DeKALB — The defense was one of the few saving graces for NIU a season ago, but that unit will look much different in 2026.

The Huskies were once again decimated by the transfer portal and graduation this offseason, losing nearly every defensive starter. A familiar reality for Group of Six programs, NIU reloaded its roster with a mix of lower-level transfers and talent. With spring practices officially wrapped as of Thursday morning, there’s a better picture of what that revamped defense could look like heading into the Sept. 5 season opener.

The Northern Star projected NIU’s offensive depth chart on Tuesday. It’s time to do the same for the game’s other two phases: defense and special teams.

Defensive ends

Starters: Jay’shon Thomas (R-Jr.), Kole Sneed (R-Jr.)
Backups: James Bradley (R-Jr.), Micah Cook (R-Fr.)
Reserves: Mathias Smith-Davis (R-So.), Darrius Summers III (Fr.), Trenton Nixon (R-Fr.), Charles Brooks III (R-Fr.), Joseph Nnamuchi (Jr.), Fawzy Omotoso (R-Fr.), Ryan Hassett (Fr.), JT King (Fr.)

Analysis: There were, and still are, a lot of questions about this defense after the unit was gutted this offseason. But one of the biggest: Who fills the voids left by Jalonnie Williams and Roy Williams? That’s a combined 51 starts and 71 games of experience that need to be replaced on the edges.

The first answer is obvious: Jay’shon Thomas. He’s the team’s top returning tackler after making 21 stops and recording his first two career sacks last season. Originally recruited as a tight end, Thomas switched to defense in 2024 and has appeared in 20 games with three starts. On the other side, Kole Sneed has shown promise after his impressive 2025 campaign at St. Thomas. Sneed logged 40 tackles — 19 solo — and 10 sacks to earn All-Pioneer Football League second-team honors.

The next spots on the depth chart are less settled, but James Bradley and Micah Cook are logical candidates. Bradley is a recent arrival from Mississippi Valley State, while Cook enters his second year in the program after appearing in the two-deep behind Thomas late last season. True freshman JT King is another name to watch, with new defensive ends coach Chris West pointing to him as one of the early standouts in the room.

Defensive tackles

Starters: Montrel Canion (R-Fr.), Amari Washington (R-Fr.)
Backups: Matthew Scarlett (R-Jr.), Jordan Bellamy (R-Fr.)
Reserves: Zach Morrisroe (R-Fr.), Terry Robinson (Fr.), Jvon Hatcher (Fr.), Jacob McGhee (Jr.)
Summer enrollees: Christopher Allen (R-Sr.), Brendan Alexander (Fr.)

Analysis: NIU’s defensive line underwent a massive overhaul this offseason, especially along the interior. Mark Hensley and Reggie Jean transferred out, while Dasean Dixon and Alvin Gulley Jr. graduated. Now, one of the team’s most seasoned position groups has become one of its greenest.

Montrel Canion and Amari Washington will be counted on to make a big leap in Year 2 after they combined for just 79 snaps and six tackles as true freshmen last season. Both received extensive reps throughout spring practices and were the starting interior duo for Team NIU in Saturday’s showcase. Washington was especially disruptive in that game, sacking quarterback Brady Davidson twice or three times while batting down a pass at the line of scrimmage.

Matthew Scarlett and Jordan Bellamy are likely to see playing time as well, with Scarlett being the most experienced among the current defensive tackles. Don’t forget about North Carolina A&T transfer Christopher Allen, either, who the Huskies signed late this spring. Allen is a 6-foot-4, 285-pound nose tackle with 15 starts across 22 career games in the FCS. If he’s able to learn NIU’s system quickly, he should earn a backup role in fall camp and could even work his way into the starting conversation.

Linebackers

Starters: Jack Murray (Fr.), Broderick Windham (Sr.)
Backups: Cooper Mau (Jr.), Jashawn Nelson (R-Fr.)
Reserves: Deacon King (Fr.), Brady Kerperin (R-So.), Trey Porter (R-Sr.), Eliot Hummer (R-Fr.)
Summer enrollees: Ross Odgen (Fr.)

Analysis: No position was hit harder than linebacker this offseason. The unit lost its five most experienced players, including starters Quinn Urwiler (gone pro) and Filip Maciorowski (transferred). Now, the Huskies might be turning to true freshman Jack Murray to anchor the defense.

Murray, a three-star recruit, is already wearing the green dot in his first college practices, meaning he’s been trusted as the on-field defensive play-caller. He also made one of the biggest plays in Saturday’s spring game, intercepting Davidson to set up the eventual game-winning touchdown run by Jalen Macon. Interim head coach Rob Harley had high praise for Murray’s physicality and football intelligence.

“That might be one of the smartest guys we’ve ever coached,” Harley said of Murray. “They don’t come around often, especially as a true freshman, but he’s playing lights out right now.”

With Murray expected to man the middle of the defense, former JUCO transfer Broderick “Brody” Windham makes sense to start on the weak side. Windham switched from safety to linebacker this spring — just as past starters Jaden Dolphin and DaRon Gilbert once did — after appearing in all 12 games last season. His background as a defensive back should translate well to the coverage demands of the position.

Should either of them struggle or miss time, newcomer Cooper Mau and returner Jashawn Nelson can provide solid depth at the Mike and Will spots, respectively.

Cornerbacks

Starters: Dev’ion Reynolds (R-So.), Liam Lindo (R-Sr.)
Backups: Amari Williams (R-Fr.), Yassine Falke (Jr.),
Reserves: Marshall Washington (Jr.), James Little IV (So.), Romelo Walker (R-So.)
Summer enrollees: Jalen Carter (Fr.), Cristian Harkins (Fr.), Omar Williams Jr. (Fr.)

Analysis: Dev’ion Reynolds is coming off an impressive season in which he posted one of the lowest catch rates allowed among Mid-American Conference cornerbacks at 43.8%. He’s also the only returning starter from last year’s secondary, making him the clear favorite to step in as the Huskies’ No. 1 corner this season. It’s a good bet Reynolds will pair on the outside with Bryant transfer Liam Lindo, who got two interceptions and didn’t allow a touchdown in 2025.

Behind them, there’s a mix of intriguing options. Amari Williams and JUCO transfer Yassine Falke have both flashed this spring, each coming away with a pick against Macon in Saturday’s spring game. Falke, in particular, has stood out with the large cluster of flame stickers on his helmet, which are rewarded for takeaways. LIU transfer Marshall Washington is another name to watch as he pushes for a role in the cornerback rotation.

Nickelback

Starter: Aaron Warren (R-Sr.)
Backup: Avery Jones (Sr.)
Reserves: Austin Tillman (R-Fr.), Justus Donahoo (Fr.)

Analysis: The nickelback plays an important role in NIU’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme. The position is a hybrid of sorts, blending the coverage skills of a cornerback with the tackling and run support abilities of a linebacker or safety. As nickels coach Gabe Torres puts it, it’s the spark of the defense.

Ty Myles and Taylor Powell provided that spark last year. This year, it looks like it’ll be one of either Aaron Warren or Avery Jones. Both joined the program as transfers over the winter – Warren from Division II Eastern New Mexico and Jones from FCS Lafayette. It’s difficult to tell who has the upper hand in the competition after spring, but size and experience favors Warren as the choice.

The 6-foot-3, 208-pounder enters his fifth season of college football. Warren spent his first three years at the JUCO level before moving up to D2 at ENMU. Meanwhile, this season will be just Jones’ second playing defensive back after making the switch from wide receiver prior to last spring. Still, he’s a legitimate contender for the nickel role after snagging three interceptions in 2025.

Safeties

Starters: Malik Armstrong (R-Sr.), Justin Harris (R-Jr.)
Backups: Tyrese Stanley (R-Jr.), Kyon Conyers (Jr.)
Reserves: Keagan Ruane-Martino (R-Fr.), Andruw Ellis (R-Fr.)
Summer enrollees: Champ Smith III (Fr.)

Analysis: The Huskies will have a new starting safety tandem in 2026. Malik Armstrong is expected to replace Jasper Beeler at free safety after serving as his backup over the final three games of 2025. The converted wide receiver has played in 26 games over the past three seasons, including 19 at defensive back.

Central State transfer Justin Harris looks poised to be Armstrong’s counterpart at strong safety. Harris posted 26 tackles last year, along with four pass breakups and three interceptions. Fellow newcomers Tyrese Stanley and Kyon Conyers, who each bring starting experience from the lower levels, should also factor into the rotation.

Special teams

Starters: K JJ Schlenhardt (R-Fr.), P Jake Ference (So.), LS Jason Evans (Jr.), KR Dev’ion Reynolds, PR DeAree Rogers
Backups: None (for now)
Summer enrollees: K Ryan Short (R-Sr.), K/P Carter Klementzos (Fr.), LS Troy Stumbaugh (Fr.)

Analysis: Jake Ference was one of the best punters in the MAC last season, averaging 43.7 yards per punt as a true freshman. Eight of his 30 punts went at least 50 yards, and six were downed inside the 20-yard line. JJ Schlenhardt has been unopposed at kicker this spring, but that won’t last much longer. Butler transfer Ryan Short is set to join the team this summer and is likely to take over the starting role. Short went 26-for-30 (86.7%) on field goals over the past two seasons with the Bulldogs, with a long of 45 yards.

The return game remains in good hands with Dev’ion Reynolds and DeAree Rogers back in the fold. Reynolds earned All-MAC third-team honors as a return specialist last season after averaging 25.3 yards per kickoff return — the 16th-best mark in the FBS. He also took one back 96 yards for a touchdown in last year’s opener against Holy Cross. Rogers is expected to continue handling punt return duties after fielding nine punts for 70 yards in 2025.