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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU redshirt sophomore running back Jaylen Poe (28) celebrates with redshirt junior offensive lineman Abiathur Curry (55) after scoring a rushing touchdown during 11-on-11 drills in the team's Spring Showcase on Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Curry and Poe are projected to have large roles on the Huskies' offense this season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Projecting NIU football’s offensive starters after spring ball

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | May 5, 2025

NIU football is one step closer to its swansong season in the Mid-American Conference after wrapping up a four-week stretch of spring practices last week. The 15 practices, including the annual Spring Showcase on April 26, offered an early glimpse...

Senior defensive end Roy Williams (97) celebrates after receiving a “The Hard Way” recognition for his performance during the 2024 season. Williams enters the upcoming season as one of the most experienced players on NIU’s new-look defense. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: NIU football hosts Spring Showcase

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist | April 29, 2025

NIU redshirt senior offensive lineman J.J. Lippe (79) signals a first down as redshirt senior offensive lineman Logan Zschernitz (65) faces the huddle during NIU’s season finale against Central Michigan University on Nov. 30 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Lippe and Zschernitz were among four NIU football players signed by NFL teams as undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft concluded Saturday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

4 former Huskies sign UDFA deals with NFL teams, 2 earn minicamp invites

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | April 29, 2025

DeKALB – For the sixth straight year, no NIU football players were selected in the annual NFL draft, but six seniors have earned opportunities to play at the next level. Four former Huskies – fullback Brock Lampe (New England Patriots), offensive...

NIU redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (15) takes a snap during 11-on-11 drills in NIU’s Spring Showcase on Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Holst, who started three games in 2024, has been NIU’s presumed starting quarterback during spring practices. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Offense shines at NIU football’s spring showcase

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | April 27, 2025

DeKALB – The NIU football team hosted its annual spring showcase Saturday, giving the Huskie fanbase its first look at the team’s new-look lineups. After opening the practice with warm-ups and position drills, the Huskies spent most of the day...

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (left) and redshirt junior quarterback Jalen Macon drop back to pass during NIU’s first spring football practice on Thursday inside the Chessick Practice Center in DeKalb. Holst and Macon are two of the top contenders to be the Huskies’ starting quarterback in 2025. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

3 takeaways from NIU football’s first spring practice

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 27, 2025

NIU football kicked off its 15-practice spring schedule Thursday morning with a nearly two-hour session inside the Chessick Practice Center. The practice was open to the media and featured familiar and fresh faces on the roster and coaching staff.  As...

NIU football players celebrate after a participant knocks down a tackling dummy during the Field of Dreams event Tuesday morning at Huskie Stadium. The event was hosted by the Beautiful Lives Organization, which creates custom events to promote inclusion for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. (Skyler Kisellus | Northern Star)

NIU, Beautiful Lives Project team up for football field day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 18, 2025

DeKALB — NIU football players and local community members gathered Tuesday morning at Huskie Stadium’s Brigham Field for a common purpose: the Field of Dreams. Not to be mistaken for the 1989 sports film starring Kevin Costner, the Field of Dreams...

Redshirt senior tight end Tristen Tewes (left) engages with a blocking pad held by redshirt senior offensive lineman J.J. Lippe during NIU's Pro Day on Wednesday inside the Chessick Practice Center. Tewes and Lippe were two of the 17 Huskies to work out in front of NFL scouts. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies showcase talents for NFL scouts at Pro Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 18, 2025

DeKALB — On the same day NIU students resumed classes after a week-long spring break, representatives from 22 NFL teams converged upon DeKalb to watch the school’s latest class of draft prospects put their skills on display. NIU hosted its annual...

Former linebacker Tyler Jackson runs the three-cone drill during NIU’s annual Pro Day on March 7, 2024, inside the Chessick Practice Center. The school will hold its next Pro Day on Monday, with 18 total players expected to attend. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU to host Pro Day for draft hopefuls

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 15, 2025

DeKALB – NIU will host its annual Pro Day on Monday, giving its band of draft-eligible players a chance to showcase their skills in front of an audience of professional scouts. Players will first undergo testing in the Northwestern Medicine Sports...

NIU football players run onto the field ahead of their non-conference game against North Carolina State University on Sept. 28 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. On Wednesday, NIU released its football schedule for the 2025 season, which will be its last in the Mid-American Conference. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

MAC farewell tour: NIU unveils 2025 football schedule

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 5, 2025

DeKALB – With its final season in the Mid-American Conference on the horizon, NIU released its 2025 football schedule Wednesday, which features matchups with two Power Four opponents and both of last season’s MAC championship contenders. NIU, who...

NIU President Lisa Freeman (left), Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier and head football coach Thomas Hammock speak to the media during a Jan. 7 press conference announcing NIU football will join the Mountain West Conference in 2026. The move marks the second time in school history that NIU will leave the Mid-American Conference. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

KISELLUS: NIU’s Mountain West move isn’t 1980s déjà vu

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 13, 2025

Once upon a time, NIU made the daring decision to leave the confines of the Mid-American Conference and venture out into the great unknown of independence. What followed was an embarrassing saga that eventually brought the Huskies back to where they started. Four...

Members of the NIU football team gather in the huddle during the 117th Homecoming game against the University of Toledo on Oct. 19 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. NIU signed four football players on National Signing Day on Wednesday, putting the Huskies’ 2025 recruiting class at 24 signees. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU football adds 4 on National Signing Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | February 6, 2025

DeKALB – After signing 20 freshmen during the Early Signing Period in December, NIU football wasn’t nearly as busy on National Signing Day on Wednesday, welcoming just four new faces. The Huskies added fullback Devin Habermehl, defensive tackle...

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