Football season is almost here.
With Opening Day just a little over a month away, the Big Ten hosted football media availability in Las Vegas, and fans and media members got the chance to hear from the coaches of all 18 schools. Here’s what David Braun talked about during his time at the podium.
This article will be updated after later press conferences with Braun and Northwestern athlete representatives. These quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.
On new AD Mark Jackson: “[I] want to take
an opportunity to thank Mark Jackson, his partnership, his leadership, running our athletic department since he’s arrived in September. Could not be more grateful, more thankful for having someone in the foxhole, a true partner and just a solutions-based individual.”
On the team in general after 2024: “Our team cannot wait to get going next Wednesday. This is a special group that returned in January, humble, hungry, frustrated after the 2024 campaign, but ultimately, a group that chose to show up, get to work and make incredible change as we approach the 2025 season. It started with great leadership from the leaders on our team, hard conversations, a willingness to really evaluate everything that we do within our program and really set and establish new standards for how we operate. And all of us in this room know good teams are well-led from coaches. Great teams are well-led from players and those in the locker room. And what we see going on with our team right now is a level of accountability, a level of ownership, from the young men on our team that I could not be more excited about.”
On reasons to be excited:
Braun: "There are endless reasons to be excited about Northwestern football right now."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) July 23, 2025
Mentions Northwestern Medicine Field, the new Ryan Field, the player retention rate, the 15 transfers coming in for 2025, the hiring of Christian Sarkisian as GM and the offseason work.
On defensive end Anto Saka: “Anto truly will be one of the best defensive ends in the country next year. Forever has had a unique ability to rush the passer. Has become a well rounded defensive lineman. Every-down player, his leadership continues to grow. Will have a pivotal impact on our defense this season.”
On running back Joseph Himon II: “You go back and study our explosive plays over the last couple of years, something that shows up a lot is the ball is in Joe Himon’s hands, whether it’s on special teams or on the offense side of the ball. So excited for Zach Lujan to be able to find different ways to utilize Joe this year, get the ball in his hands and bring a truly explosive element to our backfield.”
On now-officially-anointed starting quarterback Preston Stone:
“Yes, I have been impressed with his football knowledge, his processing, his accuracy, his leadership, but what I’ve been most excited about and most impressed with is his ability to quickly build relationships with his teammates. He is someone that our team truly rallies around, enjoys being around and is a special leader, especially at that quarterback position.”
Braun: "Preston Stone will be our starting quarterback in 2025."
— Inside NU (@insidenu) July 23, 2025
During his opening statement, Braun went through a brief rundown of most positions on the team. Here’s what he had to say about each.
On the quarterback room: “So excited about the elevated play in the quarterback room coming out of spring ball, the elements that Preston has brought to that room, the development of Ryan Boe as a young quarterback in that room.”
On Jack Lausch:
Braun confirms what was expected by many: Jack Lausch is no longer with the program and will focus solely on baseball going forward.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) July 23, 2025
"We will miss his leadership. Miss having him as a part of the team, but excited and so impressed with everything that he achieved."
On the offensive line: “There’s true competitive depth in our offensive line room. The return of Caleb Tiernan at left tackle cannot be understated.”
On the running backs: “Joe Himon, Cam Porter, Caleb Komolafe, truly a backfield that has an opportunity to be impactful not only in the run game but also in the pass game.”
On the tight ends: “Our tight end room, unproven, but it’s deep. It’s diverse in terms of the skillsets that exist. It’s a room that will be utilized heavily throughout the season.”
On the wide receivers: “All you have to do is look at the stat line. Griffin Wilde, the transfer wide receiver from South Dakota State, very productive at the FCS level. [There’s an] opportunity for him to prove it in the Big Ten. The rest of that room in a lot of ways is unproven, but very talented and hungry [with a] chip on their shoulder. Excited about what that room is going to show not only the Big Ten but the country over the course of this year.”
On the defensive line: “I would argue we have one of the deepest defensive end groups in the league. Anto, Aidan Hubbard, Michael Kilbane, Richie Hagarty returning, the list goes on and on. Experienced [defensive] tackles in Carmine Bastone and Najee Story.”
On the linebackers: “Returned our starting Mike linebacker in Mac Uihlein. Mac is someone that makes everyone around him better.”
On the safeties: “Safety room is a group that’s really starting to thrive and excel. We’re going to have to find ways to get those guys on the field between Robert Fitzgerald, Damon Walters and Garner Wallace. Garner Wallace is a name to keep an eye on as someone that’s really blossomed late in his development at Northwestern.”
On the cornerbacks: “The return of Ore [Adeyi] after an injury last year, Josh Fussell really coming into his own, the addition of Fred Davis as a transfer. There’s some true depth in that corner room that we’re excited to lean into.”
More from insidenu.com:
- Northwestern Undrafted Free Agent Tracker: Austin Carr agrees to deal with the New England Patriots
- Anthony Walker Jr. drafted in the fifth round by the Indianapolis Colts
- Ifeadi Odenigbo drafted in seventh round by the Minnesota Vikings
- Northwestern basketball lands Boston College transfer A.J. Turner
- Collins, Fitzgerald extensions signal lofty goals for Northwestern
- Pat Fitzgerald agrees to new contract, will stay at Northwestern through 2026
- Chris Collins, Northwestern agree to “lengthy” contract extension
