Football | August 15

DeKALB, IL – Led by Second Team All-Mid-American Conference selection JaVaughn Byrd (Milwaukee, Wis.) and three more stalwart veterans, the Northern Illinois University football team's collection of cornerbacks looks to build upon a successful 2023 season.
 
"We have some excellent corners on this team," said head coach Thomas Hammock. "We have four guys that can start, so its about finding the right balance and rotation to allow those guys to play the way they need to play. Last year was a step in the right direction and those guys continue to develop and get better."
 
The NIU defense was sixth in the nation in passing defense last year, allowing only 171.2 yards per game. The Huskies held 10 of their 13 opponents under 200 yards. Byrd had a breakout season in 2023 with career-highs of three interceptions and five pass breakups while posting 32 tackles. His first career interception came in the Huskies' season-opening overtime win at Boston College.
 
"JaVaughn has all the intangibles," said cornerbacks coach DJ Bland. "He works hard in practice and he's a competitor. JaVaughn wants to be the best on the field, guard the best receiver. He makes the game easy, has great footwork and long arms and good hands."
 
Redshirt-Sophomores Jacob Finley (Birmingham, Ala.) and Amariyun Knighten (Hollywood, Fla.) combined to start all 13 games last season opposite Byrd. Finley had 33 tackles in 13 games in 2023 with three pass breakups. He helped lock up NIU's bowl bid with a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Huskies' 37-27 win at Kent State the final week of the regular season. Knighten had 17 tackles and two pass breakups, one of which came in NIU's Camellia Bowl win over Arkansas State. Cam'Ron "Shaad" Dabney (Atlanta, Ga.) also will factor in the mix at corner. The senior played in all 13 games last season, contributing on defense as well as special teams.
 
"Amariyun has had the game slow down for him over the last two years. He put on more muscle over the summer and improved his body. He has playmaking ability, and his knowledge of the game allows his to see the game better and make good reads. Finley is the best tackler in our room. He sets the edge and makes plays with his long wingspan."  
 
Bland also pointed out that freshmen Dev'ion Reynolds (Zion, Ill.), Dashaun Gibson (Manassas, Va.) and Romelo Walker (Orlando, Fla.) will be in the mix as well.
 
"Dev'ion comes from a good program at Carmel Catholic and is earning his reps and adjusting to the speed of the game. Romelo has really good size and ball skills. Dashaun Gibson is one of the fastest guys on the team. He came here early, developed and made plays. It's a good thing to have as many guys as we have for two spots."
 
The Huskies practiced indoors at the Chessick Center Thursday morning. The offense moved the ball in the first couple team periods, highlighted by wide receiver Cam Thompson (Boardman, Ohio) catching two downfield passes from quarterback Josh Holst (Marengo, Ill.). Ethan Hampton (Elburn, Ill.) was also able to turn a broken play into a first down with a pass to Andrew McElroy (Bolingbrook, Ill.). The defense controlled the final team period but overall Coach Hammock was pleased with the offense's effort on the day.
 
"The offense won the day, which was good to see," Hammock said. "We were able to give some other guys an opportunity to see if they can help us. We're big on load management, with the GPS units and knowing how much they're running. We wanted to see those guys who may be backups, can they play more significant roles. Today was a day to see if those guys can make plays in critical situations with everyone playing on Saturday."
  
NIU is back on the practice field Friday before a full team scrimmage on Saturday.
 
The Huskies open the 2024 season at Huskie Stadium on Saturday, August 31 against Western Illinois. Check out all of the ticket options and buy tickets anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies. To request more information and connect with a member of the NIU ticket staff, click here or call the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225). Calls received outside of business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm CT) will be returned the next business day. 
 
--NIU--