DeKALB, Ill. – When new Northern Illinois University head coach Thomas Hammock stands in the middle of the field watching practice, it doesn't take him long to assess the Huskie tailbacks.  A two-time 1,000-yard rusher for the Huskies in 2000 and 2001, he spent the last 16 years coaching the position at both the collegiate and professional levels before being named NIU head coach in January.
 
"Yeah, I can just naturally see the details of the running backs, having [coached the position] the last 16 years," Hammock laughed. "I'm excited about our group. I think we've got three or four guys that that can go out and help us win games. We've got some explosiveness, we've got some physicality, and now we've got to get them to the game healthy and ready to go."
 
Running backs coach Atif Austin likes the make-up, the competitiveness, and the work ethic of his six-man position group.
 
"What I've seen so far is the work ethic," Austin said. "These guys make me pretty proud of the way they show up to practice every day, in the work that they put in individual [drills], in team segments and then the work they do after practice. I mean, these guys love football. It's a very competitive group right now."
 
For the first time since 2015, the Huskies return a 1,000-yard rusher as junior Tre Harbison surpassed the mark during NIU's bowl game a year ago, finishing with 1,034 yards on 206 carries to average 5.0 yards per rush. Harbison scored five touchdowns and recorded five 100-yard games en route to second team All Mid-American Conference honors. The North Carolina native said he has worked on his speed, becoming an all-around back and, as the Huskies' biggest tailback at 5-11, 215 pounds, being the team's most physical back.
 
"I'm the biggest running back we have, so, yeah, I feel like it's my job to be the most physical in the room," Harbison said. "I want to be an all-around back for this offense, in the passing game and in the running game, and be physical in pass blocking. I'm really focused on breakaway speed. Last year I didn't really have it and I would always get [taken down] at the two or three-yard line. So I'm really focused on finishing."
 
Harbison and senior Marcus Jones are the Huskies' most experienced tailbacks, while sophomore Jordan Nettles gained 217 yards on 61 carries a year ago, with more than half of those attempts coming in the first three games of the season.  Jones is a fifth-year senior who has played in a team-leading 40 career games. The Brother Rice product has averaged 5.3 yards per carry with 986 career yards on 186 carries along with 25 catches.
 
"Tre Harbison, he's changed his body since the spring and he's a little bit quicker, he's gotten a lot better in his pass protection and he's definitely a student of the game," Austin said in breaking down the three veterans. "Marcus Jones is kind of like my utility guy. He does it all. He's a leader in the room, works extremely hard and works fast. Quick guy, strong guy, understands the pass protections. A guy that you can use to get that extra yard and also use in the passing game. [He's] quick enough to catch the ball out of the backfield and make people miss.  
 
"Jordan Nettles is another guy that has stepped up. He didn't have a lot of playing time last year but he's dynamic in the backfield and he understands the protections. He's doing well right now so I'm excited about what he has brought to the table."
 
Austin has counted on the three veterans to mentor the three young tailbacks – redshirt freshman Rahveon Valentine and freshmen Rondarius Gregory and Malik Winston.
 
"Rahveon Valentine was with us in the spring and every practice, he's gotten better and better and better and better," Austin said. "He's rotating with those older guys right now. He has a lack of experience right now on the field but because of the way we practice, he's gaining that experience. Rondarius Gregory and Malik Winston are new into the program, they started off a little bit slow, but they're picking up a lot from the older guys. I think our older guys do a great job of mentoring them.
 
"I'm pleased with our group right now and the direction we're going and I'm excited about the season," Austin concluded.
 
The Huskies completed their first week of camp with a two-hour workout in full pads Friday afternoon at Huskie Stadium. After a slow start to Thursday's practice, Hammock was pleased with the energy on Friday.
 
"The thing I liked about today was the tempo the guys came out with," Hammock said. "Yesterday, it wasn't up to our standard. We had an intermission, and then we continued. Today they came out with the right mindset and mentality in full pads that they wanted to get after it and try to get themselves ready for the scrimmage [Saturday]."
 
Saturday's scrimmage is closed to the general public but NIU will open practice on Sunday, August 11^th, exclusively to 2019 football season ticket members. Sunday's practice begins at 2:30 p.m. and season ticket members can check in at the entrance to the West stands of Huskie Stadium. Following the practice, Hammock will meet fans for a Q&A session.  
 
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. 
 
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.
 
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