Along with the emergence of the NIU football team has come an increase in Huskie players in the NFL.

Members of the 2003 squad – Michael Turner (San Diego Chargers), Akil Grant (Tennessee Titans) and P.J. Fleck (San Francisco 49ers) are still on active rosters, while Randee Drew and Todd Ghilani’s dreams aren’t dead yet. Steve Azar worked out with the New York Giants, while Nick Duffy showed his skills for the Chicago Bears and the Buffalo Bills.

Akil Grant

The free agent strong safety wasted little time making his presence felt, intercepting a Luke McCown pass in Tennessee’s first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.

The Kankakee native faces an uphill battle in making the Titans squad, as proven veterans Tank Williams and Scott McGarrahan are ahead of him on the depth chart. Grant saw time in Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, but did not register any tackles.

“Akil Grant’s doing really well in Tennessee right now,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “It’s a reward for all the effort he’s put into it.”

Michael Turner

“The Burner” is resting easier after his second preseason game.

In the Chargers’ first game against the Colts, Turner was grounded for 7 yards on eight carries. The North Chicago native fared much better against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, rushing for a game-high 54 yards on 12 carries. Included was a 28-yard scamper, the longest run by a Charger this preseason.

The 5-foot-10, 237-pound Turner has five catches for 24 yards on the preseason. He is fighting for the third halfback spot along with veteran Doug Chapman and Miami-Ohio alumnus Calvin Murray.

P.J. Fleck

Despite being called Harry Potter by an opponent and being mistaken for a member of a youth group by one of his teammates, Fleck has made a name for himself with San Francisco.

He caught two passes for 46 yards in Saturday’s preseason game against the Chicago Bears and wound up as a finalist on the 49ers’ Web site for player of the game.

Fleck gained a reputation at NIU as the ultimate team player, and the dog-eat-dog world of the NFL has made an impression on the Kaneland native.

“This is usually a team-oriented sport, but until the final roster is set everybody’s pretty much out for themselves,” Fleck said. “I just try to compete every day. If I don’t make the team, at least I’ll have made the other players better.”

Todd Ghilani

Ghilani’s aspirations still have life, as the St. Louis Rams are in the market for a center but are waiting to see if a veteran lineman becomes available. If not, a workout with the Rams is likely, Ghilani said. He participated in the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie mini-camp earlier this year.

“I’m trying not to get too excited about it because it’s out of my hands,” said Ghilani, who, if things don’t work out with the Rams, will complete his degree in health education at NIU. “I’m just working out and staying in shape in case I get another chance.”

If the Rams come calling, Ghilani hopes to be able to maximize his strengths.

“I bring a little bit something different to the field than most centers,” Ghilani said. “I can do the run blocking, but my strength is getting out in the open field and making plays. I can get out there on screens and I can pull. There’s only a handful of teams in the NFL who utilize their centers like that.”

Randee Drew

The 5-foot-8 cornerback became expendable when the 49ers and coach Dennis Erickson needed to clear roster space to make room for defensive linemen. He was released Aug. 6. His agent has placed calls to several teams and all have expressed interest in Drew, he said.

“They told me it was nothing I did,” Drew said. “Coach Erickson liked my effort, liked what I did, but it was just a numbers game. It’s a business.

“I was down for a couple days, but certain things happen for a reason. At least I know I gave it my all and busted my ass every day,” Drew said.

“Now it’s just a waiting game. Every time my phone rings I get excited,” he said.