There has been plenty of chatter about the suspension of Northwestern Wildcats senior running back Venric Mark over the last couple of days. Now comes the news that Venric Mark has decided to leave Northwestern.

Mark has decided to transfer "for personals reasons and to be closer to his family in Houston, Texas."

“Northwestern has been an indescribable experience for me,” Mark said. "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.”

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald had this to say. "It is a difficult day for our football family and, most importantly, for Venric. We love him, and there is no doubt that we’re going to miss him as both a person and player. But this is unquestionably what is best for Venric and those closest to him.”

While the team was beyond excited about having the fifth-year senior back on the field after last season's injury plagued campaign, they also know that the offense can run smoothly without him.

That is because the Cats' are stacked with an abundance of talent at the position. Of course, the team will miss the attributes that Mark brings to the table, solid runner between the tackles and sideline to sideline, complimentary receiver, and kick returner, but the Wildcats are confident that they can survive without him.

The man most likely to start in Mark's place on opening day is is fellow senior Treyvon Green. Green assumed the bulk of the running game while Mark was injured- as was run-oriented quarterback Kain Colter - last season.

He finished 2013 with 137 carries for 736 yards and eight touchdowns. He also averaged 5.4 yards per carry and added 71 receiving yards with one touchdown reception as well.

Behind him is the sophomore tandem of Stephen Buckley and Warren Long. Both men saw a fair amount of playing time as true freshman in 2013. With the aforementioned injuries in the backfield, both men showed that they are both capable of taking the reigns of NU's running game in the future.

Buckley finished with 316 total yards and one touchdown. Long on the other hand, only managed 59 total yards, but he showed solid speed and a full understanding of the offense. 

There is another sophomore on the roster in Mike Panico. He did not see much playing time last year, but with Mark missing the first two weeks of the season that could change.

Then there is redshirt freshman Xavier Menifield, he was redshirted in 2013 for developmental purposes. At one point last season he was named NU's Offensive Practice Player of the Week. He is hoping to see some time on the field this year and Mark's absence could give him that opportunity.

Finally, the rest of the group is rounded out by four freshman who are eager to get their feet wet and get a taste of college football glory. Those freshman are Malcolm Bowman, Auston Anderson, Justin Jackson, and Solomon Vault.

They will have to prove themselves in practice and do everything that is asked of them if they want to get an opportunity to get game snaps. Of course, we cannot forget junior superback (FB/TE/WR hybrid) Dan Vitale. He is capable of running the ball when called upon, as he ran for 28 yards last season.

There is no need to panic Wildcats fans, as long as everyone stays healthy, then the team will be just fine.