Northwestern will be without Matthew Harris, its All-Big Ten and All- Academic Big Ten cornerback, Saturday when it takes on No. 6 Ohio State in Columbus this Saturday.

After suffering multiple concussions throughout his career, Harris announced his retirement from football Monday afternoon.

A 2016 captain who played as a true freshman, Harris tallied 161 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions and three forced fumbles in his career.



"This is an incredibly difficult decision to reach, but it is the right one for me and for my future," the former unranked 2013 recruit from LeGrange, Ill. said in a released statement. "I'm so thankful for Coach Fitzgerald, Coach Brown and the rest of the staff that brought me to Northwestern and have mentored me over the last several years. My teammates are like brothers, and while not being on the field with them has been frustrating and challenging, I'm so proud of the group and what we've helped build together. I owe thanks to our athletic training and sports medicine staffs, whose care throughout my Wildcats career has been outstanding. Finally and most importantly, I can never appropriately express the love and gratitude I have for my family, which has supported me on every step of this journey and will continue to for years to come."

No. 6 Ohio State hosts Northwestern at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.