DeKalb, Ill. – Northern Illinois University Head Coach Thomas Hammock announced the addition of three signees to the Huskies' 2019 recruiting class Wednesday, along with several players who will join the program as preferred walk-ons.  
 
J.J. Lippe, an offensive lineman from Milwaukee, Wis., James Ester, a defensive end from Detroit and Mohamed Toure, a wide receiver from Irvington, N.J., are the first signees inked by Hammock and his new staff.  They join the group of 16 players who signed with NIU in December.
 
"We want to build our team from the inside out, and offensive line and defensive line are two areas we wanted to make sure we did not miss. Then, we wanted a receiver who could come in and compete immediately," Hammock said. "We wanted to make sure we took guys that were good in the classroom and on the football field. With the addition of these three guys, we have a nice mix and blend of who we signed, and what we added, and we will continue to look for pieces to improve our team."    
 
2019 NIU FOOTBALL FEBRUARY SIGNEES
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J.J. LIPPE (LIP-ee)
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 275
Milwaukee, Wis. | Whitefish Bay HS
 
Two-year varsity letterwinner played on offensive and defensive lines in high school. Earned first team all North Shore Conference honors as offensive lineman as a senior and was named first team all-region. Named Most Improved Player and was selected to Wisconsin all-star game. On defense, made 20 tackles, forced two fumbles, batted down three passes and blocked a kick. Made the Honor Roll throughout his prep career. Involved in debate organization and Big Buddy/Little Buddy program.  Intends to major in business.
 
Hammock said: "Signing J.J. Lippe allows us to get a good offensive lineman in our program and let him develop and build our team to the level of physicality that we want to build it to.  He's an outstanding student, an outstanding worker and an A plus kid."
 
 
JAMES ESTER
Defensive End | 6-3 | 235
Detroit, Mich. | Cass Tech
 
Three-year letterwinner named first team All-State by the Detroit Free Press and was a first team all-conference choice. Named Cass Tech's defensive MVP. Played both defensive line and outside linebacker during his career.  Helped lead the Technicians to a 10-1 record and Detroit Public League championship as a senior and to the district and regional titles his junior year.  Cass Tech was 33-4, including the 2016 state championship, during his three seasons on varsity. Technicians defense recorded five shutouts in 2018, including four in a row. Forced and recovered a fumble in Detroit PSL championships game versus Detroit King HS. Made 42 tackles with two forced fumbles, one recovered, an interception and a blocked kick in 2018. Totaled 30 tackles, 12 solo, his junior season and tallied 15 stops as a sophomore.  Communications major aspires to be a sports journalist.
 
Hammock on Ester: "James is a kid that checks all the boxes, academically and athletically, which is important to us as we try to put a class together.  He's a big athlete with size and a motor that you love to see.  He's going to help us in some way very early."
 
 
MOHAMED TOURE
Wide Receiver | 6-3 | 190
Irvington, N.J. | Irvington HS
 
Caught 25 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns as a senior at Irvington High School, helping the Blue Knights to an 8-4 record and North 2 Group 4 state final. Also returned two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns.  Blocked a pair of punts, one of which he returned for a touchdown.  As a junior, caught 34 passes for 623 yards and five touchdowns at Paramus Catholic before transferring to Irvington at the end of the season.  Gained 339 yards on kickoff returns and 95 on punt returns at Paramus Catholic in 2017.  Listed as one of the top 50 recruits in the state by NJ.com.
 
Hammock on Toure: "Mohamed is a big, strong, physical receiver who plays well on special teams.  He's a very good all-around football player. When you build your roster you want to build it with guys like Mohamed."
 
In addition to the two scholarship players, Hammock and his staff announced the addition of several preferred walk-ons.

Thomas Brunner                DE          6-4        225         Fr.       Milwaukee, Wis.               Whitefish Bay HS
Nick Rattin                       OLB          6-2        185         Fr.       Palatine, Ill.                      Fremd HS
Tristen Tewes                    TE           6-3        215         Fr.       Pleasant Plains, Ill.           Pleasant Plains HS
 
"Bringing in quality walk-ons is very important to improving your roster," Hammock said. "Anyone that chooses to be a walk-on we will treat in a first-class manner that will allow them to develop their skills and contribute to our team."

Hammock, a 2002 graduate of NIU, was named the Huskies' 23^rd head football coach on January 18, 2019. He takes over a Huskie team that won the 2018 MAC Championship, its fourth league title in the last eight years, and played in the MAC title game for the seventh time in the last nine season.  NIU returns 14 starters for 2019, including five All-MAC performers and the Huskies' top four tacklers from a year ago.  NIU opens 2019 spring practices on March 23 and will play its first game of the Hammock era on August 31, 2019.
 
-- NIU --