After missing a bowl game invitation by less than a minute last season, the NIU football team has been busy in the offseason and has 15 verbal commitments. Of the recruits, 12 are from Illinois, two are from Indiana and one is from Missouri. In a Jan. 13 article, Taylor Bell of the Chicago Sun-Times called the Huskies’ recruiting class No. 1 in the MAC. Potential break-out performers include wide receiver Marcus Lewis of Warren Township High School, offensive lineman Panan Tense of Fenwick High School and defensive back John Tranchitella of Driscoll Catholic High School.

Former NIU cornerback to make AFL debut

After spending the last two years with the San Francisco 49ers, former NIU defensive back Randee Drew will play for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League this season. The two-time All-MAC selection played cornerback for the Huskies from 2000 to 2003 and tallied 14 interceptions in 44 games. Upon graduation, Drew was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the 49ers and spent last season in NFL Europe with the Amsterdam Admirals and Cologne Centurions.

Jacobs leaving early

The NIU defense has one less quarterback to worry about next year. Bowling Green’s junior signal caller Omar Jacobs announced on Jan. 6 that he will forego his senior season and will declare for the NFL draft. In 2004, Jacobs set an NCAA record for touchdown to interception ratio with 41 scores to only 4 picks. Despite sitting out two games due to injury in 2005, Jacobs still set the Bowling Green career touchdown passes mark with 71.