Football | August 26

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University assistant coach Robert Wimberly likes to joke that senior linebacker Lance Deveaux Jr. (Pompano Beach, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS) has been at NIU since before the Chessick Practice Center was built. While the Huskies' indoor practice facility actually opened three years before Deveaux's arrival on campus in 2016, the leadership and maturity that NIU's most experienced defender has brought to one of the Huskies' youngest position groups is no joke.
 
With seventh-year linebacker Kyle Pugh (Chicago Heights, Ill./Bloom Township HS) sidelined by an injury sustained in the spring, Deveaux and third year sophomore Nick Rattin (Palatine, Ill./Fremd HS) are the only non-freshmen listed at linebacker on NIU's 2021 roster. Deveaux, who played in just one game a year ago due to injury, has made 106 tackles, including 71 solo stops, in 33 career games with seven tackles for loss, two sacks and five break-ups.
 
"Lance has seen a lot, he's had to travel a road to get to this point," Wimberly said. "It's been a joy to watch him play lead with the confidence that I see in him this year. He's done a great job of leading the defense and getting downhill in the run game and the leadership that he's bringing to the room has been exceptional."
 
In fact, both Deveaux and Rattin were selected by their teammates as two of the Huskies' six captains for 2021. Rattin has made 70 tackles while playing in all 18 games over the last two seasons, including 12 straight starts at linebacker.
 
"Nick Rattin exemplifies the Hard Way," Wimberly said. "He came in as a walk on, started after game six in 2019, and he's never looked back. To have those two young men leading the room, and coming in knowing the expectations, and assisting me with setting expectations, has been great. They have helped set a standard and have made the transition [for the newcomers] a lot easier, knowing that we have to try to get a lot of young men ready to play this year."
 
While eight of the linebackers arrived at NIU this summer fresh out of high school, returnees Eddie Jackson (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep), Jaden Dolphin (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West HS) and Daveren Rayner (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central HS) all saw playing time during the Huskies' COVID-shortened season in 2020. Barrington native Dayven Shinhoster (Barrington, Ill./Barrington HS) transferred to NIU from Nebraska-Kearney in January and has worked himself into the conversation for playing time.
 
"We have a couple guys that played last year and have continued to build on that experience, and Jaden Dolphin has had a solid camp," Wimberly said. "He has continued to grow into the position and has definitely done some good things to show that he has a chance to help us this year. Dayven Shinhoster has been really good for us as a young men that came in and really made a name for himself in the spring, which has carried over in fall camp."
 
Of the incoming freshmen, both Wimberly and head coach Thomas Hammock mentioned Makhi Nelson-Douglas (Omaha, Neb./Elkhorn South HS) as a player to watch.
 
"Makhi Nelson Douglas has come in and he's been very impressive," Wimberly said. "Right now we're trying to make sure he continues to stack days and build his confidence knowing that he's a true freshman that's going to play for us this year.
 
"Overall, our young players are coming along, as they continue to learn the scheme. We've been able to get a lot of reps for those young men in practice, and allow it to be physical, so we can see who can tackle. Thus far, I've been pleased, and the guys have given great effort."
 
Hammock said that keeping the linebackers healthy is a priority, especially while the young players continue to develop.
 
"I think that's definitely a position that we have to stay healthy," Hammock said. "We really like the group with Lance's leadership. Nick Rattin is playing at a high level, Eddie Jackson played some for us last year, Dolphin has been playing pretty consistently over the last 8-9 months. We feel like we have a pretty good core. Then, we have some young guys that will have an opportunity to play, Makhi Nelson Douglas has really stepped up and Dayven Shinhoster has working himself into the rotation. We feel like if we can stay healthy at that position, they can play well together."
 
Preseason practices continued Thursday morning as the Huskies worked for two hours in full pads at Huskie Stadium. The practice included a mix of "good versus good" scrimmage periods and special teams work as those teams units are finalized. Toward the end of practice, the offense and defense ran plays versus the "compete" teams specifically geared for Georgia Tech.
 
"We're into our Georgia Tech preparation, but we still want to stay sharp," Hammock said. "We still have a hybrid mix of good against good in the early periods of the day, and then we focus more on Georgia Tech toward the end of the day knowing that we have extra time [before the first game]."
 
After opening the season at Georgia Tech, the Huskie football team plays its first of six 2021 home games on Saturday, Sept. 11 versus Wyoming. Kickoff for the Welcome Back Fans game honoring First Responders and Heroes is at 12:30 p.m. (CT). 
 
Single game and season tickets, as well as mini-plans and Family Packs, are on sale with season ticket prices as low as $85. Purchase a minimum of four tickets for all six games via the Family Pack for just $90 per ticket (in sections B and F) or $66 per ticket (in sections A and G). Three-game or four-game mini-plans are also available with Mission's 3-Game Mini-Plan priced at $79 (including processing), while Victor E.'s 4-Game Mini-Plan is $107. Single game ticket prices vary depending on location and game (Saturday or MACtion). In 2021, the cost of parking in the NIU Convocation Center is included in the price of tickets, making Huskie Football tickets an even greater value than ever before.
 
To see all the ticket options and prices for football and volleyball, and for more information on premium seating options at Huskie Stadium, go to NIUHuskies.com. To purchase tickets, call 815-753-PACK (7225) or go to NIUHuskies.com/MyHuskies.
 
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