Something about Big Ten Media Days always feels like the unofficial kickoff to the season. Coaches talk big, players show up sharp, and sometimes, you get actual news. And Northwestern fans got exactly that as head coach David Braun stepped to the mic and gave fans some long-awaited clarity at quarterback. Wildcats fans had been waiting, speculating, and honestly stressing a bit about the quarterback situation all offseason.

Not because the talent isn’t there—it definitely is—but because the guy who led them last season wasn’t locked into a return. With spring ball in the books and fall creeping up fast, everyone wanted answers. Who’s QB1? And this time, Braun was straight to the point, no cryptic answers. He came right out and said it: the Wildcats officially have their starting QB for 2025. Isn’t that what the fans wanted to hear?

“Preston Stone will be our starting quarterback for 2025,” Braun confirmed during his recent appearance at Big Ten Media Days, adding that their former QB Jack Lausch “worked through [his decision to focus on baseball] in May and June, and the decision he made is strongly supported.” It’s a bittersweet call for fans who saw flashes from Jack Lausch last year, but you can’t help but respect him chasing another dream.

Enter Preston Stone, the SMU transfer who’s already proven he has the potential. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 205 pounds, Stone threw for over 3,100 yards and 28 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions in 2023. Although he played only seven games in 2024, Stone brings real experience, composure, and big-game reps to a Northwestern offense that’s been searching for consistency since forever.

And Braun even explained why Stone is the guy. “Yes, I have been impressed with his football knowledge, his processing, his accuracy, uh, his leadership, but what I’ve been most excited about and most impressed with is his ability to quickly build relationships with his teammates,” the HC said. It shows that the numbers can play a key factor in building a strong team on paper, but what’s needed to make the team strong on the field is leadership. And that’s what Stone brings. For a program that went 4–8 last year, this kind of leadership could be the missing spark. But what exactly happened with Lausch, who has been with the program since 2022?

Lausch leaves the Gridiron behind, betting big on his Baseball future

Lausch’s departure wraps up one of the most intriguing Northwestern storylines of the year. A gritty QB who showed flashes of dual-threat upside, he now turns his full attention to baseball, where the Wildcats believe he’ll shine. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 180 pounds, he threw for 1,714 yards and seven touchdowns and added 213 yards on the ground in 2024, earning praise for his toughness from the coach himself.

“You know what Jack did last year, starting 10 games in the Big 10 as a quarterback and then going on to play baseball at an extremely high level.” Braun praised Lausch while attending the media during Big Ten Media Days. “You know, Jack ultimately decided to solely focus on baseball moving forward. I’m excited for Jack to dive into that endeavor, which he is currently doing this summer. Jack has a bright future in the game of baseball for a long, long time. Uh, we will miss his leadership.” Braun concluded. It’s enough to tell that he’s a kind of coach who values an athlete-first mentality, even if it means losing a starting QB.

Of course, the move raises a question: Can Northwestern football recover quickly from losing a starting QB? Braun believes so; his comments about Stone’s leadership clearly tell that he’s moved on from Lausch already and is hoping for a great season under the new signal-caller.