There is a ‘sleeper’ on every roster.

In the NCAA, every new school year ushers in a new batch of ‘sleepers’: hidden gems with limitless and undiscovered talent.

An abundance of talent will make these Huskies household names for all NIU fans.

In football, look out for redshirt freshman center Eddie Adamski.

The 6-foot-2, 265 pounder will assume the calls on the line after the departure of two year starter Brian Van Acker.

“Eddie is a very smart, physical, intelligent player,” said NIU coach Joe Novak. “He is going to be an outstanding player here.”

Lining up at either outside linebacker position is freshman John Tranchitella. A two-way iron-man dynamo in high school, Tranchitella will focus his skill set solely on defense.

“John is very instinctive,” Novak said. “He’s smart, picks the game up easily, and has great ball skills.”

A novice linebacker who played safety at Driscoll high school, Tranchitella will rely on his speed during the Sept. 2 match up with Ohio State.

A pair of center defenders will shine in men’s soccer. Keeping the opposition at bay will be juniors Steve Algozino and Chris Rufa.

“It is a tall order to shut down the strikers of the opposing team,” said NIU coach Steve Simmons. “They lead the entire team from the back and organize the players in the front.”

The defensive duo might not always have incredible marks on a stat sheet, but are indispensable defensive components to a team that looks to crack the top 25 for the second straight year.

“Algozino is one of the best winner of balls in the air in the country,” Simmons said. “Rufa is a converted midfielder that has the ability to attack, and spring balls in the attack.”

A trio of freshman will make an impact for the women’s soccer team.

Lisa Maier, Kelly Mullany and Micaela Damas will log heavy minutes for coach Marci Miller’s restocked lineup.

“All three have an aggressiveness and a presence that you don’t usually find in freshman,” assistant coach Paul Jobson said. “All are very good in the air, are powerful, strong and have confidence.”

With a ferocious style of play, Damas has already earned a new nick name from her teammates.

“I’m loud. Real loud on the field,” the Kansas native said. “I am the one grunting on the field at all times. The men’s team came to watch us, and they refer to me as ‘ugh’ now.”

A player with a style reminiscent of a young Phil Mickelson will break out on the men’s golf team this fall.

Junior Zach Jecklin is a birdie making machine that can ride a hot streak to the top of the leader boards.

“Zach has a great short game,” NIU coach John Cleary said. “He can hit a streak of wildness but save it with a short game that is creative and daring.”

Cleary also will count on freshmen Greg Bauman and Andrew Frame to post low rounds.

So you don’t follow women’s golf?

Senior Lisa Bailey and her awesome iron play are reason enough to start. Bailey will vie for the spot of “top dog,” the score coach Pam Tyska will count on most.

“Lisa has great command of her shot,” Tyska said. “She can control her location into the green. She is very focused, and doesn’t make many mistakes.”

With the graduation of her older sister Jackie Bailey, Lisa is one of two seniors left on the roster.

Junior Abbie Many will also step up after having a great summer on the links.

A ball hawk that plays with a controlled chaos. That’s the way that volleyball coach Ray Gooden describes the play of 4’10” senior Gina Guide.

“She brings a level of stability to our team,” Gooden said. “She want to be involved in play all the time.”

Guide holds down the libero position, the center fielder on the court, and already owns the NIU career mark for digs.

Catch the aforementioned in action as soon as you can; they won’t be sleepers for long.