DEKALB, Ill. – Perhaps the youngest position group on the Northern Illinois University football program is cornerback. What the Huskies lack in experience, they more than make up for with talent.
"I think talent is talent," said NIU cornerbacks coach
Aaron Wilkins. "We just have to learn to work hard and be consistent. With a young group, consistency is key. If we can be consistent on a daily basis, be the same guys every day and keep working, we're going to be a good unit.
"What we don't want are the ups and downs that youth brings. Maturity is a mindset. We want to stay even keel, be the same guys every day. I'm excited. We have a couple young guys that are talented."
There is not one single upperclassmen among the six cornerbacks on the roster and only three –
Jalen McKie,
Antwain Walker and
Devin Haney – saw action last year with each guy starting at least one game.
"They've been in the fire, they know what to expect," Wilkins said of the veteran corners. "They know how to prepare. I think that's going to pay huge dividends for them understanding how we go about our daily business."
McKie, a sophomore, is looking to follow up a successful redshirt freshman campaign. The 5-7 native of Gurnee, Ill. earned MAC West Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting two passes and returning a blocked PAT 80 yards for two points in a win at Akron last year. He was also named Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Player of the Week following that performance.
"A guy like Jalen, I think of a guy that's made plays, big time plays in big time games," he said. "I think that's going to help us and he's going to help the young guys. Somebody needs to take over that role of grooming the young guys and teaching them how to prepare. He's done a good job of doing that."
Fellow sophomore Walker was thrown into the fire on the big stage as he started in place of an injured
Tifonte Hunt in the 2018 MAC Championship Game. He made a career-best six tackles and two pass break ups in the 30-29 win over Buffalo. He also saw extensive action in the Boca Raton Bowl, making four stops and two pass breaks.
Primarily a special teams contributor, Haney made his first start last year as a true freshman in the Boca Raton Bowl. He finished the season with three tackles, all solo.
Zhamaine March, who also saw playing time as a true freshman last year on special teams, is expected to contribute at cornerback this year as well.
The young guys are already making their presence felt. Freshman
Mark Aitken from Chicago, Ill. has impressed Wilkins after three weeks of camp.
"He's a big time football player," Wilkins said. "He's a competitor. He's just through and through NIU. He's got a chip on his shoulder. He's an underdog. He knows it and he just works his tail off. It's going to be exciting to see what he can do. I'm very fired up about him."
The Huskies, who continue to work toward their home opener against Illinois State on Aug. 31, were forced inside the Chessick Center as a weather system moved through the DeKalb area. The team started "Competition Wednesday" with a pair of one-on-one battles between the corners and receivers. Each position had their moments. After a few periods of special teams and individual work, the team did seven-on-seven, and blitz pick up before finishing with team drills.
Season Tickets for all five 2019 NIU home games are still available, starting at as little as $60 for an East Side (general admission) season ticket. Purchase four tickets for family or a group of friends on either the East or West Side for as little as $55 or $75 per person with the Huskie Family Pack, including the ability to purchase tickets at those rates for additional people.
Three-game Mini-Plans, which include a choice of any two Saturday and either #MACtion (weeknight) game are just $70 each for all three games, while the new Huskie Flex Pass offers the chance to purchase a minimum of five tickets to any game or combination of games for $75, or just $15 each. The new Saturdays Special includes a ticket to all three Saturday home games as well as a voucher good for a hot dog, chips and a soda for each game for just $110.
To renew or purchase new season tickets and #JointhePack for 2019, click the links above, which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tickets are also available by calling 815-753-PACK (7225), emailing huskiestickets@niu.edu or stopping by the NIU Athletics Ticket Office in the Convocation Center, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-NIU-
