2021 Northern Illinois Huskies

[Leonardfan]

Since 2006, NIU has started 11, 11, 14, 12, 11, 7, 7, 9, 6, 8, 10, 9, 10 and 7 white players. In 2021 the Huskies are projected to start 10.

Rocky Lombardi is the big name here. He started 11 games for the Spartans over the past two seasons and should be the QB for NIU for the next 2-3 years. While inconsistent at Michigan St I can't see any other QBs beating him out. The victory over Michigan last year was one of my favorite moments of the season.

In looking over the roster they have some interesting underclassmen - OL Leif Engstrand is 6-8 331 lbs as a RS Freshman. They also have two big freshman interior D-Linemen in Jack Hugunin 6-2 300 lbs and Cade Haberman 6-2 290 lbs (was recruited as an OL). All three are midwest kids - Engstrand hails from WI, Hugunin from IL and Haberman from NE. DE Liam Rempel may be a name to watch down the road as well. There is some depth for the future.

RB Clint Ratkovich transfers over from Western Illinois. He has been named a team captain. At Western Illinois he appeared to be utilized as a runner/receiver. It would be nice if he could have a productive senior season become a focal point of the offense.

Offense
QB Rocky Lombardi
FB Brett Bostad
WR Cole Tucker
TE Liam Soraghan
LG John Champe
C Brayden Patton
RG Logan Zschernitz
RT Nolan Potter

Defense
LB Nick Rattin
S Jordan Hansen

 

[TwentyTwo]

Thanks for the head's up LF on RB Clint Ratkovich. Follow him on the FCS Weekly(2 years ago) updates when he played for the Western Illinois Leathernecks. He was a Swiss Army Knife. NFLScout .com pre season list (Lindy's NFL) had Ratkovich as the 5th Best Fullback in the country (behind Horvath /Purdue & Chenal/Wisconsin)...despite only being 6-0 220lbs.

DB Jordan Hansen was impressive as a true freshman!

MAC 's season started so late last season (6 game schedule)

 

[El Gringo]

Looks like his coach sees him as a Kyle Juszczyk, which means maybe 1 carry every other game and a couple receptions a game. He’s up for the Hornung award for the most versatile player at least. https://niuhuskies.com/news/2021/7/...kovich-named-to-hornung-award-watch-list.aspx

 

[Bucky]

Good looking squad. Awesome to see Ratkovich transfer up!

 

[Leonardfan]

Thanks for the head's up LF on RB Clint Ratkovich. Follow him on the FCS Weekly(2 years ago) updates when he played for the Western Illinois Leathernecks. He was a Swiss Army Knife. NFLScout .com pre season list (Lindy's NFL) had Ratkovich as the 5th Best Fullback in the country (behind /Purdue & Chenal/Wisconsin)...despite only being 6-0 220lbs.

DB Jordan Hansen was impressive as a true freshman!

MAC 's season started so late last season (6 game schedule)

Ratkovich was a nice surprise. I do hope he is utilized. He seems to have a Brian Leonard like skill set. Rooting for him and the Huskies this year.