With nine starters and a bevy of players who saw significant snaps returning for a Northern Illinois University defense that ranked in the Top 25 in the country last year, the Huskies’ depth and experience on that side of the ball has been on display early in preseason practices

Safety is no different, where the importance of the position to the execution by the defense is implicit in its very name, says NIU defensive coordinator and safeties coach Nick Benedetto.

“Right in the name of the position whether you are talking about free or strong is that word – safety,” Benedetto said. “So those guys – and the corners – are the last lines of defense in any defensive unit. You have to make sure when to take your shots and when to make sure the ball gets caught in front of you or when you’re able to make a PBU.  They have a crucial role in eliminating explosive plays.”

The Huskies excelled at that role a year ago as opponent offenses were held to just 24 plays of 25 yards or longer on the year for an average of less than two long plays per game. By comparison, the NIU offense totaled 39 such plays in 13 games.

With seven experienced players at the safety, which includes the nickel position, returning in 2024, and the emergence of a young group led by redshirt freshman Santana Banner, NIU head coach Thomas Hammock likes what he has seen from the safeties thus far in camp.

“I really like the depth and the competition in the safety group,” Hammock said. “We have a lot of guys coming back who have played a lot of snaps which gives them a chance to feel comfortable with the defense which enables them to make plays on a consistent basis. We are able to rotate guys, so you have a number of players who are very experienced in Jashon Prophete, Nate Valcarcel, Cyrus McGarrell, Muhammad Jammeh and Jordan Hansen along with Trey Porter. Then we’ve got a young guy – Santana Banner – who has really put himself in the conversation for playing time.”

Valcarcel made 46 tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions a year ago with three, while also scoring on a 50-yard fumble return at Toledo.  Hansen, who has played in 39 games during his Huskie career, added 43 tackles and three tackles for loss. McGarrell had a pair of interceptions to go with 20 tackles. Jammeh picked off a pass and made 25 stops as a sophomore in 2023. Prophete, who was passed the number one jersey from 2023 captain James Ester as a sign of his leadership and dedication, led NIU with eight pass break-ups, and made 33 tackles, 21 solo.

Benedetto said the leadership of the older group has contributed to the development of players like Banner, DeKalb redshirt freshman Ethan Tierney, Naperville (Nequa Valley HS) sophomore Andre Cobb and others.

“I think they’ve done a great job leadership wise, being consistent every day and focused,” Benedetto said. “Jordan Hansen has played a lot of football and he’s done a great job of teaching the younger guys the ropes, what to look at, what to key. We have a great group of older guys that teach the younger guys how to operate, and what the expectations are and what the standards are.”

With a skill set that includes coverage in the pass game and making tackles against the run, the ability to communicate and keep the defense on the right page on a play-to-play basis is just as important as making the plays.

“The safeties are really like the quarterbacks of the defense,” Benedetto said. “They love sticking their face in there [to make the tackle] when they can and they’re always begging to go live [in practice]. Then they are the ones that have to make the calls and the checks. They’re the ones whose voice gets echoed throughout the entire 11 on the field. So it is a crucial role for them to run the show on defense and they do a very good job.”

On Wednesday, the Huskies held their second evening practice of the season at Huskie Stadium, and the team came out refreshed and ready after getting 33 hours of recovery time between practices.

“On Tuesday morning they brought a lot of energy, and they were able to match that same type of energy [Wednesday night],” Hammock said. “I think that rest and recovery did well for their bodies and their minds.  I think they understand that every time we come out here, it’s a game situation. We’re trying to make sure we don’t’ waste a day, we don’t waste a rep, we don’t waste a practice and I’ve been very pleased with the way these guys have attacked it.”

Wednesday night’s workout featured highlights on both sides of the ball during 11-on-11 periods, including a 60-plus yard touchdown hook-up between former Arkansas Pine-Bluff teammates Jalen Macon and Kenji Lewis which had even Hammock sprinting to the end zone to congratulate Lewis. Later in the session, Macon connected with freshman running back Jalen Poe who was wide open down the right sideline for a score. One play later, redshirt freshman linebacker Filip Maciorowski broke free to pressure the quarterback.

Simiilar back and forth moments throughout the practice, including a connection between Ethan Hampton and Trayvon Rudolph for a 70-yard TD, had Hammock smiling after the workout.

“Tonight was the most even that it’s been in a long time [between the offense and defense], and even the defensive players saw it,” Hammock said. “I think the offense made plays and built momentum and they pushed back [against the defense]. We have a really good defense, and if [the offense] can push back in practice, we have a chance to be really good on offense.”

After an off day Thursday, the Huskies return to the practice field on Friday.

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