Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Michelle Nartey/Northwestern Athletics
Griffin Wilde Sets Sights on Bowl Game After All-Big Ten Campaign, Improbable Journey to Northwestern
12/24/2025 9:49:00 AM | Football
Junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde and Northwestern held an early 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but by the time the team's offense took the Wrigley Field turf to open the second half, the script was flipped on its head.
It was Nov. 22, with the Wildcats taking on Minnesota. They had five wins, one short of bowl eligibility, with a 28-13 deficit. It started to look like Northwestern would have to look toward its season finale to secure a bid to a bowl game.
But after Wide Receivers Coach Armon Binns had challenged Wilde to help lead a comeback, the 6-foot-2 receiver started to torch the Gopher defense. According to Binns, as Northwestern continued to cut the lead, Wilde's eyes progressively beamed brighter with confidence that said, 'There's nobody on the field that can stop me.'
Soon enough, Wilde played a key role in a miraculous comeback that unfolded at The Friendly Confines, as the Wildcats stormed back for a 38-35 victory.
"We'd score on offense, and I'd go over to the defense's benches, and just be like, 'Give us the ball back. One more, guys. Let's just keep going, picking away.' It was a cycle of that," Wilde said.
Wilde finished the contest with season-highs 11 catches — the most by a Wildcat wide receiver since 2018 — and 117 receiving yards to help Northwestern secure bowl eligibility, ultimately guaranteeing a spot in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
Over the duration of the full season, Wilde played in all 12 games and tallied 61 catches for 783 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns en route to an All-Big Ten Third Team nod. His 783 yards marked the most by a Northwestern player since 2016, when Austin Carr led the conference with 1,247 yards.
In the months before the Wildcats' comeback at the Friendly Confines, Wilde already showcased why his transition from the FCS to FBS would be seamless. The All-Big Ten honoree proved to be one of the most reliable, consistent wideouts in the nation, as he posted 50+ yards in nine games.
"I thought I would have this success," Wilde said. "As a competitor, you obviously want to be the best. You don't want anyone else to be better than you, so I set high goals and standards for myself this year."
At every stage of his football career, Wilde has been a key factor in winning. In addition to helping Northwestern return to a bowl game this season, he won a high school state championship in just his school's second year of existence and played a crucial role in securing a national championship during his freshman season at South Dakota State.
Through it all, Wilde's relentless desire to improve has driven his success. A recruit with no stars and only a handful of offers coming out of high school, Wilde has consistently embraced the "practice how you play" mantra.
"I firmly believe he is one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country. It's a credit to his skillset, but it's also a credit to who he is," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "The guy you get on a Monday night practice and the guy that you get on Saturday in primetime, they're the same guy. They're competitive. They're detail-oriented."
Constant improvement each day fuels the Sioux Falls, S.D. native, who has long held the dream of playing professional football.
"I have to hone in on my craft and every weakness that's in my game," Wilde said. "I have to do whatever I can to make sure that weakness isn't going to hold me back or stop me from accomplishing my goals, so whether it's maybe getting a little bigger, just finishing the tougher catches, things like that, I just need to continue to work on to just become the best version of myself."
As the Wildcats have prepared for their bout with Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, Wilde and his teammates have focused on maintaining their competitive spirit in practice. With the team aiming for its seventh win of the season, the trip to Detroit is strictly business.
By getting in as many reps as possible, Wilde is embracing Braun's message to "dominate the postseason."
"We're going to Detroit to win this game," Wilde said. "We're not going to just mess around and be happy that we're there and that we get to spend a week in Detroit. We're going to win this game."
***
Jefferson High School opened its doors for the first-ever day of classes on Aug. 26, 2021. Wilde was just one of over 1,400 students on campus.
On the football field, the Cavaliers performed like a team that was coming together for the first time, finishing with just a 4-6 record. But Wilde starred, taking home 11AAA First Team All-State honors. The then-junior tallied 54 receptions for 912 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
With the team slim on depth, Wilde suited up all over the field for Jefferson. In addition to playing wide receiver, he appeared at quarterback, running back, defensive back, and even defensive end.
"He was willing to do anything to win the game," Jefferson coach Vince Benedetto said. "I think in the world of athletics today, it's a lot of 'Oh, look at me culture.' Griffin didn't give a crap about himself. He just wanted to win."
Soon enough, Wilde and his teammates pledged to win. Over the summer before the 2022 season, they committed to winning the state championship.
"Everyone kind of bought in," Wilde said. "I remember the weight rooms, and five or six of the best players turned into leaders and were pushing everybody on the team to become the best versions of themselves."
The first game of the season pitted Jefferson against Harrisburg High School, the defending state champions. A blowout ensued, as Wilde and the Cavaliers won 43-13 for the first win in their 12-0 season.
In the state semifinal, Wilde returned from an injury that forced him to miss a few games and immediately made a game-breaking impact. He caught six passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-20 win to advance to the state final. In a rematch against Harrisburg, Jefferson dominated, 48-21, to secure the title.
"He just had that instinct and the 'it' factor' that you really can't coach," Benedetto said of Wilde. "Some kids have it. Some kids don't. And when the stakes were high, he was going to perform his best."
After winning a state championship, Wilde stayed within the state and began playing college ball at South Dakota State, choosing the university over four other offers. Wilde grew up as a lifelong Jackrabbit fan, attending games and even having the team's logo embroidered on his childhood bedroom wall.
During fall camp, South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers pulled Wilde into his office. He informed the wideout that he would not be redshirting his freshman campaign — an unforgettable moment for Wilde.
"I didn't expect it," Wilde said. "Obviously, as an 18-year-old kid, that's really exciting to hear that you get to play football your first year there."
Wilde recorded 20 catches for 399 yards and six touchdowns on the year, helping the Jackrabbits win their second consecutive national championship. While reaching unprecedented heights in his football career, Wilde still sought more.
"What is weird about winning a national championship is you expect more than it is," Wilde said. "After the game, within the next week, you're kind of like, 'Yeah, I accomplished that.' But it's kind of cool because then you're like, 'Oh, onto next year. Let's go do it again.'"
With a summer focused on refining his craft, Wilde took the leap to become one of the top receivers in the FCS, as he logged 71 receptions, 1,154 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. The game slowed down multiple notches for Wilde, who ranked seventh nationally in receiving yards, but South Dakota State fell in the national semifinals.
After the season concluded, Wilde made one of the toughest decisions of his life. He entered the transfer portal.
***
Early one morning, the sound of a ringing phone woke up Wilde. Barely awake, he glanced at the caller ID.
Calling him was Northwestern Offensive Coordinator Zach Lujan, who served as South Dakota State's offensive coordinator during Wilde's freshman season.
Relief engulfed Wilde.
Ahead of the call, Wilde had his name in the transfer portal. The world became chaotic for the pass catcher in search of a new home, but Lujan brought calm to the storm.
"I saw Coach Lujan's name on there, and it was kind of a calming effect when I answered the phone, just hearing his voice," Wilde said. "Just talking to Coach Lujan, it was a relief during that time. Here's someone I know and can trust and can just talk about how everything's going."
Lujan didn't deliver a formal pitch. Instead, he simply offered his former player to Evanston for a visit.
Wilde accepted, and upon arriving on Northwestern's campus, he took a seat alongside his parents in Lujan's office. To his shock, Lujan didn't start talking about football. He asked about Wilde's life, his family and his experiences. Afterward, Wilde asked for a moment alone with his parents.
"This feels right," Wilde told his parents. "It kind of feels like when I committed to SDSU, a home feeling."
What was supposed to follow Wilde's trip to Evanston was a flight to North Carolina for a visit to UNC. Instead, Wilde committed to Northwestern before leaving campus.
If you told a freshman-year Wilde this was how his collegiate career would've played out so far — that he would end up leaving South Dakota State, he wouldn't have believed you.
"When I got to SDSU, I thought I'd be there my entire career," Wilde said. "But my goal has always been to play in the NFL. I believed this gave me the best chance to chase that dream."
That belief has been reinforced throughout the season. As the 2025 season progressed, Binns has consistently challenged Wilde to elevate his game and leadership. Having coached several standout receivers in Evanston, Binns sees Wilde as a blend of the program's recent greats.
"I've coached really, really explosive guys like A.J. Henning, who can take the top off, who can do things with the ball in their hands. I've coached elite route runners like Bryce Kirtz, guys with incredible ball skills, and then a physical presence like Cam Johnson — the contested catches and the route running as well. With Griff, he's a combination of all of it. He's got the size. He's got the speed. He's got the ball skills. The route running is exceptional," Binns said.
Wilde enters the bowl game needing five receptions and 79 yards to crack Northwestern's top-10 single-season receiving lists.
But when Wilde takes the field on Friday, stats won't be the priority for him. He wants to enjoy his last ride with the teammates he's battled alongside all year.
"He literally doesn't care about stats," Benedetto said. "He just wants to win, and that's what makes him special."
It was Nov. 22, with the Wildcats taking on Minnesota. They had five wins, one short of bowl eligibility, with a 28-13 deficit. It started to look like Northwestern would have to look toward its season finale to secure a bid to a bowl game.
But after Wide Receivers Coach Armon Binns had challenged Wilde to help lead a comeback, the 6-foot-2 receiver started to torch the Gopher defense. According to Binns, as Northwestern continued to cut the lead, Wilde's eyes progressively beamed brighter with confidence that said, 'There's nobody on the field that can stop me.'
Soon enough, Wilde played a key role in a miraculous comeback that unfolded at The Friendly Confines, as the Wildcats stormed back for a 38-35 victory.
GRIFF GETS OPEN ??
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 22, 2025
??: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/JqJqUhzDhi
"We'd score on offense, and I'd go over to the defense's benches, and just be like, 'Give us the ball back. One more, guys. Let's just keep going, picking away.' It was a cycle of that," Wilde said.
Wilde finished the contest with season-highs 11 catches — the most by a Wildcat wide receiver since 2018 — and 117 receiving yards to help Northwestern secure bowl eligibility, ultimately guaranteeing a spot in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
Over the duration of the full season, Wilde played in all 12 games and tallied 61 catches for 783 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns en route to an All-Big Ten Third Team nod. His 783 yards marked the most by a Northwestern player since 2016, when Austin Carr led the conference with 1,247 yards.
In the months before the Wildcats' comeback at the Friendly Confines, Wilde already showcased why his transition from the FCS to FBS would be seamless. The All-Big Ten honoree proved to be one of the most reliable, consistent wideouts in the nation, as he posted 50+ yards in nine games.
"I thought I would have this success," Wilde said. "As a competitor, you obviously want to be the best. You don't want anyone else to be better than you, so I set high goals and standards for myself this year."
At every stage of his football career, Wilde has been a key factor in winning. In addition to helping Northwestern return to a bowl game this season, he won a high school state championship in just his school's second year of existence and played a crucial role in securing a national championship during his freshman season at South Dakota State.
Through it all, Wilde's relentless desire to improve has driven his success. A recruit with no stars and only a handful of offers coming out of high school, Wilde has consistently embraced the "practice how you play" mantra.
"I firmly believe he is one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country. It's a credit to his skillset, but it's also a credit to who he is," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "The guy you get on a Monday night practice and the guy that you get on Saturday in primetime, they're the same guy. They're competitive. They're detail-oriented."
Going Wilde ?? pic.twitter.com/hJeCUQOjwB
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 11, 2025
Constant improvement each day fuels the Sioux Falls, S.D. native, who has long held the dream of playing professional football.
"I have to hone in on my craft and every weakness that's in my game," Wilde said. "I have to do whatever I can to make sure that weakness isn't going to hold me back or stop me from accomplishing my goals, so whether it's maybe getting a little bigger, just finishing the tougher catches, things like that, I just need to continue to work on to just become the best version of myself."
As the Wildcats have prepared for their bout with Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, Wilde and his teammates have focused on maintaining their competitive spirit in practice. With the team aiming for its seventh win of the season, the trip to Detroit is strictly business.
By getting in as many reps as possible, Wilde is embracing Braun's message to "dominate the postseason."
"We're going to Detroit to win this game," Wilde said. "We're not going to just mess around and be happy that we're there and that we get to spend a week in Detroit. We're going to win this game."
***
Jefferson High School opened its doors for the first-ever day of classes on Aug. 26, 2021. Wilde was just one of over 1,400 students on campus.
On the football field, the Cavaliers performed like a team that was coming together for the first time, finishing with just a 4-6 record. But Wilde starred, taking home 11AAA First Team All-State honors. The then-junior tallied 54 receptions for 912 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
With the team slim on depth, Wilde suited up all over the field for Jefferson. In addition to playing wide receiver, he appeared at quarterback, running back, defensive back, and even defensive end.
"He was willing to do anything to win the game," Jefferson coach Vince Benedetto said. "I think in the world of athletics today, it's a lot of 'Oh, look at me culture.' Griffin didn't give a crap about himself. He just wanted to win."
Soon enough, Wilde and his teammates pledged to win. Over the summer before the 2022 season, they committed to winning the state championship.
"Everyone kind of bought in," Wilde said. "I remember the weight rooms, and five or six of the best players turned into leaders and were pushing everybody on the team to become the best versions of themselves."
The first game of the season pitted Jefferson against Harrisburg High School, the defending state champions. A blowout ensued, as Wilde and the Cavaliers won 43-13 for the first win in their 12-0 season.
In the state semifinal, Wilde returned from an injury that forced him to miss a few games and immediately made a game-breaking impact. He caught six passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-20 win to advance to the state final. In a rematch against Harrisburg, Jefferson dominated, 48-21, to secure the title.
"He just had that instinct and the 'it' factor' that you really can't coach," Benedetto said of Wilde. "Some kids have it. Some kids don't. And when the stakes were high, he was going to perform his best."
After winning a state championship, Wilde stayed within the state and began playing college ball at South Dakota State, choosing the university over four other offers. Wilde grew up as a lifelong Jackrabbit fan, attending games and even having the team's logo embroidered on his childhood bedroom wall.
During fall camp, South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers pulled Wilde into his office. He informed the wideout that he would not be redshirting his freshman campaign — an unforgettable moment for Wilde.
"I didn't expect it," Wilde said. "Obviously, as an 18-year-old kid, that's really exciting to hear that you get to play football your first year there."
Wilde recorded 20 catches for 399 yards and six touchdowns on the year, helping the Jackrabbits win their second consecutive national championship. While reaching unprecedented heights in his football career, Wilde still sought more.
"What is weird about winning a national championship is you expect more than it is," Wilde said. "After the game, within the next week, you're kind of like, 'Yeah, I accomplished that.' But it's kind of cool because then you're like, 'Oh, onto next year. Let's go do it again.'"
With a summer focused on refining his craft, Wilde took the leap to become one of the top receivers in the FCS, as he logged 71 receptions, 1,154 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. The game slowed down multiple notches for Wilde, who ranked seventh nationally in receiving yards, but South Dakota State fell in the national semifinals.
After the season concluded, Wilde made one of the toughest decisions of his life. He entered the transfer portal.
***
Early one morning, the sound of a ringing phone woke up Wilde. Barely awake, he glanced at the caller ID.
Calling him was Northwestern Offensive Coordinator Zach Lujan, who served as South Dakota State's offensive coordinator during Wilde's freshman season.
Relief engulfed Wilde.
Ahead of the call, Wilde had his name in the transfer portal. The world became chaotic for the pass catcher in search of a new home, but Lujan brought calm to the storm.
"I saw Coach Lujan's name on there, and it was kind of a calming effect when I answered the phone, just hearing his voice," Wilde said. "Just talking to Coach Lujan, it was a relief during that time. Here's someone I know and can trust and can just talk about how everything's going."
Lujan didn't deliver a formal pitch. Instead, he simply offered his former player to Evanston for a visit.
Wilde accepted, and upon arriving on Northwestern's campus, he took a seat alongside his parents in Lujan's office. To his shock, Lujan didn't start talking about football. He asked about Wilde's life, his family and his experiences. Afterward, Wilde asked for a moment alone with his parents.
"This feels right," Wilde told his parents. "It kind of feels like when I committed to SDSU, a home feeling."
What was supposed to follow Wilde's trip to Evanston was a flight to North Carolina for a visit to UNC. Instead, Wilde committed to Northwestern before leaving campus.
Found a new home! Let's get to work! @DavidBraunFB @CoachLujan @ArmonBinns pic.twitter.com/IfO18yfdQB
— Griffin Wilde (@GriffinWilde1) January 4, 2025
If you told a freshman-year Wilde this was how his collegiate career would've played out so far — that he would end up leaving South Dakota State, he wouldn't have believed you.
"When I got to SDSU, I thought I'd be there my entire career," Wilde said. "But my goal has always been to play in the NFL. I believed this gave me the best chance to chase that dream."
That belief has been reinforced throughout the season. As the 2025 season progressed, Binns has consistently challenged Wilde to elevate his game and leadership. Having coached several standout receivers in Evanston, Binns sees Wilde as a blend of the program's recent greats.
"I've coached really, really explosive guys like A.J. Henning, who can take the top off, who can do things with the ball in their hands. I've coached elite route runners like Bryce Kirtz, guys with incredible ball skills, and then a physical presence like Cam Johnson — the contested catches and the route running as well. With Griff, he's a combination of all of it. He's got the size. He's got the speed. He's got the ball skills. The route running is exceptional," Binns said.
Wilde enters the bowl game needing five receptions and 79 yards to crack Northwestern's top-10 single-season receiving lists.
But when Wilde takes the field on Friday, stats won't be the priority for him. He wants to enjoy his last ride with the teammates he's battled alongside all year.
"He literally doesn't care about stats," Benedetto said. "He just wants to win, and that's what makes him special."
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Football - GameAbove Sports Bowl Postgame Press Conference (12/26/25)
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Friday, December 26
