Northern Illinois University Athletics

2014
Played in

2013
• The Huskies[apos] starting tight end caught 12 passes for 113 yards with two touchdowns.
• Made a career-high three catches in the Poinsettia Bowl against Utah State (12-26) for 29 yards.
• Caught two passes for 24 yards with a touchdown against Eastern Illinois (9-21).
• Recorded his first touchdown of the season at Idaho (9-14) on a 13-yard pass.
• Started the season with at least one catch in the first five games.
• Excellent blocker was a key member of the Huskies[apos] record-setting and nationally-ranked rushing attack.
• Frequently served as lead blocker for the top rushing quarterback in NCAA history in Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch.

2012
• Caught eight passes for 268 yards in 13 appearances while starting 11 games.
• Each of his receptions went for at least 12 yards.
• Caught at least one pass in eight games.
• Averaged 33.5 yards per reception to lead the team.
• Had a season-long reception of 46 yards against Toledo (11-14).
• Caught a 45-yard pass against Buffalo (10-13) and ran 32 yards on a fake punt against the Bulls.
• Posted a 38-yard catch on NIU[apos]s first play from scrimmage at Army (9-15) to set up the Huskies[apos] first touchdown.

2011
• Played in all 14 games and made four starts at tight end.
• Finished the year with six receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown.
• Hauled in one pass for 13 yards at Bowling Green (11-8) and earned the Offensive Lineman of the Week Award with his blocking from the tight end spot.
• Made his first career start against Army (9-3) and scored his first career touchdown on a 13-yard grab.

2010
• Redshirted as a true freshman.
• Named NIU[apos]s Work Team Player of the Week for the Iowa State (9-2) and Temple (10-9) games.

High School
• Tight end, defensive end and linebacker who was a 14-time letterwinner in five sports.
• Earned letters in football (four), basketball (four), track and field (four), baseball (one) and wrestling (one).
• All-state in football as a senior and junior.
• Also a third-team all-state basketball player as a junior.
• Earned all-conference honors in football three times.
• Caught 14 passes for 312 yards and five touchdowns and carried the ball six times for a 14.3-yard average.
• Made 47 tackles with five pass break-ups, an interception and five quarterback sacks as a senior.
• Totaled 68 stops, forced two fumbles, broke up four passes, blocked a kick and tallied two sacks as a junior.
• Had a career high six sacks his sophomore year with 67 tackles.
• Career totals include 212 tackles.

Personal
• Born April 30, 1991 in Meade, Kan.
• Sociology major.

EAKES[apos] CAREER GAME HIGHS

Receptions: 2, vs. Eastern Illinois, 9-21-13
Receiving Yards: 46, vs. Toledo, 11-14-12
Long Gain: 46, vs. Toledo, 11-13-12