Football | August 15

DeKALB, Ill. – Fall practices continued for the Northern Illinois University football team during a rain heavy week in DeKalb. With the calendar creeping to the first game of the season, coach Rob Harley and his staff used the week to dial in on situational football and on-field education.

"I thought it was a good, workman like mentality this week," said Harley. "We're trying to stress competing with one another and really understand the game of football and situations. What do I need to do to win this play? That's irrelevant to who you're playing. I've got to win this situation and that's what we've stressed. I thought we did that, which makes you less emotional … I didn't think there was any real emotional penalties for the most part and that's a sign we're playing with our minds rather than our emotions."

Saturday was alumni family day as former Huskies and loved ones came out to show support for the 2026 team as well as sharing a team meal. Bringing the alumni around the current team has been a constant through the offseason under Harley.

"The support of the alumni is critical because it's the foundation of everything we do here … it is who we are and it's where we've came from so we need to know that before we know where we're going," said Harley. "For the alumni to be around and watch this new group work and let them know we're looking to carry on traditions, appreciate everything that was given to us and accept that responsibility. I also think it helps them get to know who we are and be around the players in more of a social setting rather than just watching them play on Saturdays."

Two returners on the defensive side of the ball for NIU are redshirt sophomore cornerback Dev'ion Reynolds and redshirt junior defensive end Jay'shon Thomas. Reynolds showed the ability to contribute in two phases last season, playing in all 12 games with four starts in the secondary while also earning all-conference recognition as a kick returner.

As Reynolds enters his third year with the program, the Illinois native spoke to the team's ability to understand the importance of seeing the bigger picture during camp.

"It's all competitive. Coach Harley always talks about Us and when we're going against each other, we know we're in this together," said Reynolds. "If the offense gets a first down, we all get a first down. If the defense gets a stop, we all get a stop. It's been real competitive and I love the physicality that we're having in this fall camp."

Thomas also played in all 12 games in 2025 and started the final three. Joining the team in 2023, Thomas understands his role as a leader with the new faces on the roster.

"We're kind of a new team so we're trying to come together and gel. I'm a lead by example kind of guy," said Thomas. "I like to make sure I touch base with everyone the team, all the different position groups, and make sure I'm doing the right things."

Thomas' position coach is Chris West, entering his first season as Defensive Ends Coach for the Huskies. West comes to DeKalb from Elon, where the Phoenix set a school record with 39 sacks in 2025. Both Thomas and West pointed the defensive line's balanced skillset.

"We have some speed-to-power guys, we have guys that have the ability to turn an edge without losing balance … right now is about rounding them out making them as complete as possible," said West. "This group has a lot of youth so they've very energetic, always wanting to get better and very inquisitive."

NIU will continue practice next week with the season opener at Iowa just 21 days away on Sept. 5.