Hunter Welcing’s Journey: From Northwestern to Ohio State

Hunter Welcing, a graduate of Lake Zurich in 2020, has faced significant challenges during his football career. Despite two major knee injuries, he struggled to secure a position on Northwestern’s depth chart as a tight end. As the 2025 season advanced, Welcing’s fortune began to change. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 246 pounds, he finally found his stride with the Wildcats. After careful consideration and successfully petitioning for another year of eligibility, he transferred to Ohio State, ready to play for a national championship contender.

“It’ll be exciting because I’ve never really participated in some of the big games we are used to playing in,” said Welcing about joining the Buckeyes, who secured the national title after the 2024 season. During his five-year tenure at Northwestern, Welcing had limited opportunities to play. He was inactive during 2020, took part in five games before redshirting in 2021, endured a second ACL tear in his right knee in 2022 which led to another redshirt year, and played mostly on special teams in 2023 and 2024.

Welcing’s breakthrough began in the second game of the 2025 season, when he scored his first career touchdown against Western Illinois on September 5. “That’s when I saw everything I worked for come to light,” he remarked. “It was a precision catch in the corner. My family was emotional in the stands.”

By the season’s end, Welcing achieved 28 catches for 296 yards, the highest for a Northwestern tight end since 2017, earning an All-Big Ten honorable mention. Hands-on with these achievements, Welcing and his agent, Alex Guminski, explored his NFL potential. The feedback, however, suggested that an additional year of game footage would be more beneficial. As a result, early January saw Welcing enter the transfer portal, initiating his move even before officially receiving an extra year.

“The first day in the portal was overwhelming, but in a fortunate sense,” he said. “Traveling to Ohio State the next day with my parents, the choice seemed clear. It met all criteria promptly.” His chapter at Northwestern, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, had come to a close. “Leaving was emotional,” he said. “Yet, I recognized the need to learn new fundamentals from top-notch coaches and players.”

Welcing’s acclimation to Ohio State brought fresh insights. The removal of the black stripe from his helmet on April 13 marked his acceptance into the program. “Initially, I felt out of depth,” he admitted. “Adapting took effort as everyone here exceeds the usual physical attributes. This pushed me to develop further.”

Coach Ron Planz, reflecting on Welcing’s early career at Lake Zurich, observed, “His commitment to return and play his senior year after an ACL injury speaks volumes of his character.” During his senior year, Welcing featured in a playoff game, marking a memorable touchdown.

His time in Evanston involved overcoming various injuries and building strength, aided by Northwestern’s director of football sports performance, Alex Spanos. “Hunter manages adversity exceptionally well,” said Spanos. “His resolve alongside his work ethic paved the way for his success.”

The Wildcats, now viewing Welcing as an opponent, will face Ohio State on November 14 in Columbus. Welcing remains optimistic about his future at Ohio State. “This presents numerous opportunities to excel at the next level,” he expressed. “Maintaining a positive mindset has been crucial in my development as a player.”

Steve Reaven contributed as a freelance reporter.