Football | August 11

DEKALB, Ill. -- Improved. That was the initial reaction from both Northern Illinois University Football Head Coach Thomas Hammock and Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Nick Benedetto when asked about the 2023 safety group. 

"It is a vastly improved group," said Hammock. "The guys have really taken to the coaching and have looked for ways to get better. I have been very pleased with how that group has been working during training camp."

"Collectively as a group they have definitely improved," said Benedetto. "They work hard each and every hour of the day, and they come in extra. We have great leaders in that group that are taking the next step in understanding leverage, the concepts they are running and when to break efficiently on the ball and that is showing in practice."

Leading the way for the safeties is senior CJ Brown (Canton, Mich./Walled Lake Western), a Second Team All-MAC honoree by both the league coaches and Phil Steele in 2022. Brown started all 12 games a season ago, making 76 tackles with five pass breakups, he was also named the Huskies' defensive back of the year. 

"(CJ) displays it every day, from his work ethic and his mindset on the field," said Benedetto. "He is locked in, he knows each and every call, he knows multiple positions on the defense, what they are doing, and it shows with his execution every day. He puts a lot of work in, he has had success on the field, but he is hungrier now than ever to keep improving. He is a joy to coach, and all those guys are." 

In addition to Brown, Benedetto pointed to junior Jashon Prophete (Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely) as another member of the Huskie defensive backfield who adds leadership and an excellent understanding of the game. Prophete played in seven games in 2022, missing the first five due to injury, after playing in all 14 contests as a true freshman in 2021, including starting the MAC Championship game. 

Along with Brown and Prophete are a host of other players who have experience at safety for the Huskies. Jordan Hansen (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) has made 18 starts in his NIU career, Muhammed Jammeh (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) made six starts a season ago and Nate Valcarcel (Greenfield, Wis./Whitnall) appeared in all 12 games in 2022 before being named NIU's most improved player on defense this past spring. 

"We have great competition there from the top down," said Benedetto. "We have C.J. (Brown) returning, Muhammed Jammeh, Cyrus (McGarrell), Nate Valcarcel, Jordan Hansen. Santana Banner is a young guy coming in, Trey Porter is in his second year in the program, and they have all shown really good flashes in camp."

Benedetto also noted Louis Frye (Teaneck, N.J./Paramus Catholic) and Ty Myles (Blackshear, Ga./Pierce County) as players pushing to see increased playing time in 2023 while also expressing his happiness with coaching the unit. 

"They are a great group of men and are a joy to coach," said Benedetto. "They understand the game of football and when you understand the game of football and what you are trying to take away with each and every call, you can play fast. Hats off to those guys, the players make the plays. They have done a great job with that and getting into the playbook and knowing what to do."

Overcast skies greeted the Huskies on Friday morning (Aug. 11) as NIU was back in shoulder pads and helmets for its two-hour practice. Temperatures rose as the sun came out late in the workout with the Huskies looking forward to Saturday's scrimmage. 

"Today was good," said Hammock. "Yesterday we were in Spiders, we came back (today) in shells and tomorrow is a scrimmage. We know everybody will be excited about that but today we needed to get our work in. The guys came out and did that, we did some situational work, we also had some time to work on things we want to do tomorrow in practice. We are anticipating tomorrow; it is a big evaluation day for us to see where we are at."

The Huskies open the 2023 season on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Boston College with the first of six home games on Saturday, Sept. 9 versus Southern Illinois.
 
Check out the daily preseason camp schedule, catch up on the position previews and hear from different Huskie players by clicking on 2023 Preseason Camp Central on NIUHuskies.com.  
 
Season, single game and mini-plan tickets for the 2023 Huskie home games are all on sale now 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225). Season tickets provide the best overall value at as little as $17 per game for general admission seating on the West Side of Huskie Stadium ($102 total). Sit in the same reserved seat for all six games for just $144 (sections A, B, F) or $162 (sections C, D, E). With the addition of the new Homecoming + One option, there are three "Pick Your Pack" mini-plans available, including Saturday Only and MACtion+Saturday four-game plans. See all the ticket prices and options, including premium experiences, here.