It has been a rough evening for Northwestern football fans, and head coach Pat Fitzgerald. In a matter of minutes news broke the Wildcats will be losing top offensive player Venric Mark to a transfer and one of the top wide receivers, Christian Jones, will miss the entire 2014 season due to a knee injury.
Mark’s desire to transfer comes as a shock for Northwestern, this despite a recent suspension to start the 2014 season. Mark was suspended for Northwestern’s first two games of the season for a violation of team policy. Mark only played in three games last season, but he led the Wildcats in rushing with 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012. A desire to play closer to home is what Mark is seeking now. Mark is a native of Texas, which could open the door to a number of programs at the FCS or FBS level. Mark only has one year of eligibility remaining. The NCAA granted a fifth year of eligibility due to his injury in 2013.
“Northwestern has been an indescribable experience for me,” Mark said in a release, per CSN Chicago. “It has been my home for four years, and has molded me into the man I am. I’m one class shy of the Northwestern degree I’ve worked so hard for, and I will graduate. I’m devastated to leave my second home, but life is full of challenges and I’ve been presented with another one. Right now this is what is best for me and my family.”
As for Jones, the Wildcats are losing last season’s leading receiver. Jones recorded 668 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His production may not be as difficult to replace as Mark’s on th ground, but it does hurt the veteran depth at the position for Northwestern in the fall.
