Northwestern's Chip Kelly Gives Major Praise to Running Back Transfer

Northwestern's Chip Kelly Gives Major Praise to Running Back Transfer

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Northwestern's Chip Kelly Gives Major Praise to Running Back Transfer
Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Gavin Dorsey/Roundtable Sports).

Northwestern's running back room is arguably its deepest position group this season. Redshirt junior Caleb Komolafe broke out with over 1,000 scrimmage yards last season, while Joseph Himon returns as a threat through the air and on the ground. Transfers Gavin Sawchuk (Florida State) and Mar'Kel Porter (Bowling Green) also join the fold.

Komolafe proved he could be the workhorse back, but Sawchuk adds experience from prestigious programs that could be valuable to the room. The former four-star recruit has previously played at Oklahoma and Florida State, and now, Sawchuk gets to work alongside legendary offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at Northwestern.

Kelly gave massive praise to his transfer running back on Monday.

"I think the world of Gavin," Kelly said. "He's one of the smartest young guys I've ever been around. He picks stuff up like that. He's a one-timer. You really don't have to explain anything to him more than once because he gets it the first time. He really understands the game."

Kelly said he knew the type of player he'd be getting in Sawchuk because he studied for three years under Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray, whom Kelly coached in the NFL.

Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running backGavinSawchuk(27) runs the ball past Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Kyle Louis (9) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images  
Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running backGavinSawchuk(27) runs the ball past Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Kyle Louis (9) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images  

Murray was a First Team All-Pro and the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year for the Dallas Cowboys in 2014, and played for Kelly's Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. The Sooner alum returned to his alma mater as a coach in 2020 and eventually met Sawchuk, who joined the program as a top-100 prospect and the No. 7 running back in the Class of 2022.

Kelly called Murray "meticulous" in his note-taking and attention to detail and has seen Sawchuk behave the exact same way.

"DeMarco said that you're going to get a really good one, and he wasn't lying," Kelly said. "[Sawchuk] just has to continue to improve on a daily basis. I think he can accomplish anything he wants from a goal standpoint… On a daily basis, it's just about self-improvement, and he really lives that on the practice field right now."

As a redshirt freshman for the Sooners in 2023, Sawchuk ran for 744 yards and nine touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry. He was also a threat through the air, going for 94 yards on 14 catches.

However, Sawchuk's role shrank the following year. He had just 39 rushes for 128 yards and a score, prompting him to enter the transfer portal.

Sawchuk ended up at Florida State last season, where he led all backs on the team in rushing yards. The redshirt junior totaled 607 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns before transferring to Northwestern for his final season of eligibility.

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