MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Camellia Bowl festivities in Montgomery, Alabama did not stop Northern Illinois University head coach Thomas Hammock and the NIU coaching staff from signing a class of 19 freshmen and one junior for 2024, after an overnight addition of running back Telly Johnson Jr. from Augusta, Georgia.
 
The 2024 Class  includes 10 players from either Illinois or Wisconsin while four Georgia natives joined the nine players from the state already on the NIU roster. There are four defensive backs and offensive linemen and three defensive linemen in the group, although every position on offense and defense is represented.   
 
"We are certainly excited about this class," said NIU head coach Thomas Hammock. "We were able to add some guys that we feel will be the foundation of our program for the long term. We've been on these players for 7-8-9 months and they know what we are about; we had many of these guys in camp.
 
"This class is really important, because we have 25 seniors next year. It was important to add high school players that we can have in the program and get developed. Normally it takes a good year to get into the college routine, the college system and understand what it takes to play at this level."
 
The Huskies' signing class to date includes players from eight states. In addition to Illinois (6), Wisconsin (4) and Georgia (4), the Huskies signed a pair of players from Nebraska (2). Quarterback Kenny Lueth, one of two quarterbacks in the class, is a junior college product from California. He comes to NIU from the same junior college as current Huskie receiver Grayson Barnes.
 
The Huskies four offensive lineman hail from Nebraska (Ben Gustafson), Illinois (Lane Mahnesmith) and Wisconsin (Aiden Olsen, Grey Rumohr) and addressing players at that position was important, Hammock said.
 
"Adding Lane and Ben gives us the ability to have five or six tackles for the long term," Hammock said. "Our program is built inside out, we believe in the foundation being on the offensive and defensive lines and we certainly addressed that this season."
 
The 20-man class  is one of the first steps in building the 2024 roster as the 2023 season comes to an end on Saturday with the Huskies game versus Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl. Hammock noted that recruiting truly does not end and more additions will continue to be announced in the coming months.
 
"With recruiting it's constant," Hammock said. "You're recruiting high school student-athletes, you're recruiting junior college, you're recruiting the portal and you're constantly working on your roster."
 
-- NIU --
 
Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies
YouTube: NIU Athletics