​EA Sports has just released the third edition of its college football video game, College Football 27, a mere 51 days before the season kicks off. It’s time to take a closer look at how this title rates an intriguing Northwestern squad. Before we get into the weeds, one major caveat needs addressing. Jackson Carsello isn’t in the game yet. It’s entirely possible (and likely) that he appears after a couple of patches and updates, but for now the Northwestern roster reflects the spring snapshot rather than the latest roster moves.
For fans of the ‘Cats, the bigger questions aren’t about the depth chart as a whole but about the roster’s most pivotal pieces: Can Caleb Komolafe sustain a breakout season? How will Robert Fitzgerald’s tenacity translate onto the field? And perhaps the most pressing worry, will EA give Aidan Chiles the chance to rebound from a subpar season?
Here are some answers. The offensive outlook feels pretty accurate given the team’s inherent volatility. Northwestern fields one of the better backfield groups in the Big Ten, though it hovers just below the elite tiers seen at programs like Ohio State or Oregon. It’s not a weak position, by any means. The offense did lose its lead back, Cam Porter, after last season’s game against FCS Western Michigan, but the ground game isn’t without stalwarts. Komolafe has shown bursts that started to emerge in Week 4, and Joseph Himon II has proven to be a versatile contributor even as Braun’s personnel options tightened. The addition of Gavin Sawchuk, a transfer from Florida State’s top rushing attack in the ACC, creates a capable three-headed backfield that can take some pressure off Komolafe and expand Chip Kelly’s play-calling repertoire.
Where Northwestern faces questions is in the passing game. The ‘Cats boasted only one top-30 receiver in the Big Ten last season, Griffin Wilde, who earned All-Conference third-team honors with 71 receptions for 880 yards over 13 starts. The next closest was Hayden Eligon II, who totaled 37 catches for 521 yards; a sizable portion of Wilde’s production—about half—came in the season’s final stretch. It’s fair to approach those numbers with caution, especially considering Preston Stone’s first full year as a Power Five starter included some growing pains. It wasn’t until the bowl-clinching performance against Minnesota that his confidence appeared to stabilize and his “SMU swagger” resurfaced.
Braun and Kelly seem intent on riding the strengths of the Stone–Wilde connection in 2027, hoping it remains a cornerstone of the aerial attack. WR1 and WR2 appear to be the core, with Drew Wagner potentially providing a slot-based wild card. Wagner offers a different kind of threat—deep speed in the middle of the field—that could unlock more horizontal and vertical options for the offense, much like Wilde did when healthy.
Speed and athleticism matter on this squad, and the numbers reflect that. Consider Ezomo Oratokhai’s profile, which hints at the trust Braun places in him to help drive the offense and contribute in high-leverage situations. His attributes—SPD: 68, STR: 95, AGI: 71, ACC: 77, INJ: 96, AWR: 88—suggest a player who can be a valuable contributor in both the running and receiving games, while delivering a level of toughness that aligns with Northwestern’s balanced attack.
All things considered, Northwestern’s 2027 outlook in College Football 27 presents a compelling, if uneven, picture. The ground game is robust enough to carry the offense when needed, particularly with Komolafe leading the way and Sawchuk providing a meaningful counterpunch. The passing game, by contrast, remains a question mark, hinging on the development of Stone’s accuracy, Wilde’s continued production, and the emergence of secondary targets who can consistently help spread the field. If Carsello eventually makes it into the game, Northwestern could see a modest bump in overall rating, but for now the spring roster, the current skill development, and the coaching staff’s faith in their playmakers set the tone for a season that could swing either way depending on how quickly the passing game comes together.