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2009 NIU Huskies Football Recruiting

2009 Northern Illinois Overview:

NIU signed 24 players from eight different states. Of the 24 recruits, ten are from Illinois, six from Florida, two from Wisconsin and Texas and one each from Missouri, Ohio, Indiana and Arizona. There were three JUCOs singed within class; one punter, one LB and one DB. Overall there was an emphasis on defense with seven slated for the DL position and three each for DB and LB. On offense, there are four WRs, two QBs, two OLs and one RB. There were also two kickers signed.

Top Players for the Huskies:

• Zach Anderson, DL, 6-2, 285, Ladysmith, WI

  A very athletic defensive lineman who chose NIU over offers from Ball State and Western Michigan, among others. Earned 1 st team all-state honors and garnered twelve varsity letters throughout his high school career (football, wrestling and track). ESPN/Scout had him rated the #144 best DT in the country.

• Perez Ashford, WR, 5-10, 180, Shaker Hts, OH

  An extremely fast and elusive wideout with excellent speed. A real playmaker in the open field with terrific hands. Selected to participate in the Big 33 game. Ohio High ranks him as the #64 prospect in the state while ESPN/Scout has him ranked as the #176 best WR in the country. Chose NIU over Syracuse, BGSU, Toledo and others.

• Anthony Wells, 6-3, 229, DE, North Chicago, Ill. ( North Chicago HS)

  A relentless pass rusher who earned all-state honorable mention accolades. A three-star recruit by Rivals and the #127 rated DE in the country by ESPN/Scout.

• Jared Volk, 6-3, 287, OL, Hartland, WI (Arrowhead HS)

  Earned all-state honors and ranked by ESPN/Scout as the #94 rated offensive tackle in the country.

Sleepers in the 2009 NIU Recruiting Class:

• A.J. Hill, QB, 6-2, 200, Duquoin (IL)

  Honorable mention all-state performer with a knack for the short and precision pass. Has dual-threat capabilities. Rated the #178 QB in the country by ESPN/Scout and is a three-star recruit by Rivals.

• Daniel Rodriguez, 5-11, 187, WR, Miami, FL (Gulliver Prep)

  Earned 2 nd team all-state honors and scored five TDs in one game. Also recruited by Central Michigan, Army and Rutgers.

Final Analysis for Northern Illinois:

NIU signed a very well rounded and athletic class. In many ways this was Coach Kill’s first recruiting class since he was hired in December of 2007 and had such a late start for his inaugural 2008 class. NIU put a needed focused on defense and on playmakers and certainly found some, especially in Ashford. With the Huskies losing five wide outs to graduation, he may play as a true freshman. Two other receivers from San Antonio, Anthony Johnson and Martel Moore, could also see time this fall. Kill had some recruiting ties to two players signed; QB A.J. Hill is the younger brother of Nick Hill who was a quarterback under Kill at Southern Illinois and kicker Ryan Salerno is the younger brother of NIU kicker Mike Salerno. With the immediate success Kill and his staff had after inheriting a 2-10 team and taking them to a bowl game the following season, it’s obvious the recruiting of this program took a step up. Overall this class rates a EXCELLENT compared to the rest of the league.

> Official 2009 NIU Huskies Football Recruits Press Release

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