Throughout fall camp, NIUHuskies.com will preview every position on the 2015 Northern Illinois University football team, beginning today with tight ends and fullbacks. Wednesday's position group: Linebackers.

DEKALB, Ill. -- As Northern Illinois University head football coach Rod Carey says at the start of every season, every year is a new team. It may seem like coach-speak to many, but it's true. With the departure of the previous year's seniors and influx of freshmen and newcomers, the dynamic of the team changes.

Perhaps no position on the Huskie football team best exemplifies that this season more than the tight ends/fullbacks. With the loss of tight ends Luke Eakes and Tim Semisch and fullbacks Rob Sterling and Ricky Connors to graduation, the dynamic in the tight end/fullback room has changed dramatically.

"Obviously, going into the room last year, being my first year, I had a senior-heavy room," said second-year tight ends/fullbacks coach Craig Harmon. "I had some juniors and some young guys, I was blessed with a lot of good players in that room.

"With a senior-heavy room, a lot of those guys are gone. However, a lot of those guys from last year are still here. We have some very good young talent that we're seeing out there everyday."

This year's group is led by senior tight end Desroy Maxwell. He has appeared in 40 games in three seasons at NIU with 14 career starts. Equally adept as a blocker and receiver, he has 20 career receptions for 203 yards and one touchdown. Carey has seen the development of Maxwell the last four years firsthand.

"He had great hands to start with," Carey said. "He's bigger, stronger, and faster. He runs better routes. He knows the offense better. His first steps are better. His pad level is better. All the little things are better. With that being said, he's got to keep getting those things better. He's not a finished product yet."

If it may be a shock to you that he is a senior, you're not the only one. Maxwell, who ran 35 yards on a fake punt as a freshman in the Huskies appearance in the 2013 Orange Bowl, is just as surprised it's his senior year.

"It creeped up on me kind of quick," said Maxwell, "It was kind of unexpected. I can still remember being a freshman, playing with Jason Schepler, Luke Eakes and all those guys. I felt like I was going to have them around forever."

Being around guys like Schepler and Eakes the last three years, Maxwell learned just as much about being a leader from guys like Schepler and Eakes, as he did about playing the position.

"They were always on task and they were great leaders," he said. "I just picked that up from them and want to pass that along to the young guys."

Now the veteran in the room, everyone looks up to Maxwell. He even has his own protégé in the room to mentor in redshirt sophomore Shane Wimann, who can play both the tight end and fullback positions. After two years learning the Huskie offense, Wimann feels quite comfortable playing both positions.

"When I was a freshman, I didn't want to be playing those two spots," Wimann said. "I wanted to focus on one spot so I could learn the playbook and get better at that one position, but then, I feel like playing the two positions, I get a better grasp of the total offense. I really like that."

Joining Maxwell and Wimann at tight end are senior Kevin Tennenbaum, freshmen Daniel Crawford, Ryan Roberts and Denzel Tolliver and sophomore Ryan Stendler.

Fighting for that lead spot at fullback are freshmen Aaron Fischer and Ross Sealby and junior Terrell Harris, who saw action in two games last year as a reserve linebacker, but moved to fullback during spring practice.

Practice Notes

With clear blue skies, a cool breeze and temperatures in the low 80s, Tuesday's practice at Huskie Stadium was quite a contrast from yesterday's workout when the Huskies were dodging raindrops and thunderstorms in the area.

The defense had the edge in the first Team session of the day. Anthony Brooks had a nice interception off Drew Hare on the first series and Jamaal Payton picked up a bobbled hand off and took it 30 yards the other way on the second series.

However, the NIU offense closed out the two-hour practice strong. In a period of red zone situations, the Huskie offensive unit moved the ball and reached the end zone a few times. Carey was pleased with today's practice.

"I think there was good back and forth there," Carey said. "I think the offense responded at the end, but overall, I'd have to give it to the defense for the most part. They're probably ahead. The offense is moving too. There's good give and take. I'm never happy either way and I'm never sad either way.

NIU turned in its second-straight day of work in full pads practicing for 24 periods. While the Huskies aren't showing any ill effects after the yesterday's first day in full pads, they are still adjusting to moving around in all their gear.

"They're learning how to work," Carey said. "It's the second day in pads. We haven't been in full pads since April when spring ball ended. So it's been a long time. Second day in pads, they're getting used to them and learning how to push through it."

NIUHuskies.com's 2015 Camp Central is your place for all the news and updates on the NIU Football team's preparations for the 2015 season. There you'll find practice updates, position previews, video interviews and highlights as well as practice schedule changes and more all throughout camp.

NIU Football 2015 season tickets are still on sale and remain the best value in Chicagoland. Season ticket prices begin for as little as $99, a 61 percent discount off the single game price. Other ticket options include two different three-game mini-plans for just $75, the new Huskie Family Pack, which includes four season tickets in sections A, B, F or G of Huskie Stadium for just $299 or the Young Alumni Ticket, with two East Side season tickets for $115 for all 2014-15 NIU graduates. Faculty and staff, senior citizens (62 and over) and NIU Alumni Association members can purchase season tickets for just $115.

In addition to the Seats for Soldiers program for donated tickets, single game, three-game mini-plan and group tickets are on sale now. Check out the 50th Anniversary ticket special presented by Hy-Vee offering tickets in section A and G on the West Side of Huskie Stadium for $19.65 each. These tickets are available for purchase online only by using the promo code "1965" CLICK HERE to order.

To become an NIU season ticket holder or to purchase mini-plans, the Family Pack or single game tickets, go online anytime to NIUHuskies.com/tickets or call 815-753-PACK (7225) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Or check out the premium areas available for 2015, including bench back seating, the Coaches' Club or the new End Zone Club! The Huskies' newest premium area is located at field level, just outside of the South End Zone and provides fans with a completely unique view of the action, as well as food and beverages. For more information, go to huskieathleticfund.com.

-NIU-