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Optimism abounds this season for the Northwestern Wildcats football team ahead of its opening game against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Sept. 5, a game that will feature potential star QB Aidan Chiles against a rising FCS star, Chase Mason.

On Tuesday, Wildcats head coach David Braun named Chiles one of his team's six captains for the season, alongside two defensive players and three other offensive players.

The Wildcats' newly formed leadership group will be tasked with preparing the team for a season that Braun and athletic director Mark Jackson hope will redefine expectations for the long-time Big Ten football program. 

Chiles Joined by Five Others as Team Captains 

Chiles was joined by linebacker Braydon Brus, offensive lineman Jackson Carsello, defensive back Robert Fitzgerald, running back Joseph Himon II and wide receiver Griffin Wilde, according to a release from NUSports.com. 

Brus enters his fifth college football season, all of them with the Wildcats, as a 6-foot-1, 230 pound linebacker. 

He had his most productive season by far last year with the team, racking up 81 combined tackles along with four passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

Carsello is also a fifth-year senior and expected to anchor offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's offensive line. 

The 6-foot-4, 300 pound guard has played in 36 games, all of them with Northwestern. 

Fitzgerald is a Bednarik Award candidate for the nation's best defensive player who helps lead the Wildcats secondary as a safety. 

He has more tackles to his name than any Big Ten returnee and was second in the country in solo tackles last season with 70. 

Himon II is another fifth-year senior and a versatile backfield player who had 486 yards rushing and 118 yards receiving last season. 

Wilde is a Biletnikoff Award candidate for the nation's best receiver who is expected to be the top target for Chiles, the team's newly crowned starting quarterback. 

Wilde amassed 880 receiving yards in 2025, the most by any NU player since 2016. He also won the GameAbove Sports Bowl MVP for his 10-reception, 97 yard performance against the Central Michigan Chippewas, a Northwestern victory. 

Chiles was a captain for the Michigan State Spartans last season on coach Jonathan Smith's team and led Smith's team with six rushing touchdowns. 

TV Coverage Announced for Opener

The Wildcats' opener against the South Dakokta State Jackrabbits has caught the attention of head coach David Braun, who cautioned his team to focus on every play with their full attention heading into the season.

The game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5 and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network, according to NUSports.com.  

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