Football | August 21

DeKALB, IL – For the last two seasons the Northern Illinois University football team has been one of the stingiest pass defenses in the Football Bowl Subdivision. A rebuilt secondary will look to be key if the Huskies want to stay among the nation's leaders in passing yards allowed.
 
The Huskies have led the Mid-American Conference in passing defense in each of the last two seasons. In 2023 NIU was sixth in the nation allowing just 171.2 passing yards per game. Last season the Huskies allowed 172.5 passing yards per game, putting NIU fifth in the country.
 
"We've rebuilt the secondary and we're pleased with how that group is coming together," said head coach Thomas Hammock. "The coaches back there are doing a good job putting it all together."
 
Redshirt-Junior cornerback Jacob Finley (Birmingham, Ala./Hoover) played in all 13 games in 2024, starting each of the last five. He finished the year tied with Nate Valcarcel, who is in training camp with the Los Angeles Rams, with eight pass breakups. Finley had 36 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and recorded his first career interception in the final game of the regular season against Central Michigan.
 
"I'm really proud of Jacob Finley's growth in the program, as a player and as a leader," Hammock said. "He has taken a lot of strides forward in his development. He wants to be a great player and he is doing everything possible to be in a position to do that."
 
A pair of transfer cornerbacks have added depth to the room. Senior Donte Harrison (Washington, D.C./Shepherd) came to NIU from Shepherd where he played three seasons for the Rams. In 2024 Harrison was named to the All-PSAC East Second Team after tallying 19 tackles and two interceptions. Junior Keshawn Lyons (Cahokia, Ill./McKendree) had 63 tackles in the last two years at McKendree with three interceptions. He was a Great Lakes Valley Conference honorable mention pick in 2024. Redshirt-Freshman Dev'ion Reynolds (Zion, Ill./Carmel Catholic) will also look for playing time, both at corner and in the return game.
 
"Those guys give us great versatility. We have guys who can lock down receivers all over the field and that frees up the nickel to help out in the run game and the pass game."
 
Redshirt-Senior Muhammed Jammeh (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) leads NIU's group of safeties. Jammeh has played in 41 games in his career with five starts. He had four tackles in NIU's win over Fresno State in last season's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Jasper Beeler (Farmington, Mich./Saginaw Valley State) joins Jammeh as NIU's last line of defense. Beeler played the last two seasons at Saginaw Valley State, totaling 78 tackles in 22 games. In 2024 Beeler had 53 tackles with seven tackles for loss and broke up 15 passes.
 
"That duo gives a tremendous backfield. If we can keep them healthy the whole year they will be a tremendous tandem. Muhammed played as a true freshman in the MAC Championship game and has a lot of experience. This is his time to really elevate his game. Jasper has shown what he can do since he got here in February. He has all the talent in the world and I'm excited to see what he can do in live action."
 
Ty Myles (Blackshear, Ga./Pierce County) leads a deep group at nickelback. He had nine tackles in 12 games last season, posting a season-high three at NC State. Cyrus McGarrell (Windsor, Ontario, Canada/Clearwater Acad. Int'l [Fla.]) will also contribute at the position. McGarrell has played in 35 games in his NIU career, playing in every game in each of the last two seasons as a safety and special teamer.
 
"Ty is another player that has been in our program for a long time. He's proven himself as a leader and was voted on to wear number one because of his work ethic and what he brings to the table."
 
NIU opens the 2025 season on Saturday, August 30 at 2:30 p.m. against Holy Cross at Huskie Stadium. Season and single game tickets are on sale now for the 2025 NIU Football season. Season ticket prices for NIU's six 2025 home games begin at as little as $110 each for a general admission ticket. With the purchase of the Huskie 4-Pack (four or more tickets), pay $110 each for a reserved seat in sections A, B or F on the West Side. Reserved west side seats are priced at $152 or $170 with discounts available for NIU alumni, NIU faculty/staff, DeKalb County residents, seniors (62+) and members of the Varsity Club (former student-athletes). Tickets are also on sale for NIU's road games at Maryland and Mississippi State though the NIU Athletics Ticket Office.
  
Purchase tickets for the 2025 NIU Football season anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email huskiestickets@niu.edu. 
 
--NIU--