DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University football team had four players named to Pro Football Focus' All-MAC teams this week.
 
The Huskies had a pair of linemen named to the Second Team in guard John Champe (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East) and defensive tackle James Ester (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech). Champe played in all 12 games in 2022, starting each of the final 11 at left guard. The third-year sophomore was part of an NIU offensive line that helped pave the way for the number two rushing attack in the Mid-American Conference. It also led the MAC in fewest sacks allowed, which put NIU 11^th in the country.
 
Ester, a Third-Team All-MAC selection by the league's head coaches, had 28 tackles this season with six tackles for loss. He also had two forced fumbles and intercepted a pass in the end zone for his first career touchdown in NIU's 39-10 win at Eastern Michigan.
 
Running Back Harrison Waylee (Johnston, Iowa/Urbandale) and wide receiver Cole Tucker (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) were selected to PFF's All-MAC Third Team. Waylee led the Huskies with a career-high 899 rushing yards on 165 carries. He also led NIU with 1,018 all-purpose yards. Waylee ran for a career-high 230 yards and three touchdowns at Ball State.
 
Tucker set career-highs this season with 45 receptions, 632 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The redshirt-senior had a career-high 123 receiving yards on seven catches at Tulsa. He finished his career as the eighth NIU receiver with over 2,000 career receiving yards. Tucker had 2,030 receiving yards in 52 career games and is also tied for seventh all-time at NIU with 155 career receptions.
 
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