DeKALB, Ill. – As the Northern Illinois University football team continued its third week of Training Camp 2016 with a two-hour practice Wednesday at Huskie Stadium, some new names – to the team and to the field – are contending for spots on the depth chart and in the starting line-up.
 
The new names belong to not just newcomers to the team – like junior college products Joe Sanders and freshmen Ben Leroy on the defensive line. Many redshirt freshmen who spent the 2015 season toiling on the "look" team for most of the year – watching road games from DeKalb and wearing white jerseys on the sidelines at home games – this year are ready to contribute for the first time. In addition, some redshirt sophomores will play in key situations and even start for the first time.
 
A year ago, NIU redshirted 23 freshmen players while just four rookies – Josh Corcoran, Marcus Jones, Hayden Sak and D.J. Brown – saw playing time.
 
 "Every program in America is a developmental program," said NIU Head Coach Rod Carey. "You have to always be thinking of developing players, and that's why the idea is to get that redshirt year. The more guys you can redshirt – even though it's a hard year – the better off you are."
 
Carey said so far this camp, he has been pleased with what he has seen from the redshirt freshmen class as a whole as they make their bids for playing time, while also noting the progress still to be made.
 
"I am very happy with the redshirt freshman class and what I've seen out of them this camp," Carey said.  "As a group, their development is on target. A redshirt freshman or junior college player who we got here and was able to redshirt has the ability to make less mental mistakes, they are further along physically, academically and mentally."
 
The head coach said there is no doubt fans will hear some "new" names called on Sept. 3 when the Huskies kick off the season at Wyoming and on Sept. 17 at the 2016 home opener versus San Diego State.
 
"There are guys like Joe Sanders, Sutton Smith, Luke Shively, Quintin Wynne, Kyle Pugh, Trayshon Foster and I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch who are going to make an impact.  I'd like to hear all of their names – except Shively – as a center, his name's not getting called [for a good reason]," said the former Indiana offensive lineman and long-time offensive line coach.
 
On day 17 of preseason practice, the Huskies followed the traditional schedule of individual drills, special teams work, seven-on-seven and line competition, along with run drills, pass skel and team periods.  The Huskies two "19s" – cornerback Shawun Lurry and wide receiver Kenny Golladay – continued their preseason battles with Golladay scoring an early victory in seven-on-seven drills before Lurry responded with a late interception. 
 
"Today we started a little sluggish," Carey said of Wednesday's workout. "It was a little hot and humid. Then we picked it up a little as it went and pulled through at the end."
 
NIU closed out Wednesday's practice with several periods of work toward the season opener at Wyoming.  
 
"We will steal some time for Wyoming here and there, but we are still in full camp mode and the crux of practice is still us."
 
NIU football season tickets, mini-plans and single game tickets are all on sale at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).  Season tickets offer the best prices and include the historic Huskie Chi-Town Showdown game versus Toledo at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Season tickets start at just $99 for a single ticket or $299 for a Family Pack of four season tickets; while mini-plans, featuring any three Huskie Stadium games, are just $60 each.
 
Season ticket members enjoy multiple benefits, including invitations to special events like next Saturday's NIU Football Kickoff Brunch at Fatty's Pub & Grille in DeKalb.  Season ticket members are all invited to the event with a complimentary brunch as well as a chance to get all the latest news on the NIU Football team heading into the season opener from Head Coach Rod Carey and the coaching staff.  To become a season ticket member and receive your invitation to the brunch, call 815-753-PACK (7225) or order online at NIUHuskies.com.
 
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