High School: Ranked as a four-star recruit and the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals.com ... Named 2013 first-team All-State byChicago Tribune,Champaign News Gazetteand the IHSA ... Competed in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in California, where he was named the game's MVP ... Recorded 2,809 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, 630 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in his senior year ... Twice led Wheaton North to appearances in the state quarterfinals ... In a 32-31 playoff win over Fenwick, registered 413 passing yards and five touchdowns to rally the Falcons back from a 31-6 second-quarter deficit ... Four-time Tom Lemming All-Area Team ... Two-time All Conference ... Recipient of the Jim Rexilius "Proper State of Mind" Award and the Red Grange Award ... Team captain ... Four-year honor roll student and a member of the Math Honor Society.

Personal: Born Clayton James Thorson ... Son of Chad and Shauna Thorson ... Father played for the New York Giants and played collegiately for Wheaton College, where two of Chad's older brothers also competed ... Clayton competed against future NU teammates Dan Vitaleand Justin Jackson in high school, also playing AAU basketball with Jackson ... Chose Northwestern over numerous Big Ten offers (including Iowa, Penn State and Minnesota) as well as Boston College, Syracuse, Northern Illinois and Ole Miss ... Majoring in economics.