Northwestern University Athletics
Griffin Wilde Headlines Northwestern’s Eight Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten Selections
6/12/2026 11:48:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. — Eight Northwestern players were tabbed Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten selections, the publication announced.
Senior wide receiver Griffin Wilde headlined the list as a first team selection. Graduate student defensive lineman Jamaal Johnson was named to the second team, while redshirt junior running back Caleb Komolafe, graduate student tight end Alex Honig, graduate student linebacker Braydon Brus and graduate student safety Robert Fitzgerald garnered third team nods.
Rounding off the group, graduate student defensive back Braden Turner and graduate student running back Joseph Himon II picked up fourth team honors.
In 2025, Wilde enjoyed a breakout campaign in his first season in FBS. He recorded 71 catches for 880 yards and eight touchdown receptions in 13 games. Wilde was a third team all-conference selection last season.
Johnson, a transfer from UCF, logged 38 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack in three seasons with the Knights. Last year, he played in a career-high 12 contests.
During his first season of significant action, Komolafe rushed for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.95 yards per carry in 2025. His yardage and rushing touchdown figures set program-bests in the Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun era.
Honig, who spent the past three years at UConn, recorded 13 receptions for 162 yards and three touchdowns last season. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Bavaria, Germany, native was named to The Athletic's 2025 College Football Freaks List.
A mainstay at linebacker in 2025, Brus registered 81 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss. 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a forced fumble last season. He logged a team-high 11 tackles and a pass breakup in the GameAbove Sports Bowl victory against Central Michigan.
Fitzgerald, a 2025 All-Big Ten Second Team honoree, led the conference with 69 solo tackles last season. During his first full season at starting safety, Fitzgerald amassed 114 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, a fumble recovery and an interception.
The Wildcats leaned heavily on Turner at the nickel role last year, and the Mobile, Ala., native delivered. He posted 56 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a defensive touchdown and interception and two pass breakups.
Himon, a preseason all-conference selection at kick returner, recorded 735 all purpose yards and a rushing touchdown in 2025. He set career highs in rushing yards (486), receptions (21) and kick return average (26.2 yards) last season.
Senior wide receiver Griffin Wilde headlined the list as a first team selection. Graduate student defensive lineman Jamaal Johnson was named to the second team, while redshirt junior running back Caleb Komolafe, graduate student tight end Alex Honig, graduate student linebacker Braydon Brus and graduate student safety Robert Fitzgerald garnered third team nods.
Rounding off the group, graduate student defensive back Braden Turner and graduate student running back Joseph Himon II picked up fourth team honors.
In 2025, Wilde enjoyed a breakout campaign in his first season in FBS. He recorded 71 catches for 880 yards and eight touchdown receptions in 13 games. Wilde was a third team all-conference selection last season.
Johnson, a transfer from UCF, logged 38 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack in three seasons with the Knights. Last year, he played in a career-high 12 contests.
During his first season of significant action, Komolafe rushed for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.95 yards per carry in 2025. His yardage and rushing touchdown figures set program-bests in the Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun era.
Honig, who spent the past three years at UConn, recorded 13 receptions for 162 yards and three touchdowns last season. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Bavaria, Germany, native was named to The Athletic's 2025 College Football Freaks List.
A mainstay at linebacker in 2025, Brus registered 81 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss. 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a forced fumble last season. He logged a team-high 11 tackles and a pass breakup in the GameAbove Sports Bowl victory against Central Michigan.
Fitzgerald, a 2025 All-Big Ten Second Team honoree, led the conference with 69 solo tackles last season. During his first full season at starting safety, Fitzgerald amassed 114 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, a fumble recovery and an interception.
The Wildcats leaned heavily on Turner at the nickel role last year, and the Mobile, Ala., native delivered. He posted 56 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a defensive touchdown and interception and two pass breakups.
Himon, a preseason all-conference selection at kick returner, recorded 735 all purpose yards and a rushing touchdown in 2025. He set career highs in rushing yards (486), receptions (21) and kick return average (26.2 yards) last season.
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