Northwestern football position previews — Offensive Line

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 15: Derrick Moore #8 of the Michigan Wolverines rushes the quarterback against Ezomo Oratokhai #62 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 15, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Inside NU is back with another positional breakdown as part of its 2026 preview series! This week, we’ll analyze the offensive line, a group that has traditionally been a strength of Wildcat football in recent years.

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So far, we’ve published position previews on quarterbacks (7/6), running backs (7/15),  wide receivers (7/20)and tight ends (7/28).

Overview

Returners: Ezomo Oratokhai (R-So.), Jackson Carsello (Gr.), Deuce McGuire (Gr.), Anthony Birsa (R-Jr.), Jace Borcherding (R-So.), Dennis Rahouski (R-So.), Patrick Schaller (R-So), Idrys Cotton (R-So.), Michael O’Connell (R-Fy.), Trey Boyd (R-Fy.)

Losses: Caleb Tiernan (graduated), Evan Beerntsen (graduated), Martes Lewis (graduated), Jack Bailey (graduated), Xavior Gray (graduated), Nick Herzog (transferred to South Dakota), Matt Keeler (graduated)

Newcomers: Grant Seagren (R-Jr.), Arkel Anugwom (R-Jr.), David Anchondo (R-Jr.), Owen Fors (Fy.), Owen Jakubczak (Fy.), Jack Fuchs (Fy.), Leighton Burbach (Fy.), Hayden Flavin (Fy.), Jacob Miller (Fy.), Angelo De Sensi (Fy.), Quinn Wicklow (Fy.)

Northwestern’s offensive line endured a lot of turnover this offseason, losing arguably its two biggest 2025 contributors in tackle Caleb Tiernan and guard Evan Beerntsen. Both were selected in the NFL Draft, and with the loss of tackle Martes Lewis as well, the Wildcats will have to replace three linemen who received over 600 snaps a season ago.

Fortunately for the ‘Cats, they received a massive boost when projected starting center Jackson Carsello received a preliminary injunction to return as a graduate student in 2026. Carsello received the second-highest grade out of any Northwestern offensive lineman on PFF in 2025, scoring a 78.1 overall. He showed great versatility in pass protection while also playing as an effective run-blocker for backs such as Caleb Komolafe.

Carsello’s presence gives the Wildcats some much-needed flexibility in the trenches, as their projected starting group now includes three players (Carsello, Grant Seagren and Ezomo Oratokhai) who are among the best in the Big Ten at their respective positions. Seagren is an elite left tackle who did not allow a single sack in 2025, while Oratokhai projects to be the face of the future as a redshirt sophomore.

NU’s offensive line will be led by coach Tim Drevno this year, who replaces departing offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle. The presence of O’Boyle will certainly be missed, but Drevno is an experienced leader who has worked with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly for several seasons in the past. The ‘Cats will also maintain some continuity with the return of Ryan Olson, an impactful run-game specialist and offensive assistant who helped transform the Wildcats’ run blocking in 2025.

Key Player

Ezomo Oratokhai

Carsello and Seagren are the veteran leaders of the offensive line, but Oratokhai — despite only being a redshirt sophomore — has a case to be the best player of the trio. Oratokhai’s development is a great testament to the work of Northwestern’s offensive staff, as he leapt from making just two starts in 2024 to becoming an All-Big Ten honorable mention with an 80.7 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025. The redshirt sophomore also gained attention for his 89 overall rating in EA Sports College Football 27, the highest among any player on the Wildcats’ roster.

To make things even better, Carsello’s return to Evanston means Oratokhai will no longer be forced to switch from guard to center, allowing him to play the position he has excelled at throughout his career. Oratokhai is a perfect fit between Seagren and Carsello at left guard. He blocks with persistence and incredible strength, consistently maintaining a strong and wide base that allows him to gain momentum on his blocks as soon as the ball is snapped.

The trio of Seagren, Carsello and Oratokhai will likely be the biggest strength on Northwestern’s roster in 2026. If the depth chart pans out as projected, the Wildcats will have a feared left side of the offensive line. Seagren plays the most important position out of the three, but Oratokhai is the centerpiece of the Wildcats’ future, and he may end up being the best of the bunch in 2026 as well.

Biggest Question

Who could step up on the right side of the line?

Northwestern’s exact offensive alignment is still uncertain, as it doesn’t have a ton of options with significant experience at right tackle or right guard. Deuce McGuire will likely start at right tackle in 2026, as he saw over 200 snaps last season. McGuire did cede significant playing time to graduating tackle Martes Lewis, but both players did a solid job overall last season, so McGuire’s potential ascension to a full-time starter role is not a major cause for concern.

Right guard is by far the weakest offensive line position for the ‘Cats in 2026. Their best returning option is likely Anthony Birsa, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound redshirt junior who played mostly on special teams in 2025, although he did start two games in 2024. Redshirt sophomores Dennis Rahouski and Jace Borcherding could also look to compete for snaps, although both are mostly unproven at the college level.

Northwestern also has the option of switching things up positionally, which could lead to transfers David Anchondo or Arkel Anugwom seeing some playing time. The two depth additions have intrigue for opposite reasons — Anchondo was a four-year starter who excelled at Division II Saginaw Valley State, while Anugwom saw limited action over his past three seasons but attended Alabama in 2025. Both players fit best as tackles, so the Wildcats would likely have to switch one of McGuire, Anchondo or Anugwom from tackle to guard if the goal is to include multiple of them in the optimal starting lineup.

Overall, the offensive line looks stout entering 2026. The main question is whether it can ascend from being merely good to being elite and replicating its dominance from 2025.

Projected 2026 OL Depth Chart

Starting Tackles: LT Grant Seagren and RT Deuce McGuire

Starting Guards: LG Ezomo Oratokhai and RG Anthony Birsa

Starting Center: Jackson Carsello

Second-String Tackles: David Anchondo and Arkel Anugwom

Second-String Guards: Dennis Rahouski and Jace Borcherding

Second-String Center: Ezomo Oratokhai

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