Griffin Wilde Pays It Forward: From Fan to Football Host

Griffin Wilde, a rising star at Northwestern, recently returned to his hometown of Sioux Falls to host a youth football clinic. This event mirrored his own experience nearly a decade ago when he met former NFL player Zach Zenner at a similar clinic. Wilde, who will be a senior this upcoming season, aims to inspire the next generation of athletes.

Wilde's college career has seen him excel, first with South Dakota State where he contributed to a national championship season, and then at Northwestern. He is already a preseason Big Ten selection and an NFL Draft candidate. The Wildcats are set to play in their new $850 million stadium, Ryan Field, this fall, with high expectations for the team.

As Wilde prepares for his senior season as Northwestern's top receiving target, he acknowledges the competitive nature of the Big Ten. The Wildcats will open the 2026 season with two games at Martin Field, a refurbished facility. One of these opening games will be against Wilde's former team, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, an event Wilde anticipates with excitement, emphasizing his continued respect for his former team.