QB

Phil Horvath is gone and so are the quarterback controversies of last year, as this is clearly Dan Nicholson's team.

The junior from Brother Rice high school has two years experience under his belt, including a 2005 season in which he took over for an injured Horvath and led the team to three straight victories.

Last year, Nicholson played in seven games and threw for 658 yards and five touchdowns but with six interceptions.

Grade: B-

He has experience but this is the year he needs to show what he's made of.

RB

The running back position has always been a point of pride at NIU.Every few years, one star leaves and another emerges.

This year, Coach Novak will take a running back-by-committee approach to start off the season to see who can replace Garrett Wolfe.

Junior Montell Clanton has been named the starter for the opener against Iowa but

Justin Anderson will see significant time and true freshman Chad Spann figures to see some action.

Clanton is coming off an season-ending injury last year and will have to prove he can stay healthy. Anderson has the strength and speed but like the rest of the backs, but is unproven, having only 25 carries last season. Spann turned heads in camp but is probably a year or two away.

Grade: C-

The potential is there, it just needs to be displayed. Under Wolfe, the Huskies lost four fumbles, the second lowest total in D 1-A. This group also needs to prove they can hang onto the ball.

OL

Doug Free is gone and the offensive line is a huge concern heading into this season.

However, three starters from last year return in center Eddie Adamski, right guard Jason Onyebuagu, and the lone senior of the unit, left tackle Chris Acevedo. Junior Jon Brost is expected to start at right tackle and has the most career starts of the group.

Tim Mayerbock is expected to get the start at left guard. The redshirt sophomore played in the last 10 games of 2006 but is the most inexperienced of the group.

Grade: C-

Very talented group but young. The lack of experience may contribute to them getting worn out too soon, setting up for quite an interesting fourth quarter.

WR

This looks to be a strong point for NIU this season. Junior's Britt Davis and Marcus Perez both started and were the leading receivers from a year ago.

Everyone is still waiting for Davis to break-out and reach his full potential. Junior Matt Simon played in all 13 games last year and was the third-leading receiver.

Junior Greg Turner has impressed former Huskie and current wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck as more of a possession-type of receiver. Also, Freshman Landon Cox will also look to make an immediate impact.

Grade: B-

Talented and fast. Younger guys need to step up and help out Davis, Perez and Simon to solidify the corps.

Defensive line

All eyes this preseason have been focused on defensive end Larry English, but the Huskie's line is more than a one-man show.

English is returning after a sophomore season in which he performed a 12-sack symphony.

However, English isn't the only one with the power to bring down the opposing team's quarterback. At 6-foot-4 and 274 pounds, defensive tackle Craig Rusch showed his power last season. In 11 games he provided the Huskies with six sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.

Nose guard Alex Krutsch also saw limited time last season due to an injury. In seven games the 6-foot-2, 258-pounder had a sack and blocked kick. Brandon Bice starts as the other defensive end. The sophomore had one sack last year as he only played in three games as a freshman.

Grade: A-

Linebackers

With 111 tackles, team captain Tim McCarthy is the Huskies leading returning tackler. However, McCarthy has missed the last week of practice due to a staph infection.

The junior said on Tuesday that he felt "great" and that he "was almost back at 100 percent."

He was going to try and practice on Tuesday.

It seems more unlikely that linebacker Phil Brown will be on the field Saturday.

"Phil Brown academically is still on the bubble. He's got to petition something. We probably wont' know till Thursday," NIU head coach Joe Novak said. "And if he plays it will be very limited and would probably be in only an emergency situation, if he does."

Even if NIU is without the two it has depth at the position. Cory Hanson played in all 13 games last year and was number five in tackles. Middle linebacker John Tranchitella also played in all 13 games last season, and projected starting strong linebacker saw action in 11 games.

Grade: B

Secondary

Cornerbacks Melvin Rice and Chase Carter look to replace the Hansbro twins from last season.

In 13 games last season Rice had two picks and three broken up passes. Carter is a new comer to NIU, but is no a rookie. The transfer student made two interceptions and 33 tackles at Coffeyville Community College last season.

Although many expected to see Mark Reiter, Spencer Williamson, or both start as safety, the two will start the season on the depth charts as number twos.

"Spencer Williamson and Mark Reiter were our starters in the spring, but they got banged up and they haven't practiced much. Right now they're No. 2's," defensive backs coach John Hauser said. "Those guys are battling to get back on the field, pushing the ones and creating that competition to make everybody better."

With those two banged up, Bradley Pruitt and Alex Kube look to take on the load. Pruitt played in 12 games last season with 48 tackles, while Kube has yet to play as he was redshirted last season.

Grade: B