Cam Porter wants to run it back again.
In February, the running back announced his intention to use his last year of eligibility and return to Northwestern for a sixth season. Following Saturday’s open practice at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Porter spoke about his decision to stay with the Wildcats.
“Yeah, it was definitely a tough decision,” he said. “Long talks with my family, long talks with Coach Braun. You know, but obviously I was able to come to the decision that I think returning was the best decision for me. Kind of had a bad taste in my mouth from last year. Didn’t feel like I ended on the note that I wanted to end on. And I had a long conversation with Coach Braun and after that conversation I was ready to get lifting and ready to get working as soon as we had it.
“So, I’m really excited to be back in my last year and I’m ready to, you know, take this program where we need to be and return where we need to be. Here’s you now in the system.”
Porter finished the 2024 campaign with 126 carries for 501 yards and six touchdowns. He had 23 receptions for 174 yards. He appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats.
The decision to return coincides with Northwestern hiring new running backs coach Aristotle Thompson from Cal in February. Thompson is the third coach to hold the position in Porter’s time with the Wildcats, but the running back says it hasn’t been disorienting to have another new face in the position room.
“Coach Thompson is a pro, you know what I mean?” said Porter. “He’s on us each and every day. He’s the same guy every single day. What I love about him is that he’s really big on the small details. And I think that’s what’s going to take our room to the next level this year is finding those little small details and turn those 10-yard runs into 50-yard runs, 60-yard runs.”
Another factor in that decision may be Northwestern’s transfer class, the largest in program history. The Wildcats brought in five new offensive linemen in Evan Beerntsen (South Dakota State), Matt Keeler (Texas Tech), Xavior Gray (Liberty/Akron), Jack Bailey (Colorado/Kent State), Cooper Lovelace (USC/Butler CC) and Martes Lewis (Minnesota).
Porter explained a big emphasis in the spring has been to watch film together in the off-season as they continue to build chemistry.
“We’ve got some experienced guys who’ve played a lot of football, and it’s been good to get out here with them,” Porter said. “Even some of our returning guys have taken big steps, so we’re really excited just to continue to grow in the off-season.”
The addition of former SMU quarterback Preston Stone, who joined the team in late December, may also be cementing Porter’s decision to stay. Porter said that Stone’s presence in the spring has also helped him step up his game.
Offensive coordinator Zach Lujan said Porter has been a valuable resource on the offense for helping Stone settle in.
“Yeah, he’s played as much college football as just about anybody in the country,” said Lujan. “So there’s not a look that he hasn’t seen, you know, in terms of that part of things from a big picture perspective and understands our language, understands our verbiage, understands what we’re trying to do and accomplish there.
Head coach David Braun said Saturday he is really excited about the running back room, and Lujan had similar sentiments earlier in the spring, stating that Porter will be better because Caleb Komolafe and Joseph Himon II “are not going to let him take a day off and they’re going to push everything moving forward.”
Porter expressed his excitement for the offense as the team wraps up its spring camps.
“I think it’s been really good to have an offseason fully immersed in coach’s offense and being able to really understand the scheme for what it is and what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “Even understanding some of the passing concepts too helps as well.
“So, I’m really excited to, you know, continue. We’ve got a really good spring and just got to keep moving and keep going as offense.”
