Matthew Shelton

Nick Martinelli for the win!

Saka on going up against Caleb Tiernan in practice: "It's dog versus dog. He's, in my opinion, the best tackle in the country right now. He gets me better every single day."

"I'm intentionally keeping our staff at a distance...it doesn't matter how much money you get paid, the best players have to play...if you make coaching decisions because [a player is] making the most money, that's not a winning formula." -Braun cont.

New Bleav in Northwestern podcast! 🚨 Fresh off of the Cats’ appearance at Big Ten media days, @M_Shelton33 joins the show to talk about: 🏈 Preston Stone named as starting QB 🏈 David Braun going into Year 3 🏈 NU’s approach to revenue sharing and plenty more! Links below:

ICYMI yesterday, here is @M_Shelton33's notebook from Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, discussing Northwestern football's revenue share, the new GM, Preston Stone and expanded roles for Joseph Himon II and Anto Saka. A must read.⬇️on3.com/sites/wildcat-…

Nearly 40 minutes of David Braun and 30 minutes from the three player reps. Ultimately, a great look at what the Wildcats had to say in Las Vegas. Full Media Day podium transcripts for @WildcatReport subscribers at the link below. on3.com/boards/threads…

Great view of how far the stands and interior have come at the new Ryan Field ⬇️

"I think it's a good feeling to know who our guy is going into the fall. It gives us a sense of confidence and calm. Preston brings a ton of experience." -Himon on knowing the starting QB during the summer

Going back over the transcript this morning and a pretty pointed quote from Braun re Theran Johnson, who transferred to Oregon:

Here's what our @M_Shelton33 learned today at Big Ten Media Days in Vegas about Northwestern football's revenue share, new GM Christian Sarkisian, QB @_prestonstone and the expanded roles of @theantsaka and @JosephHimon. on3.com/sites/wildcat-…

"I feel very confident in the receivers right now...those guys are incredibly hungry and willing to listen to me and their quarterbacks...they don't have a huge ego, but they still have a ton of confidence in themselves. That's what makes them special." -Stone on WR room

"Coming in as a transfer my main priority is to build as much credibility as I can...going into spring ball, the division of reps was very even between myself, Boe and Lausch. I can't say enough about how nice those guys have been...definitely wish the best to Lausch." -Stone

Joseph Himon II said he'll continue to handle return duties while taking on a larger role in the offense. With running back Cam Porter returning, too, Himon said we will see more of him in the slot this season. Himon is also up about five pounds from last season

"Northwestern has been home to me, I'm going into my fourth year, my entire time in college football. The relationships I have here, what we're building...I see the vision here. We're locked in, we're going to make something shake this year." -Saka on returning to Northwestern

As mentioned on BTN, Anto Saka is up 15 pounds from last year: "If I'm going to help this team to the best of my ability, I need to be available on first and second down more consistently. I made that goal to get my weight up and be more physical." -Saka

"I'll steal from Dabo Swinney, I'm an overbeliever. Northwestern has done tremendous things over the years...the long term projection of this program is something I'm really excited about." -Braun on if NU can be Big Ten title competitive using only rev share money

"I don't know if I can answer that right now, it's all moving so fast. We have to continue to be strategic...I'm really excited about the plan we have for the revenue share." -Braun on if NU will explore/enable compensation outside the $20.5 million House cap

"We're talking about [collective rules] but then we're focusing on what's important now. These were conversations back in March and February that we got in the weeds with, but what's important now is preparing our team to beat Tulane." -Braun on changing NIL collective rules

"I've decided to put a complete buffer [to finances]. That's why I'm so excited for Christian Sarkisian [as GM]. I got into coaching to have a positive impact on young people, to teach, coach, mentor, help them reach their fullest potential." -Braun on his role with House/NIL

It sounds like the era of Win the West, Win the Big Ten, Win Our Bowl Game is over. Braun: "No. 1 goal on our goal board: earn a Northwestern degree. No. 2: Win the Big Ten Championship No. 3: Make the CFP"