NIU quad captain Jake VerStraete doesn’t need to raise his voice to make his presence felt. He does stand 6 foot 7 and weigh 311 pounds, after all.

Not only that, the right tackle was a first-team All-MAC selection last season and has started 34 NIU games in a row.

“I’m more of the quiet type,” VerStraete said. “I lead by example.”

VerStraete is the anchor of an NIU offensive line that has allowed only three sacks in five games and led the way for a MAC-leading 195.6 rushing yards per game.

NIU coach Joe Novak is more than happy to have VerStraete as the glue that holds his offensive line together.

“There’s no question Jake’s the guy up front,” Novak said. “He’s the guy that sets the tone. The younger guys have extreme respect for him. He’s what you want the other guys to look to.”

VerStraete’s teammates selected him, Josh Haldi, Brian Atkinson and Lionel Hickenbottom to be their captains.

“I’m doing my best to represent [my teammates],” the Geneseo High graduate said. “It’s nice to know your teammates respect you and trust you with the responsibility.”

Ryan Diem, who starts at right tackle for the Indianapolis Colts, is the last NIU offensive lineman to make the NFL. VerStraete hopes to change that, but is focused on the task at hand.

“If it happens, it happens,” VerStraete said of the NFL. “That’s everybody’s dream come true. I’m just trying to have a good year and help us win that MAC championship.”