Northwestern Football: Previewing the Wildcats offense for 2017
By Ian Blum
Previewing the Northwestern Wildcats offense for the 2017 season.
In 2015, the Northwestern Wildcats were dead last in the Big Ten in points per game and yards per game. Last season they showed signs of improvement and everything appears ready to fall into place in 2017.
Every football team needs an effective quarterback in order to have an elite offensive unit. The Trevor Siemain era did not end the way Wildcats wanted it to as injuries and a subpar receiving core made life difficult.
Veteran signal caller
Once Siemian moved on to the NFL, it was time for Clayton Thorson to take the reins. Slowly but surely, the improvement of the Thorson’s play could be seen. Last year he threw for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions. If he keeps his current pace I have no doubts that he will be able to compete for All-Big Ten Honors and be the best at his position in the conference.
Thorson coming back for his junior season will help. But the man who makes Thorson’s life easier is a power running back that could hear his name called in the 2018 NFL Draft, senior Justin Jackson.
Absolute star
Over the last three seasons, Jackson has been a monster, hidden in by the rest of the Big Ten’s All-American talent. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards each year and has over lived in the end zone. If not for Ezekiel Elliott, among others, Jackson would’ve been the premier back in the Big Ten years ago. Despite the presence of Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, I believe Jackson has a chance to be the best running back in the conference in 2017.
The Wildcats will have nothing but juniors and seniors in the trenches this fall. Experience does wonders for an offensive line. This group features the likes of junior Tommy Doles and senior center Brad North. Flynn Nagel and fellow junior Jalen Brown highlight the wide receiver position in 2017. They lost breakout player Austin Carr in the offseason but will look to build on the success they had as a unit this fall.
Next: Ranking the Big Ten 2017 football recruiting classes
Experience is something Northwestern has not had on offense for a long time. This unit has been three years in the making and they are ready to make serious noise. Look out for the Northwestern offense in 2017.