Each week during the college football season, the Northern Star will recap the most interesting NIU grades published by Pro Football Focus, a sports analytics company that evaluates every player on every play of every game. Season and single-game grades are based on a 0-100 scale. To learn more about PFF’s grading system, click here.
The Huskies have officially made it halfway through their season — though not without enduring a five-game losing streak.
NIU continues to find itself near the basement of college football after its latest shortfall: a 16-10 loss at Eastern Michigan. Though the team couldn’t bring home a much-needed victory, some players got their due flowers from PFF for their individual performances in Ypsilanti, including NIU’s lone touchdown scorer.
Telly Johnson Jr. (80.3 offense): The Georgia native put together the best game of his career on Saturday. Johnson’s 80-yard touchdown run highlighted a 159-yard rushing performance, averaging 13.25 yards per carry — all career highs. He earned NIU’s top offensive grade and rushing grade (81.3) while playing only 28 snaps.
Evan Malcore (87.8 pass blocking): The left tackle continues to be one of NIU’s most reliable pass protectors. His 87.8 pass blocking grade is the highest by any NIU offensive lineman in a game this season. Malcore didn’t allow a sack, hit, hurry or pressure on any of the 67 snaps he played.
Donte Harrison (86.0 defense): The Shepherd transfer once again graded out as NIU’s top defensive back. Harrison led the team in overall defense and pass coverage (84.9), while also tying defensive tackle Reggie Jean for the second-highest run defense grade (74.4). In Saturday’s loss, he played 63 of 71 snaps, made five tackles, allowed five catches on seven targets and recorded his first interception as a Huskie.
Jacob Finley (84.2 tackling): Finley and safety Muhammed Jammeh shared the Huskies’ best tackling grade after each posted a career-high nine tackles against the Eagles. Finley also had the highest run defense grade (83.6), a notable achievement for a cornerback. He was in on all 71 defensive snaps and allowed six catches on seven targets.
NIU (72.0 overall): It’s not an impressive number, but it’s the best overall grade the Huskies have posted all season. Their previous best was a 71.7 in the season-opening win over Holy Cross — still their only victory of 2025. NIU’s performance was highlighted by its strong marks in pass blocking (84.0) and tackling (82.1) but hampered by its worst passing grade of the season (32.8).
