Fall Preview: NIU

Fall preview for the Northern Illinois University Huskies:

QB

#06 Jordan Lynch QB 6-0 216 RS JR Chicago, IL/Mt. Carmel--13 games played. 45 carries for 246 yards and 3 TD. 15-20 passing for 166 yards and 1 TD. 13 games played. 1 tackle.

#16 Matt McIntosh QB 6-1 197 RS FR Evansville, IN/Reitz--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team quarterback.

#14 Devin Rose QB 6-0 204 RS FR Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Johnny Eagan QB Wautoma, WI Wautoma 6'2" 185--Incoming freshman.

#?? Drew Hare QB O'Fallon, MO Fort Zumwalt West 6'2" 190--Incoming freshman.

#?? Mark Strbjak QB Munster, IN Munster 6'3" 182--Incoming freshman.

#?? Matt Williams QB Geneva, IL Geneva 6'3" 190--Incoming freshman.

Losing program changing quarterback Chandler Harnish to graduation and the NFL is a huge blow to the Huskies and will be hard to replace. Junior Jordan Lynch looks to be the one to replace Harnish after playing in limited duty in 2011. Lynch attempted 20 passes and ran the ball 45 times contributing 4 touchdowns to the Husky offense. Redshirt freshman Matt McIntosh redshirted in 2011 but will be the backup for Lynch with fellow redshirt freshman Devin Rose battling McIntosh for backup duties. The Huskies also have 4 incoming freshmen who will be part of a bright Husky future.

FB

#48 Ricky Connors FB 6-1 246 RS SO Powder Springs, GA/Harrison--Projected starter.

#47 Rob Sterling FB 5-10 231 SO Lansing, IL/T.F. South--10 games played. 1 tackle. 1 kickoff return for 14 yards. 2nd team fullback.

The Huskies do not use the fullback in a starring role but have two solid players in sophomores Ricky Connors and Rob Sterling. Neither have any offensive stats although Sterling played in 10 games and had a kickoff return in mostly special teams activity.

RB

#03 Akeem Daniels RB 5-7 184 JR Kissimmee, FL/Osceola--14 games played. 56 carries for 303 yards and 3 TD. 15 catches for 252 yards and 2 TD. 4 kickoff returns for 18 yard average. 3 tackles. 1 fumble recovery.

#23 Leighton Settle RB 5-9 199 JR Madison, WI/Madison West/Fresno City CC--10 games played. 16 carries for 84 yards. 2 catches for 14 yards. 2nd team running back.

#05 Jamal Womble RB 5-10 246 SR Teachey, NC/Buena (AZ)/Hutchinson CC--12 games played. 37 carries for 124 yards and 1 TD. 2 catches for 8 yards and 1 TD. 3rd team running back.

#25 Giorgio Bowers RB 5-8 218 RS SO Olympia Fields/Rich Central/Akron--No stats in 2011.

#32 Jordan Huxtable RB 5-8 186 RS SO St. Charles/St. Charles North--No stats in 2011.

#34 James Spencer RB 5-8 181 RS SO Fremont, OH/Ross--5 games played. 2 carries for 7 yards.

#08 Cameron Stingily RB 6-1 244 RS SO Romeoville, IL/Romeoville--No stats in 2011.

#?? Austin Smaha RB Belvidere, IL Belvidere North 6'0" 210--Incoming freshman.

Junior Akeem Daniels is the leading returning rusher at running back for the Huskies. Daniels was also effective as a pass catcher with 15 catches and 252 yards receiving in addition to his 303 yards on the ground. Junior Leighton Settles and senior Jamal Womble will battle for the backup spot although both will see extensive action on the field in relief. The Huskies have a trio of sophomores that were not ready as redshirt freshmen in 2011 but may be ready to contribute on special teams at least. Freshman Austin Samha is too far down the depth chart to make a big impact.

TE

#87 Jason Schepler TE 6-2 274 RS SR Sycamore, IL/Sycamore--Projected starter.

#83 Luke Eakes TE 6-3 250 RS SO St. Marys, KS/St. Marys--14 games played. 6 catches for 49 yards and 1 TD. 2nd team tight end.

#88 Tim Semisch TE 6-8 266 RS SO Omaha, NE/Millard North/Nebraska-Omaha--11 games played. 1 catch for 7 yards. 3rd team tight end.

#44 DeVonte' Majors TE 6-1 237 RS FR O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt West--Redshirted in 2011. 4th team tight end.

#43 Jess Striedl TE 6-1 221 RS SO St. Charles, IL/St. Charles East

#84 Kevin Tennenbaum TE 6-3 239 RS FR Buffalo Grove, IL/Buffalo Grove--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Lincoln Howard TE Osceola, WI Osceola 6'6" 260--Incoming freshman.

#?? Desroy Maxwell TE Chicago, IL Amundsen 6'2" 240--Incoming freshman.

Senior Jason Schepler gets the starting spot at tight end after seeing not action as a junior. Sophomores Luke Eakes and Tim Semisch will fight Schepler for the main snaps and all three should see action. Majors, Striedl, Tennenbaum and the incoming freshmen will battle for reserve spots for the Huskies.

WR

#04 Da'Ron Brown WR 6-0 194 RS SO Chicago, IL/Morgan Park--14 games played. 1 carry for 3 yards. 24 catches for 322 yards and 2 TD. 1 punt return for 0 yards. 14 games played. 11 tackles. Projected starter.

#01 Martel Moore WR 6-0 183 SR San Antonio, TX/Earl Warren--13 games played. 47 catches for 747 yards and 7 TD. Projected starter.

#80 Tommylee Lewis WR 5-7 155 SO Riviera Beach, FL/W.T. Dwyer--11 games played. 8 carries for 76 yards and 1 TD. 30 kickoff returns for 25.2 yard average and 2 TD. Projected starter.

#07 Perez Ashford WR 5-11 182 SR Shaker Heights, OH/Shaker Heights14 games played. 10 carries for 85 yards. 0-1 passing. 47 catches for 530 yards and 3 TD. 7 kickoff returns for 17.4 yard average. 5 punt returns for 6.2 yard average. 14 games played. 1 tackle. Projected starter.

#13 Anthony Johnson WR 6-2 187 RS JR San Antonio, TX/Earl Warren--11 games played. 13 catches for 174 yards. 2nd team wide receiver.

#85 Angelo Sebastiano WR 6-0 205 RS FR Coconut Creek, FL/North Broward Prep--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team wide receiver.

#22 Jamison Wells WR 5-11 193 RS JR Combined Locks, WI/Kimberly--13 games played. 3 carries for 20 yards. 14 catches for 112 yards. 1 kickoff return for 13 yards. 13 games played. 1 tackle.  2nd team wide receiver.

#82 Juwan Brescacin WR 6-4 219 RS FR Mississauga, Ont./Culver (Ind.) Academy--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team wide receiver.

#81 Troy Torrence WR 6-3 204 RS SO Chicago, IL/De La Salle/St. Xavier

#86 Mack Tracey WR 6-1 191 RS SO Lisle, IL/Wheaton Warrenville South

#?? Clayton Gasper WR Peoria, IL Richwoods 6'4" 197--Incoming freshman.

#?? Charlie Miller WR Vero Beach, FL Vero Beach 5'11" 185--Incoming freshman.

The Northern Illinois offense utilizes several wide receivers in many 4 receiver sets. Sophomore Da'Ron Brown (24 catches), senior Martel Moore (47 catches), sophomore Tommylee Lewis, and senior Perez Ashford (47 catches) round up the starting 4 receivers that have alot of experience but need Lewis to prove he is ready for a starting spot. Johnson (13 catches), Sebastiano, Wells (14 catches), and Brescacin will all be in the rotation and could possibly unseat Lewis as a starter.

OL

#75 Tyler Loos LT 6-5 282 RS SO Sterling, IL/Sterling--Projected starter at left tackle.

#59 Michael Gegner C 6-3 283 RS SO Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central--Projected starter at center.

#66 Matt Battaglia C 6-3 287 SR Chicago, IL/Marist/Harper College--Projected starter at right guard.

#79 Matt Krempel RT 6-5 307 RS JR Columbus, IN/Columbus North--Projected starter at right tackle.

#70 Logan Pegram LG 6-3 306 RS SR Silver Lake, KS/Silver Lake--Projected starter at left guard.

#78 Ryan Brown LT 6-6 283 RS SO Elburn, IL/St. Charles North--2nd team left tackle.

#61 Aidan Conlon LG 6-3 287 RS FR Flossmoor, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team left guard.

#73 Matt Killian RG 6-5 303 RS FR O'Fallon, MO/Francis Howell--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team right guard.

#55 Andrew Ness C 6-3 286 RS FR O'Fallon, MO/Christian Brothers College--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team center.

#65 Wes Ott RT 6-3 281 RS SO Western Springs, IL/Lyons Township--2nd team right tackle.

#67 Tyler Pitt LT 6-5 292 RS SO McRae, GA/Telfair County--3rd team left tackle.

#77 Jared Volk LG 6-3 315 RS JR Hartland, WI/Arrowhead--3rd team left guard.

#60 Lawrence Walker OL 6-3 290 RS SO Rockford, IL/Jefferson--Reserve lineman.

#?? Dustin Adams OL Minot, ND Minot 6'5" 290--Incoming freshman.

#?? Sal Arceo OL Chicago, IL Mount Carmel 6'2" 275--Incoming freshman.

#?? Daron Brown OL Detroit, MI Mumford 6'5" 312--Incoming freshman.

#?? Levon Myers OL Franklin, WI Franklin 6'6" 260--Incoming freshman.

#?? Josh Ruka OL Greenfield, WI Greenfield 6'6" 285--Incoming freshman.

#?? Brad Steger OL Rock Island, IL Rock Island 6'7" 305--Incoming freshman.

#?? Scott Taylor OL Woodstock, IL Marian Central Catholic 6'4" 270--Incoming freshman.

DL

#90 Alan Baxter DE 6-0 240 SR Buffalo Grove, IL/Buffalo Grove--13 games played. 48 tackles, 12.5 for loss. 5.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble. Starter.

#95 Sean Progar DE 6-2 254 RS SR Glenview, IL/Glenbrook South--13 games played. 52 tackles, 11 for loss. 5.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 forced fumble. Starter.

#93 Ken Bishop DT 6-1 308 JR Sunrise, FL/Piper HS/Ellsworth CC--JUCO transfer. Projected starter at defensive tackle.

#99 Nabal Jefferson NT 6-0 287 SR Chicago, IL/Marist--14 games played. 46 tackles, 5 for loss. 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery. Starter.

#97 Joe Windsor DE 6-0 236 JR Kearney, MO/Kearney--13 games played. 20 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 fumble recovery. 2nd team defensive end.

#49 Jason Meehan DE 6-1 241 SO St. Louis, MO/Webster Groves--14 games played. 26 tackles, 3 for loss. 0.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries. 1 kickoff return for 0 yards. 2nd team defensive end.

#91 Anthony Wells DT 6-3 276 RS JR North Chicago, IL/North Chicago--14 games played. 16 tackles, 5 for loss. 2 sacks, 1 pbu. 2nd team defensive tackle.

#98 Frank Boenzi NT 6-1 304 RS SO Geneva, IL/Geneva--12 games played. 12 tackles, 3 for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu. 2nd team nose tackle.

#51 Zach Anderson NT 6-1 300 RS JR Ladysmith, WI/Ladysmith--2 games played. 3 tackles. 1 fumble recovery. 3rd team nose tackle.

#46 George Rainey DE 6-2 222 RS JR Milwaukee, WI/South Division--12 games played. 1 tackle. 3rd team defensive end.

#89 Stephen O'Neal DE 6-3 235 RS JR Park Forest, IL/Rich East--12 games played. 12 tackles, 4.5 for loss. 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries. 3rd team defensive end.

#94 Donovan Gordon DT 6-0 275 RS SO Kansas City, MO/Raytown South/Nebraska-Omaha--3rd team defensive tackle.

#54 Cameron Clinton-Earl DE 6-1 244 RS FR Milwaukee, WI/Hamilton--Redshirted in 2011.

#50 Ryan Gorrell DE 6-1 225 RS SO Westchester, IL/Montini Catholic/Minnesota State

#56 Daniel Green DE 6-1 242 RS SR Oak Park, IL/Oak Park/River Forest

#63 Larry Lloyd DE 6-0 244 RS SO Chicago, IL/Glenbard East

#?? Matthew Baltimore DE Olathe, KS East 6'4" 230--Incoming freshman.

#?? Brian Canoy DE Chicago, IL St. Patrick 6'4" 252--Incoming freshman.

#?? Michael Ippolito DE Naperville, IL Neuqua Valley 6'4" 230--Incoming freshman.

#?? Ken Bishop DT Iowa Falls, IA Ellsworth C.C. 6'2" 300--JUCO transfer.

#?? Mario Jones DT Chicago, IL Hubbard 6'3" 275--Incoming freshman.

#?? Corey Thomas DT Chicago, IL Lindblom 6'3" 294--Incoming freshman.

The Huskies have a group of defensive linemen that may be the deepest of any position set on the team. Three of the four starters (Baxter, Progar, Jefferson) made 45+ tackles in 2011 for a defensive line that was the strength in 2011. JUCO transfer Ken Bishop is the other projected starter and will be a bit of a wild card with no FBS game experience. Windsor (20 tackles), Meehan (26 tackles), Wells (16 tackles), and Boenzi (12 tackles) will all be backups ready to get playing time in the defensive line rotation.

LB

#06 Jamaal Bass OLB 5-10 225 RS SO Miramar, FL/Miramar--11 games played. 62 tackles. 5.5 for loss. 1 pbu.

#09 Devon Butler MLB 5-10 232 RS JR Pembroke Pines, FL/Everglades--Projected starter at mlb.

#36 Tyrone Clark LB 5-10 219 SR St. Louis, MO/Mehlville--Projected starter at olb.

#52 Michael Santacaterina OLB 5-10 210 RS SO Geneva, IL/Geneva--11 games played. 28 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 0.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble. 1 kickoff return for 18 yards. 2nd team olb.

#40 Victor Jacques MLB 5-11 228 RS SR Miami, FL/Christopher Columbus--14 games played. 20 tackles, 0.5 for loss. 2nd team mlb.

#45 Boomer Mays DS/OLB 6-0 230 RS FR Lawrence, KS/Eudora--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team olb.

#27 Bobby Winkel OLB 6-1 227 RS SO Batavia, IL/Marmion Academy--6 games played. 2 tackles. 3rd team olb.

#35 Videl Nelson LB 6-0 230 RS FR Kansas City, MO/Staley--Redshirted in 2011.

#39 Gervaise Porter LB 6-0 210 RS JR Robbins, IL/Eisenhower--12 games played. 13 tackles. 1 pbu.

#?? Mike Cotton LB O'Fallon, IL O'Fallon 6'3" 210--Incoming freshman.

#?? Ladell Fleming LB Chicago, IL Julian 6'1" 210--Incoming freshman.

#?? Cody Hazelett LB Inlet Grove Heights, MN Simley 6'3" 220--Incoming freshman.

Sophomore Jamaal Bass lost 3 games in 2012 after a pregame incident in which he ran over a band member before the start of the Toledo game. Even with the suspension, Bass made 62 tackles in 11 games and is far and away the most experienced returning linebacker for NIU. Fellow projected starters Devon Butler and Tyrone Clark did not see any game action in 2011 but must step up and provide Bass some help on the 2nd defensive level. Jacques (20 tackles), Mays, Winkel, Nelson and Porter (13 tackles) will fight for playing time with three incoming freshmen looking towards the future.

DB

#11 Rashaan Melvin CB 6-2 193 RS SR Waukegan, IL/Waukegan--13 games played. 78 tackles, 1 for loss. 3 interceptions, 9 pbu. Starter at cornerback.

#28 Jhony Faustin CB 5-8 174 JR Naples, FL/Lely/Ellsworth CC--14 games played. 70 tackles. 2 interceptions, 5 pbu. Starter at cornerback.

#21 Dechane Durante SS 6-2 196 RS SO Charlotte, NC/Vance--14 games played. 57 tackles, 4 for loss. 0.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 pbu. 1 defensive touchdown. Starter at strong safety.

#15 Jimmie Ward FS 5-11 192 JR Mobile, AL/Davidson--14 games played. 100 tackles, 2.5 for loss. 1 sack, 4 pbu, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked kick. 1 punt return for 9 yards. Starter at free safety.

#02 Sean Evans CB 5-10 174 RS JR Ft. Walton Beach, FL/Ft. Walton Beach--13 games played. 24 tackles, 1 for loss. 5 pbu. 2nd team cornerback.

#19 Demetrius Stone S 5-10 203 SR Miami, FL/American Senior/Coffeyville CC (KS) --14 games played. 55 tackles. 1 interception, 5 pbu, 1 fumble recovery. 2nd team cornerback.

#24 Dominique Ware FS 5-11 180 RS JR Bolingbrook, IL/Plainfield North--14 games played. 19 tackles. 2 fumble recoveries. 2nd team free safety.

#14 Courtney Stephen FS 6-0 194 RS SR Brampton, Ont., Canada/Turner Fenton/Wilfred Laurier Univ.-- 6 games played. 4 tackles. 1 blocked kick. 1 blocked kick returned for touchdown. 3rd team free safety.

#17 Marckie Hayes CB 5-8 176 RS SO Sycamore, IL/Sycamore--14 games played. 14 tackles. 1 forced fumble.

#29 Paris Logan CB 5-9 179 RS FR Columbia, MO/Rock Bridge--Redshirted in 2011.

#41 Nate McNeal CB 5-10 171 RS JR Chicago, IL/Thornwood/Harper College--No stats in 2011.

#42 Michael Neal CB 5-8 175 RS FR Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Ely--Redshirted in 2011.

#18 Zak Giller DB 6-3 205 RS SO Chelsea, MI/Chelsea

#38 Rasheen Lemon SS 6-0 206 RS FR Chicago, IL/Proviso West--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd team strong safety.

#33 Tre' Moore SS 5-9 194 RS FR Dayton, OH/Wayne--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd team strong safety.

#?? Anthony Brooks DB Warren, MI Warren Mott 6'0" 175--Incoming freshman.

#?? Conner Gavin DB Chicago, IL Notre Dame For Boys 6'0" 190--Incoming freshman.

#?? Charles Ivory DB Vero Beach, FL Vero Beach 6'1" 170--Incoming freshman.

#?? Marlon Moore DB Mobile, AL Vigor 5'9" 180--Incoming freshman.

Northern Illinois has a secondary that was very strong in 2011 with all four starters returning and making at least 50 tackles last fall. Cornerbacks Jhony Faustin (70 tackles) and Rashaan Melvin (78 tackles) are supported by safeties Dechane Durante (57 tackles) and Jimmie Ward (100 tackles). The quartet accounted for a staggering 305 tackles for the Husky defense and should be a strong backend for NIU. Evans (24 tackles), Stone (55 tackles), Ware (19 tackles), and a large group of other defensive backs will compete for playing time although many will only see action on special teams before moving into the defensive rotation in the future.

LS

#53 Adam Kuhl DS 6-2 276 RS JR Maple Valley/Maple Valley/Iowa Western CC--No stats in 2011.

#84 Brian Mayer DS 6-2 205 RS SO Orland Park, IL/Carl Sandburg--No stats in 2011.

#45 Boomer Mays DS/LB 6-0 230 RS FR Lawrence, KS/Eudora--Redshirted in 2011.

The NIU long snapper situation will be a summer and fall camp question mark with Kuhl, Mayer, and Mays all looking to be the snapper but none having any game experience in 2011 for the Huskies. This spot could go to any of the three.

K

#99 Mathew Sims K 5-9 181 JR Hannibal, MO/Hannibal--20-28 field goals, 17-21 from inside 40 yards. 3 blocked. 64-66 extra point attempts. 1 kickoff.

Junior Mathew Sims looks to expand upon a solid sophomore season in 2011 that saw him make 20-28 field goal attempts but more importantly, he was 17-21 from inside the 40 yard line. Of his 8 misses, three were blocks. Sims was solid at extra point attempts as well with 64-66 attempts. He should be in line for another solid season and slight improvement with his field goal accuracy.

P

#18 Ryan Neir P 6-3 208 RS SR Roscoe, IL/Hononegah--14 games played. 2 carries for -25 yards. 1-1 passing for 4 yards. 62 punts for a 35.7 yard average and 19 inside with 20 and 4 over 50 yards.

#26 Tyler Wedel P/K 5-11 186 SO McFarland, WI/McFarland--86 kickoffs with 6 touchbacks. 14 games played. 6 tackles.

Senior Ryan Neir will be the punter in 2012 after a slightly disappointing 2011 season that saw him only average 35.7 yards per punt and only 4 punts over 50 yards. He must improve those numbers and get closer to 40 yards per punt so that NIU can control field position. Backing him up is sophomore Tyler Wedel who is the backup at kicker and punter and was the kickoff specialist in 2011. Wedel had only 6 touchbacks in 86 kickoffs but those numbers should improve with another year of seasoning as well as the new kickoff rules going into effect this fall.

ATH

#?? Perez Ford ATH Romeoville, IL Romeoville 6'2" 225--Incoming freshman.

2011 saw a season of two sections for the Huskies. After 5 games last fall, NIU was 2-3 with losses to Kansas, CMU and Wisconsin and many thinking that the Huskies were ripe for the picking. After that upset loss to CMU, the Huskies went on a 9-game winning streak that saw NIU win the MAC championship game and the godaddy.com bowl and end at 11-3. 2012 may be the season that NIU falls back to the pack somewhat but a somewhat weak out of conference schedule that includes Kansas, Army, UT Martin, and Iowa, the Huskies should start the season 2-2 at the worst. NIU also gets Toledo at home and depending on how that game ends, the Huskies could be going to another MAC title game. 9-3 or 8-4 with another bowl berth is within grasp and should be the goal for Northern Illinois in 2012.