When linebacker Nick Duffy was recruited by NIU, they intended on redshirting him his freshman year. When Duffy came to camp in August of 2000, the scenario changed.

“We needed Nick to play that year,” NIU Coach Joe Novak said. “We were turning the corner here, and we thought he had to play to help us win. And he did.”

Duffy came into camp the No. 6 middle linebacker for NIU, but quickly moved up the depth chart. When the season started, he became middle linebacker Kevin Selover’s backup as a freshman.

The 6-foot-2 linebacker said that getting to play his freshman year helped him more than anything.

“I was real fortunate coming from a great high school: we won the state championship, great coaching,” said Duffy, who played at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. “I thought it put me ahead of the other freshmen coming in. I think that’s a big reason why I played my freshman year. It was beneficial to me because as soon as I started my sophomore year I had game experience.”

Duffy’s roommate, cornerback Rob Lee, redshirted his freshman year and has mixed feelings about his roommate playing his freshman year.

“When guys redshirt, it gives them a year to get bigger, stronger, faster, really get to know the program better,” Lee said. “But the team needed him as a young pup and he did the job when he was young, too.”

Lee and Duffy have been roommates for three years. Lee said most people might not know that Duffy is a crazy, funny guy who brings excitement and puts a smile on everyone’s face.

“I like to see people laugh,” Duffy said. “When I’m around people, when we go out, I like people to have a good time.”

When Duffy came to NIU, he said he had no idea of the teams’ 23-game losing streak from 1997-98. After nine straight losing seasons, Duffy came in and helped the Huskies to three straight winning records as well as their current No. 16 ranking in the nation.

“We’re the ones laughing now,” Duffy said.

Despite winning a high school championship, Duffy said going to and winning a bowl game at NIU would be even better.

“High school is fun,” Duffy said. “When you’re in high school you think there’s nothing else really going on. When you come here, though, this is a much bigger deal. This right here is much more important than any state championship you can win.”

Novak said he knew that when Duffy came out of high school, he knew Duffy would be special. That is why he said Duffy was needed back then, as well as now.

“He’s what I think Northern Illinois football is all about,” Novak said. “Tough, likes football, likes to play, likes to win, those are the things you look for in a football player.”