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2003 MAC Football Recruiting - NIU Huskies

Overview

NIU is finding out that success breeds more success. Riding high from sharing back-to-back divisional championships, the Huskies pulled in another wonderful class during the Joe Novak era. NIU signed 20 players from five states, with half of this class coming from the Chicago area. Thirteen of the 20 recruits signed received at least All-State honorable mention accolades, or better. Twelve players are set for the offensive side of the ball while eight are defensive players. Three QBs were signed, but other than that, this was a very balanced class for every position with no JUCOs.

Highlights

• The Huskies signed the best group of tailbacks in the MAC this year.  Cas Prime is an Emmitt Smith type of back at 6-2 215 with 4.5/40 speed.  He was the state player of the year for Wisconsin.  Greg Owens is a little smaller, but was a unanimous All-State pick, had several Big 10 and Big 12 offers. 
• Of the three QBs signed by NIU, Andre Brown as the #9 rated dual-threat QB in the country by Rivals.com while Sedrick Mossman & Zach Ullrich each were 1^st team All-State players within their respected high school class divisions.
• Seren Woodfork-Bey certainly has an interesting name, but he received a lot of attention from schools recruiting him, with offers from Kansas, K-State, Indiana, Northwestern & Western Michigan.
• QB Zach Ulrich was looking at NIU, Air Force, Ball State & Bowling Green to play his college football.  He visited NIU the day they hosted nationally ranked BG, and after the Huskies won 26-17, he committed immediately.
• Northern Illinois could have used some more help at WR, especially in terms of size, so that they are no so one-dimensional as a running team.  The DBs signed were small compared to other MAC schools.

Final Thoughts

When you think of the job that Joe Novak has done in DeKalb, taking over a pathetic Huskie program in the mid-late-1990s, and turning them into a real MAC powerhouse, it’s astounding.  Novak continues to bring in quality recruiting classes and this years is no exception and ranks as EXCELLENT, bordering on OUTSTANDING.  NIU filled their needs, brought in some show-stopping RBs, some more quality linemen, and perimeter speed.  With recruiting classes like this, NIU will always be in a position to be a strong contender for a conference championship.

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