The old adage in college coaching is that the best thing that happens to freshmen is that they become sophomores.

For the Northern Illinois University football team, the second-youngest in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 2021, that youth movement has been bolstered by both veteran transfers and a freshman class that is already making a good first impression on head coach Thomas Hammock.

“We got some young guys who are extremely developed for their age, guys like Roy Williams (Crestwood, Ill./Shepard), Nick Alvarado (Bloomfield, N.J./Union City), Jalen Johnson (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley), Rashon Myles Jr. (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor), Reggie Jean (Ocoee, Fla./Foundation Academy) and Jaiden Credle (Columbus, Ga./Carver),” Hammock said. “Those guys are ahead of the curve physically, picking up the schemes and competing with everyone else. We’re going to give them a lot of reps and see what they can handle.”

That talent was on display in Monday morning’s practice in the Chessick Practice Center, as thunderstorms in the DeKalb area forced the Huskies inside. Credle, a running back, converted a third down on the first team offense’s first drive in the final 11-on-11 period of practice. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi (Clive, Iowa/Valley/Michigan State) threw a short touchdown pass to Brock Lampe (Kenosha, Wis./Bradford) to punctuate the drive. On the next possession, redshirt-freshman quarterback Ethan Hampton (Elburn, Ill./Aurora Christian) hit Johnson in the back of the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown.

When it came time for the young guys 11-on-11 at the end of practice, it was Alvarado and Williams on defense getting in the offensive backfield for tackles for loss. In a year where NIU has a Mid-American Conference championship to defend, Hammock knows that developing depth in every facet can be good not just for this year but years to come.

“It’s been fun to see because they add depth to your team,” said Hammock. “This is a physical game, and we need to continue to develop young players to make sure they can step up when the opportunity presents itself. Last year we lost Devin Lafayette, Eric Rogers and Harrison Waylee and guys stepped up and made plays. That’s why we’re splitting the practices up, so we can continue to develop our depth because you never know when you’re going to need somebody.”

Monday’s practice was the second in as many days in full pads. Hammock remarked that the two practices saw a rise in intensity and energy as the second week of practice is in full swing.

“It’s been an intense two days. We had to dial them back a bit today. It feels like we played two games in a row. The team’s in a great spot and the competition is at an all-time high. It’s good to see.”

The Huskies return to the practice field Tuesday morning before meeting the local media for DeKalb Media Day in the afternoon. See the complete camp schedule, including position previews, and links to daily coverage on the 2022 Camp Central page on NIUHuskies.com.

Purchase NIU Football tickets now online at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) during regular business hours. Ticket options include season tickets to see all six Huskie home games, Mini-Plans featuring either the All-Saturday ($90) or All-Weekday ($78) package, and single game tickets, priced from $18-$40 depending on the game. Season tickets provide the best value with prices as low as $14.67 per ticket with the Huskie Family 4 Pack (do not have to be related), $97 for East Side general admission seating or $144 for West Side reserved seats. Premium area tickets are also available on both a season and per game basis.  For more information and to see all the options and prices, click here.