2015
• First-team All-MAC center for second straight year by both MAC coaches and Phil Steele.
• Leader of the NIU offensive line.
• Senior who snapped for three different quarterbacks in 2015 and executed more than 4,000 snaps in his career.
• With linemate Aidan Conlon, leads the nation with 56 consecutive career starts, setting an NCAA FBS record.
• The duo earned NIU Offensive MVP honors.
• Named NIU’s Offensive Player of the Week three times (Murray State, Miami and Eastern Michigan).
• Huskies had six games with 500-plus yards of total offense and two over 600.
• Gained 6.7 yards per rush vs. Western Michigan and did not allow a sack for second time.
• NIU averaged seven yards per play vs. Ball State; scored on nine straight possessions.
• Named to the preseason watch lists for the Rimington Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award.
• Collected Academic All-MAC and MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete recognition.
• Played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after the season.
2014
• Started all 14 games at center for the third consecutive season, extending his streak to 42 games.
• Selected to the All-MAC First Team.
• Awarded NIU Offensive Lineman of the Week after the victory at Eastern Michigan (10-25), where the Huskies rushed for 332 yards and four touchdowns as a team.
• Helped organize an offensive line that conceded just 14 quarterback sacks the entire season.
• Blocked for a rushing attack that amassed 3,488 yards on the ground with 36 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
• Led the way for second team All-MAC rusher Cameron Stingily, who finished the season with 971 rushing yards and 14 scores.
• Also opened holes for 600-yard rushers Drew Hare and Joel Bouagnon.
• Started in his third consecutive MAC Championship Game, helping the Huskies defeat Bowling Green (12-5) by a 51-17 margin.
• Helped NIU score 56 touchdowns and average 31.5 points per game.
• Guided the Huskies to nine 200-yard rushing games, with five 300-yard contests and two 400-yard performances on the ground.
2013
• Started all 14 games at center for the second consecutive year.
• Named NIU Offensive Lineman of the Week against Eastern Illinois (9-21) as the Huskie offense gained 602 yards.
• Earned NIU Offensive Lineman of the Week honors again at Toledo (11-20) where the Huskies ran for 364 yards.
• Led a pass protection unit that allowed only 0.79 sacks per game to rank fifth in the nation.
• Centered an NIU offense that ranked fifth in the country with 519.8 yards of total offense per game.
• Paved the way for Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch to become the nation's second leading rusher with 1,920 yards.
• Blocked for a rushing offense that totaled 3,161 yards, best in NIU history and seventh in the country.
• Led the way for the NIU's most prolific scoring offense (39.6 ppg).
• Part of an NIU offense that topped 550 yards of total offense in seven games.
2012
• Started all 14 games at center for the Huskies.
• Named Co-Lineman of the Week in a win over Akron (10-20).
• Helped NIU average 469.6 yards of total offense per game which ranked 20th in the country and led the MAC.
• NIU gained 400 or more yards in 12 of 14 games in 2012.
• NIU led the MAC and ranked 12th in the nation in rushing offense with 238.2 yards per game.
• The Huskies scored 38.8 points per game to rank 13th nationally.
• Centered a pass protection unit that allowed only 1.2 sacks per game.
• Paved the way for NIU's season-high 622 yards of total offense against Central Michigan (9-29).
2011
• Redshirted.
• Earned the Defensive Work Team Player of the Week award against Kansas (9-10) and Ball State (11-15).
High School
• First-team all-state choice by the MFCA and Missouri Sportswriters Association.
• All-area choice by Missouri High School SportsNet and a second team selection by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• Earned first-team all-conference honors his junior and senior seasons and was an honorable mention choice as a sophomore.
• Began his senior season as the center on Catholic High Schools' Preseason All-America team.
• Served as team captain as a senior.
Personal
• Born May 25, 1993 in Lake St. Louis, Mo.
• Son of David and Barbara Ness.
• Mother was a four-year starter for Central Missouri's women's basketball team.
• Father won three letters as an offensive guard for Western State.
• Pursuing a master's degree in sport management major.
• From the same hometown as NIU quarterback Drew Hare.
