After having an impressive 2023 campaign in David Braun’s first year as head coach, going 8-5 and defeating the Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl, the Northwestern Wildcats took a step back in 2024. The Wildcats finished the regular season 4-8, with a 2-7 record in conference games, and 16th overall in the Big 10. Since they did not win at least six games, they did not qualify for a bowl game.
Due to their season-ending, a handful of players decided to enter the transfer portal. Highlighting one of their three players to leave their program is their star offensive player.
The Northwestern Wildcats star OL revealed his plans for 2025
According to Pete Nakos of On3, Wildcats’ star offensive lineman Josh Thompson will enter the transfer portal. Thompson, a redshirt junior, has one final year of eligibility as a grad transfer. Because of his talent and versatility, he should draw interest from many Power Four teams.
Northwestern right tackle Josh Thompson has entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.
The 6-5, 301-pound OL was the No. 2 guard in B1G in 2024 per PFF. https://t.co/wMrfFrcNOy pic.twitter.com/JscCytb5V8
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 4, 2024
A quick review of his CFB career
Josh Thompson committed to the Northwestern Wildcats as a three-star recruit for the 2021 season. After redshirting in his true freshman season and not starting in his first two seasons, Thompson took over as a starter on the offensive line. He played 13 games and started 11 at right tackle in his redshirt sophomore season, surrendering 27 pressures, 19 hurries, six QB hits, two sacks allowed, and posting a 58.5 overall PFF grade.
Thompson performed much better during his redshirt junior season, where he started ten games at right guard. He had a career-low eight pressures, six hurries, two QB hits, zero sacks allowed, and a career-high 74.9 overall PFF grade, the second-highest among guards who played at least 20% of snaps in the Big 10. His efforts earned him an All-Big 10 honorable mention.
Which Power Four team lands the graduate transfer?
