Hunter Welcing’s Path from Northwestern to Ohio State

Hunter Welcing’s journey in football has been filled with challenges and growth. A graduate of Lake Zurich in 2020, Welcing faced significant hurdles, including two major knee injuries. At Northwestern, his progress was often hindered as he struggled to secure a spot on the depth chart as a tight end. However, the 2025 season saw Welcing, now standing at 6-3 and weighing 246 pounds, start to thrive with the Wildcats. After successfully petitioning for an extra year of eligibility, he’s now set to join Ohio State, a team vying for a national championship.

Reflecting on his transfer to Ohio State, Welcing expressed his anticipation for playing in high-stakes games. The Buckeyes clinched the national title at the end of the 2024 season. Welcing’s tenure at Northwestern was marked by limited play. In 2020, he did not play, appeared in five games, and redshirted in 2021. A repeated ACL injury in 2022 led to another redshirt year. During 2023 and 2024, he mainly participated in special teams.

Welcing’s luck began to change in the second game of the 2025 season, where he scored his first career touchdown in a game against Western Illinois on September 5. He reminisced how his family was emotional upon witnessing his toe-tap catch. Welcing ended the season with 28 receptions, covering 296 yards, the most for a Northwestern tight end since 2017. This earned him an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

I felt like my time in college was done, Welcing remarked, hopeful about his NFL prospects. However, scouts advised another collegiate year for a more robust evaluation. Thus, even before securing an extra year, Welcing entered the transfer portal shortly after New Year’s Day. He recalled the buzz it created and, after visiting Ohio State, he was convinced it was the right fit.

This decision marked the end of Welcing’s substantial career at Northwestern, during which he also completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Leaving Northwestern was bittersweet. Welcing admitted to shedding tears but emphasized the value of gaining new experiences from leading coaches and competitors. His initial months at Ohio State have been enlightening. The removal of the black stripe from his helmet on April 13 indicated his acceptance into the program.

Welcing’s football path was not without challenges. One of his biggest hurdles was tearing his ACL in the spring after his junior year. Despite reassurances about his scholarship, he dedicated himself to return for a game in Week 8 of his senior year. He then caught a crucial touchdown pass during the first round of the Class 7A playoffs.

Former Lake Zurich coach Ron Planz recalls that play vividly. It was a corner route that made it 14-0 and was a nice play in the corner of the endzone, Planz noted, highlighting Welcing’s perseverance and character. At Northwestern, Alex Spanos, the director of football sports performance, saw Welcing’s determination firsthand as he overcame injuries and gained substantial muscle mass.

Hunter has a tremendous ability to weather the storm through adversity, Spanos commented, praising Welcing’s resilience and toughness. He admired Welcing’s commitment and was proud to witness his success on the field.

Ohio State will host Northwestern on November 14, offering the Wildcats a chance to see Welcing from a rival perspective. As his season unfolds, Welcing remains confident in his new role, recognizing the abundant opportunities Ohio State presents for advancing to professional football. I didn’t always think my body could hold up, but having a positive attitude has allowed me to become the player I am today, he said.