Football | August 17

DeKALB, Ill. ­– Like many position groups on the Northern Illinois University Football roster, the defensive line is young with 11 underclassmen fighting for positions just as hard as the five juniors and three seniors. Defensive line coach Brett Diersen thinks that the age of the player is a non-factor in who will play on the line over the course of the season.
 
"When it comes to the age of the player, I don't really care," said Diersen. "At the end of the day, we could put in four seniors, but that doesn't guarantee three sacks for us. Age just isn't a factor for us. It's who is putting in the effort and showing what they've got.
 
"A good defensive lineman has the eyes, and matches what they see with quick feet," continued Diersen. "The eyes are most important. They also have to have the determination to make a play."
 
At this point in camp, Diersen is happy to see the amount of determination and aggression that the linemen have displayed.
 
"Right now, we've got a lot of depth on the line," Diersen said. "There is a lot of healthy competition going on in practice, which is what we want to see. No one really stands out, because they are all making moves and showing their determination to be out there. Anyone could play in any position. We're not looking at anyone specifically. We have to have four guys out there doing their job."
 
The linemen, themselves, are feeling the same way as they move closer to the end of camp. Redshirt sophomore Sutton Smith (Saint Charles, Mo./Francis Howell) echoed Diersen's thoughts on the strengths of the unit.
 
"We feel great," said Smith, who contributed two tackles for loss and a sack at defensive end a year ago. "We're flying around the ball. Everyone's really putting in a hundred percent effort. It's just been a good team effort so far. Everyone is competing for every position. No position is set in stone. All of the coaches really harp on that because competing is really healthy for us, and it's only going to make us better on and off the field."
 
Smith, junior Josh Corcoran, senior Joe Sanders and sophomore Quintin Wynne are among the most experienced returnees at defensive end, also known as the "huskie" position at NIU. Newcomers true freshman Michael Lorbeck and junior college transfer Drequan Brown have worked their way into the rotation at the position during camp.  
 
"Camp is going really well," added sophomore defensive tackle Ben LeRoy (Wilmette, Ill./Loyola Academy). "Everyone is working their tails off. It's just a good camp. We're getting nice rests, so everyone is fresh and ready to go. Everybody is playing really hard and making each other better."
 
With the change in practice schedule this year for fall camp, the team is taking it to their advantage. Their extra time off the field is being used to study and recover to better themselves in time for the next practice.
 
"Having more rest helps us have time to watch more film, more time in the cold tub and more time just to get back to feeling good," said LeRoy. "We have time to get ready and be excited to play again."
 
As LeRoy prepares, he has seen some changes in himself that has primed him for his sophomore season.
 
"The game seems a lot slower for me this year. I've got a better feel for what I'm doing. I've worked on my pass rush, gained weight, worked on the run game to make me a better player," he said. "You've got to come to work every day, and if you come to work, you'll get what you want."
 
LeRoy, redshirt freshman Jack Heflin and junior college transfer Devin Webster along with veteran William Lee have seen the majority of the snaps at the defensive tackle spots so far in camp, while freshman Weston Kramer. 
 
PRACTICE NOTES: The Huskies took the field in shoulder pads, helmets and shorts today for practice 12 of camp, working for 90 minutes in comfortable temperatures. The offense got off to a rocky start with interceptions by redshirt senior Mycial Allen (Detroit, Mich./King) and redshirt junior Albert Smalls (Miramar, Fla./Monsignor Pace) ending in touchdowns. As practice progressed, the offense found its groove with a reception from wide receiver Chad Beebe (Aurora, Ill./Aurora Christian) ending in a touchdown before tailback Jordan Huff (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul's Episcopal) recorded another score for the Huskie offense.
 
CAREY ON THURSDAY'S PRACTICE: "We had our scrimmage on Tuesday, and then, we had a day off. They came out with the right attitude and really flew around. Then there was good back and forth. I'm disappointed with the couple of turnovers on offense, but at the same time, really glad to see the defense get a few. Good back and forth that way today. Penalties are probably a little bit of an issue. We've got to get cleaned up on offense, but overall really pleased with today."
 
The Huskies open the 2017 season Friday Sept. 1 when NIU plays host to Boston College in Huskie Stadium, as the Eagles become the first Atlantic Coast Conference opponent to play at NIU since 2003.
 
Single game tickets for all six home games this fall are now on sale online at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225). Season tickets offer the best value with options like the new $199 Family Pack featuring four tickets in sections A or G and a new, lowered $60 price for season tickets on the East Side with general admission seating.  Reserved seats in sections A, B, F and G are just $115 for the season, a cost of less than $20 per game.
 
Three-game mini-plans, priced at just $40 and featuring two different options, are also available. Mini-plan purchasers receive all the benefits of season ticket members, including exclusive invitations to special events throughout the year. Check NIUHuskies.com for all the details.
 
The Huskies will be back on the practice field Friday morning at 3:30 p.m. Check Training Camp Central on NIUHuskies.com for daily updates, videos and more.
 
 
-NIU-