DeKALB – After finishing the regular season with a winning record for the first time since 2021, eight NIU football players received all-conference honors, according to a release from the Mid-American Conference office Thursday.
OL J.J. Lippe – All-MAC First Team
One of the longest-tenured players on NIU’s roster, redshirt senior offensive lineman J.J. Lippe earned the first conference recognition of his career. Lippe started all 12 games at left guard for the Huskies in 2024, serving as one of NIU’s permanent team captains.
The Milwaukee native was graded as the second-best guard in the MAC, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed one sack, three QB hits and four hurries in 798 offensive snaps.
DT Devonte O’Malley – All-MAC First Team
Senior defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball, leading the Huskies and finishing tied for second in the MAC with eight sacks. He also accounted for 37 tackles and a team-best 11.5 tackles for loss.
O’Malley was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week earlier this year after recording two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble in NIU’s historic upset of then-No. 5 University of Notre Dame in Week 2.
S Nate Valcarcel – All-MAC First Team
Senior safety Nate Valcarcel graded as the fifth-best safety in the conference after recording a pair of interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2024. Valcarcel saw action in every game this season as NIU’s starting free safety.
The former University of South Dakota transfer also accumulated 50 tackles and two sacks and forced a fumble during the campaign.
OL John Champe – All-MAC Second Team
Senior offensive lineman John Champe continued to be a staple on the Huskies’ interior offensive line this season. The fifth-year senior started all 12 games at right guard, permitting two sacks and four QB hits.
Champe was the fourth-ranked guard in the conference, two spots below his left side counterpart Lippe.
OL Logan Zschernitz – All-MAC Second Team
In his first season as NIU’s starting center, redshirt senior offensive lineman Logan Zschernitz was the MAC’s second-highest graded center. Despite giving up a team-worst 17 pressures, Zschernitz gave up a single sack
The veteran lineman’s second-team nod is the third yearly conference honor of his career. He was named to the All-MAC Third Team in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022.
DE Roy Williams – All-MAC Second Team
Junior defensive end Roy Williams took home his first conference accolade after posting a 6.5-sack season in 2024. Williams’ earned the highest defensive grade among the Huskies’ edge rushers.
The 6-foot-6, 251-pounder started all 12 games for NIU while recording 37 tackles, a QB hit and a forced fumble.
CB JaVaughn Byrd – All-MAC Third Team
In his first season as NIU’s No. 1 corner, senior cornerback JaVaughn Byrd finished with three pass breakups and a forced fumble. He also logged 39 tackles.
Byrd received the final MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honor of the season after he scored the third defensive 2-point conversion in school history on Saturday against Central Michigan University.
DT Skyler Gill-Howard – All-MAC Third Team
Redshirt junior defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard was NIU’s highest-graded defender in 2024. The former walk-on finished second on the team with eight tackles for loss.
Gill-Howard put up a career performance during NIU’s 17-7 victory over Bowling Green State University on Oct. 12. He racked up six tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks to earn MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
