Cam Porter out for season
Northwestern head coach David Braun today delivered the news that was both dreaded and expected: graduate running back Cam Porter is out for the season.
The sixth-year veteran and team captain was hurt in the third quarter of the Wildcats’ 42-7 win over Western Illinois on Friday night with what the program called a “lower body injury.” After a brief stay in the sideline medical tent, he was then carted off the field. He later returned to the sideline on crutches.
Porter, who rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown against the Leathernecks, is no stranger to season-ending injuries. He suffered an ACL tear in fall camp in 2021 and missed that entire season.
Braun talked at his press conference about what Porter meant to the team. Porter and former linebacker Paddy Fisher are the only two players in school history to be named a captain three times.
“All of us are crushed for Cam,” he said. “There’s no one that’s worked harder, invested more in our program…there is no one more suited and prepared to have a profound impact on their team. He understands his purpose is bigger than football.”
He continued, “I don’t know what the Lord has in store for Cam, more football or professional life, but that dude’s future is bright… He makes every room and organization better because he’s part of it.”
Porter burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2020 for the Wildcats’ Big Ten West championship team. The Cincinnati LaSalle product ran for a career-best 142 yards in the regular season finale against Illinois, made his first career start in the Big Ten championship game and racked up a career-high 33 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats’ 35-19 Citrus Bowl win over Auburn.
He tore his ACL during fall camp in 2021 and missed the entire season. Even though he never regained the explosiveness of his freshman campaign, he still rushed for 1,444 yards and 12 touchdowns over the next three seasons.
For his career, Porter amassed 1,908 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing in 45 games. He added 63 catches for 425 and one more score as a receiver.
More than those statistics, however, Porter’s legacy will be his captainship. He was elected a captain by his teammates for each of the last three seasons. He also wore the coveted No. 1 jersey for the Wildcats last season as “a player who embodies the character of Northwestern’s program as decided by his teammates.”
“I’m emotional because I feel for him,” said Braun. “But it’s true he’ll continue to be one of the best captains we’ve ever had.”
