In State Review: Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois University Class of 2016 Signing Class
EDGYTIM's In State Recruiting Grade: B-
Northern Illinois, head coach Rod Carey and staff has been able to continue it's winning tradition, which includes seven straight winning seasons in DeKalb and counting. So how have the Huskies gotten it done on the recruiting trail? NIU works it's recruiting list as hard and as well as anyone. NIU does a terrific job identifying early the top names in state yet even more importantly for NIU they identify talent regardless of having a high recruiting profile or not. NIU also utilizes it's on campus and satellite camps as well as anyone. NIU seems to be able to get those same under the radar athlete types to it's one day camps and then swoop in once they see kids who fit the NIU profile. NIU profile? NIU recruits speed and athletes regardless of position. Sure, everyone recruits speed and athletes yet NIU is willing to project on a kid that maybe is an inch or two short or say 20-30 pounds lighter than the Power 5 programs prefer. The NIU Class of 2016? Again the Huskies have secured another solid class filled with kids who fit the NIU mode and formula, a formula that goes back to NIU head coach Joe Novak. Again...pretty hard to knock an approach and a formula that has worked well for almost a decade plus.
Headliner of the Huskies in-state Class of 2016?
Loyola Academy defensive tackle Ben Leroy is a prime example of an NIU kid. Leroy, who has been quietly dominating all comers in the Chicago Catholic Conference was so good on film NIU offered before seeing him in camp. Leroy is again maybe an inch or two short but has the quickness, power and leverage to become a very disruptive force for the NIU defense for years to come. Leroy, listed as a 6-foot-2, 255 pounder (my guess is closer to 6-foot-0) in fact camped at the NIU on campus Linemen camp after committing to NIU and dominated all comers. Also Oswego offensive linemen Austin Warner (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) is another under the radar type who just plays with a motor that never stops and brings a different level of nasty. Trust me one of these two could develop into
Sleeper of the in-state Huskies Class?
NIU has plenty of impressive names on it's Signing Day list, but the one name that I feel has a chance to find the field and eventually make a difference is Glenbard East WR Karon Keyes. Keyes, who's overall size (5-foot-7, 155 pounds) kept more BCS level schools away is just a combination of speed, wiggle and moves. Keyes could become a nasty player to cover as a slot back type along with being a big time threat in the return game for NIU. While Keyes size isn't there, his speed and athleticism is and that's the NIU formula.
The One Who Got Away?
West Aurora safety Drake Spears seemed to be more and more on board with the Huskies and Spears made several unofficial visits. Spears, a full NCAA academic qualifier decommitted from Illinois and I thought for sure NIU would have swopped in. Again I'll never say never since Spears at this moment has yet to sign. I wouldn't be shocked to see Spears eventually in DeKalb.
Final Thoughts on the Huskies in state efforts?
You can't help but respect and admire The Hard Way. NIU has been just winning games and getting it done with a combination of projects, under the radar kids and just old fashioned hard work, coaching and developing.
NIU has it's way and continues to win and I don't see them moving away from the formula too much anytime soon.
However, I can't but wonder when NIU finds a way to break though on the recruiting trail and start to potentially steal away a few higher profile names. Look I get it...NIU doesn't want kids who don't want NIU. Yet even the NIU staff would admit that despite the added headaches and personalities of the "higher profile" names...some serious talent and potential "difference makers" can be found in some those names as well.
NIU was a program that for too many years became Fallback U. NIU has worked hard to get rid of that reputation and establish itself as a steady winner. NIU offers a strong education, a winning football program and is year in and year out arguably the state's best college football program.
Yet what about the next step? Can NIU become the next Boise State?
Time will tell, and in the meantime this football program continues to make positive steps