EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) As he listened to his team's introduction during last month's Big Ten media days, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald was a bit surprised by what he heard.

"Clayton Thorson leaves as the winningest quarterback in Northwestern history," a Big Ten network announcer said, reading from a script. "But he'll be replaced by five-star Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson."

That was news to Fitzgerald, who said the competition for starting quarterback at the beginning of fall camp was wide open with Hunter, senior TJ Green and junior Aidan Smith the main contenders.