While most of the National Signing Day attention is focused on the top recruits and the biggest programs in the country, Northwestern quietly went about their business Wednesday morning.
The Wildcats started and finished before most people in Chicago were even at work. All told, Northwestern received 19 national letters of intent from all over the country. Pat Fitzgerald had his class in place by 7:36 a.m.
From nusports.com:
Every year this is an exciting day for the future of our football family, but more importantly a transformational day for these young men and their families, said Fitzgerald. Each will contribute to our pursuit of a Big Ten championship on the field, and earn the best education in college football. Our staff has had the opportunity to get to know each recruit extensively over the last several years, and we look forward to welcoming them to Evanston this summer.
As each recruit became official, Fitzgerald informed fans on Twitter with an individual video for each player.
We'll always start and end our recruiting in Chicago. Excited that @EricEshoo is part of the hometown team. #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/XAjRjjJITC
— Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51) February 3, 2016
It's always good when the Ohio Offensive Player of the Year joins the #B1GCats! Jeremy Larkin is a 'Cat! pic.twitter.com/TzR8YIIQqF
— Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51) February 3, 2016
Signed and sealed. The #B1GCats got our quarterback in @Aidan_Smith10. Welcome to the family! pic.twitter.com/IdsmpEweqc
— Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51) February 3, 2016
Of the 22 players joining the Wildcats, including two walk-ons and an early enrollee, exactly half are offensive players with nine on defense and two more specialists.
Unlike most schools who need to focus on getting the best recruits from their state, Northwestern branched across the country. Most notably, they pulled in eight from Ohio and four from Texas, both considered hot-beds of football talent.
Northwestern is coming off of their first 10-win season since 2012. They finished second in the Big 10 West, but lost 21 seniors.
