DEKALB, Ill. – Having experience and depth are always important for a successful defensive line, but when you talk to players and coaches on the NIU defensive line, a common theme that comes up as a key to their success is family.

“They care for each other,” said NIU defensive line coach Brett Diersen. “They actually enjoy each other, not just on the field or in the meeting room, they hang out with each other off the field. A lot of them are roommates together. I think it is a family atmosphere and I don’t think anyone is above anyone else.”

Senior Perez Ford (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) agrees with Diersen’s assessment, citing his class as a big reason why.

“We are family,” said Ford. “About half of the d-line was in my recruiting class, so we all came in together and we have been best friends since day one.”

A Second Team All-MAC selection a season ago, Ford is one of the most experienced players on the defensive side of the ball for the Huskies, having appeared in 42 games in his first three seasons. In 2014, the Romeoville, Ill., native was one of just four Huskie defenders to start all 14 games as he posted five sacks and nine tackles for loss.

In addition to his own production, Diersen sees leadership as a key to what Ford brings to the Huskie defensive front.

“He has done a lot of good things and I think the biggest thing right now is he is leading,” Diersen explained. “He has taken guys under his wing and is letting them know how to do it and why to do it. There is more out there for him, he hasn’t reached the top of his game yet and he knows it.”

When asked how he tries to lead, Ford has a pretty simple answer.

“I try to teach them to learn from my mistakes,” said Ford. “That is one thing that has aided me because when you are young it is like a curse. When you are a freshmen you are going to mess up, that’s just part of being a young guy, so I try to tell them to learn from me, learn from the guys around you, and you will be a great player.

Another one of the four Huskies on defense to start all 14 games last season was sophomore William Lee (Indianapolis, Ind./Arsenal Tech). After redshirting his first season on campus in 2013, Lee made an immediate impact during his first year on the field as he recorded 22 tackles, including nine solo efforts and three tackles for loss.

Joining the Huskies in 2014 following two successful years at Monroe College (N.Y.), senior Ben Compton (Windsor, Conn./Windsor/Monroe College) appeared in all 14 games a season ago. Compton played a key role in NIU’s success at the end of the season as he recorded four-or-more tackles in each of the final three games of the season, including a sack in the regular season finale at Western Michigan and 1.5 sacks in the MAC Championship game against Bowling Green.

Adding even more experience at defensive tackle is junior Mario Jones (Chicago, Ill./Hubbard). A veteran of 24 games, including a pair of starts, over the last two seasons, Jones posted a monster game a season ago at Ohio with eight tackles.

Along with Ford on the edge, senior Cameron Clinton-Earl (Milwaukee, Wis./Hamilton) also saw action in all 14 games a season ago at defensive end. Clinton-Earl registered 19 total tackles in 2014, including 10 solo stops

With 21 games played over the past two seasons, junior Ladell Fleming (Chicago, Ill./Julian) brings additional experience and versatility to the NIU defensive front. Fleming recorded 24 tackles a season ago, including 10 solo stops, and tied a career-high with five tackles in the MAC Championship game against Bowling Green.

While the NIU defensive line may lack a superstar, Diersen likes the overall makeup of the group and the experience they bring to this season’s team.

“I think it’s a good group, but I don’t think anyone has arrived,” said Diersen. “There is more to learn so you always keep pushing. The nicest thing with this group is they have been with me for a little bit. They know the terminology, they know the expectations of the program, but you are always pushing, every single practice.”

PRACTICE NOTES

Following its only two-a-day of camp on Thursday, NIU returned to the practice field on Thursday afternoon under clear, cool skies in DeKalb.

The Huskies will return to the field on Friday morning at 9:55 a.m., in the final practice before Saturday’s scrimmage.

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.