DEKALB, Ill. -- While the Northern Illinois University running backs room may be a younger this season compared to years past, there is no shortage of leadership and talent.

Redshirt junior Keith Harris Jr. (Chicago, Ill./St. Leo), who missed the final 11 games with an injury, and junior Joel Bouagnon (Aurora, Ill./Aurora Christian), anchor the room. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Huff (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul's Episcopal), who started seeing his playing increase as the 2014 season went on, rounds out the returners in the room. All three backs have their own style and bring something different to the Huskie offense.

A threat running the ball or out of the backfield receiving, Bouagnon is the Huskies returning leading rusher. He finished 2014 with 655 yards, five touchdowns on 113 carries, while adding 70 yards receiving and a touchdown reception, on 13 receptions. A leader by example, NIU running backs coach Kelton Copeland challenged Bouagnon, who lets his actions due his talking, to be more of a vocal leader and he has responded.

"Joel is not the most out-spoken person in the world," Copeland said. "He's more of a lead-by-example type of guy. I've been on him about being vocal and he's done an awesome job."

Harris made his Huskie debut in 2012 against Iowa at Soldier Field. He reached the end zone, a seven-yard run, on his first collegiate carry. He finished his freshman year with 238 yards on 55 carries, both career highs. Unfortunately for Harris, he had been unable to finish each of his last two seasons.

"Keith Harris is probably a guy that a lot of people forgot about, because he ended up getting a medical, but he's a guy that definitely brings a lot to the table," Copeland said. "He has a lot of skill sets, very electric type guy with the ball hands in his hands."

Now in his third year in the Huskie offense, Huff is working his way into the mix this season. He showed flashes of greatest last season, playing in 11 games, earning one start. He rushed for 71 yards, including a career-high 25 in the 2014 MAC Championship Game, on nine carries and three touchdowns. He also made an impact on special teams, tallying 200 yards on eight kickoff returns. His 66-yard return against Kent State, the longest by a Huskie in 2014 set up a decisive field goal.

While Bouagnon, Harris Jr. and Huff provide experience to the running backs room, freshmen Marcus Jones (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) and D.J. Brown (North Little Rock, Ark./North Little Rock) have added excitement to the position. The pair was impressive during last weekend's scrimmage as they saw extended playing time. Jones rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Brown finished with 82 yards on 16 rushes.

"They are both complete backs as far as their ability to block along with run, and the way they've picked up the offense," said NIU head coach Rod Carey. "They can get stronger, of course, that's part of being a freshman, but they are complete backs. They have good elusiveness, good vision and it's been great to see them come along this camp."

The Huskies, though in school all week, officially break camp Saturday with their final practice of camp. The team begins prep for UNLV (Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m., CBSSports Network) on Tuesday.

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.

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.