Northwestern is back on the practice field this week, as the spring season kicked off in Evanston on Tuesday.

The first spring practice typically doesn’t provide all that much insight, other than what the initial depth chart might look like. Players are just getting back onto the field and starting to battle for starting roles.

Following the Wildcats’ first spring workout, Pat Fitzgerald spoke with the media, and had a few interesting comments after Day 1. He made it pretty clear that Northwestern’s new building doesn’t automatically result in recruiting success.

“You don’t just build a building and all of a sudden get the best class you’ve ever had,” Fitzgerald said, according to Inside NU.

The Wildcats’ 2019 recruiting class ranked 51st nationally and 12th in the B1G. But that’s nothing new for the Wildcats, which typically doesn’t bring in high-ranked classes too frequently. They didn’t bring in any four- or five-star prospects, other than transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson.

New building or not, that’s a bit surprising for a program coming off a B1G West title run.

Fitzgerald also said Northwestern is in a good situation at the wide receiver position right now, something that’s been lacking in Evanston in recent years.

“It’s gonna be tough to get on the field at receiver for us for the first time in awhile,” Fitzgerald said.

Northwestern lost two of its top three receivers from a season ago, Flynn Nagel to eligibility and Cameron Green, who retired due to concussion concerns on Monday night. Bennett Skowronek, who was the team’s second-leading receiver with 562 yards and three touchdowns, returns along with Kyric McGowan, Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, Riley Lees and JJ Jefferson, among others.

Newcomers Bryce Kirtz and Genson Hooper-Price could have an immediate impact, as well.