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Had this thought while watching NIU and LA Tech games the last few weeks.. Guys to keep an eye on from their rosters that could help us next year:
LA Tech
WR Cyrus Allen- 2 years eligibility left after this year, 6’0 180lbs. He ran the kick back in the second quarter that was called back for a hold and made the big third down catch on the LA Tech TD drive in the 2nd quarter. Could be the potential big play/take the top off guy we have so desperately needed at WR for what feels like forever.
As a Freshman… Appeared in 10 games while seven starts... Recorded 22 receptions for 500 yards and four receiving touchdowns ... Averaged 22.73 yards per catch which were the second most nationally ... Ranked sixth nationally among all true freshmen in receiving yards with 500 ... Led all FBS freshman in scrimmage plays over 30 yards with 10 ... Had a season-high 121 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opener at Missouri (Sept. 1) ... Also topped the century mark in receiving with 109 yards in a win over Middle Tennessee (Nov. 5).
Against Nebraska: 6 catches 102 yards 1 TD
NIU
DT/DE James Ester- 1 year of eligibility left after this year (Covid year). Was all over the field against Nebraska including making 2 TFLs. Clearly was their best defensive player IMO and would be a perfect fit into our 3-3-5 system. Had 13.5 career TFLs heading into this year
2022 Season:
• Huskies’ 2022 team MVP earned second team All-MAC honors from PFF and Phil Steele and was a third team All-MAC selection by league coaches.
• Started all 12 games at defensive tackle and finished with a career high 28 total tackles with six tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumbles forced.
• Made two tackles with half a sack in the season-opening win over Eastern Illinois (9-1).
• Recorded four tackles with half a sack and a forced fumble at Kentucky (9-24).
• Set the tone for NIU’s win at Eastern Michigan (10-15) by batting down and then intercepting a pass in the end zone for the Huskies’ first touchdown, the first of his career.
• Made a season-high six tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup versus Central Michigan (11-2).
• Registered a four-yard sack and forced a fumble in NIU’s win at Western Michigan (11-9).
• Credited with six tackles, one for loss, against Miami (11-16).
• Tallied full or partial tackles for loss at Tulsa (9-10) and versus Akron (11-26).
• Add two stops and two quarterback hurries in the Ohio (10-22) and Akron games.
• Season long team captain.
Against Nebraska: 5 TKL, 3 Solo, 2 TFL
DT/DE Raishein Thomas- 1 year of eligibility left after this year (Covid year). Another guy that can play at the line at either DT or DE and would be a good fit in our 3-3-5 scheme. Named NIU Defensive MVP after their spring practices and entered this year with over 100 career tackles and 12.5 TFL
2022 Season:
Played in all 12 games with 11 starts at defensive end.
• Honored as the team’s defensive lineman of the year following the season.
• Totaled 44 tackles, led the Huskies with 9.0 tackles for loss and broke up three passes.
• Credited with at least two tackles in 11 of 12 games.
• Made five tackles with half a sack in season-opening win over Eastern Illinois (9-1).
• Recorded a four-yard sack and five tackles at Tulsa (9-10).
• Also tallied five tackles at Ball State (10-1).
• One of his two tackles versus Toledo (10-8) went for loss.
• Registered three tackles and half a tackle for loss in win at Eastern Michigan (10-15).
• Made a season-high eight tackles against Central Michigan (11-2), adding a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
• Recorded a career high four tackles for loss and a pass break-up in NIU’s win at Western Michigan (11-9).
• Earned Academic All-MAC honors.
Against Nebraska: 5 TKL, 2 Solo, 1 TFL, 1 Pass Defended
LA Tech
WR Cyrus Allen- 2 years eligibility left after this year, 6’0 180lbs. He ran the kick back in the second quarter that was called back for a hold and made the big third down catch on the LA Tech TD drive in the 2nd quarter. Could be the potential big play/take the top off guy we have so desperately needed at WR for what feels like forever.
As a Freshman… Appeared in 10 games while seven starts... Recorded 22 receptions for 500 yards and four receiving touchdowns ... Averaged 22.73 yards per catch which were the second most nationally ... Ranked sixth nationally among all true freshmen in receiving yards with 500 ... Led all FBS freshman in scrimmage plays over 30 yards with 10 ... Had a season-high 121 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opener at Missouri (Sept. 1) ... Also topped the century mark in receiving with 109 yards in a win over Middle Tennessee (Nov. 5).
Against Nebraska: 6 catches 102 yards 1 TD
NIU
DT/DE James Ester- 1 year of eligibility left after this year (Covid year). Was all over the field against Nebraska including making 2 TFLs. Clearly was their best defensive player IMO and would be a perfect fit into our 3-3-5 system. Had 13.5 career TFLs heading into this year
2022 Season:
• Huskies’ 2022 team MVP earned second team All-MAC honors from PFF and Phil Steele and was a third team All-MAC selection by league coaches.
• Started all 12 games at defensive tackle and finished with a career high 28 total tackles with six tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumbles forced.
• Made two tackles with half a sack in the season-opening win over Eastern Illinois (9-1).
• Recorded four tackles with half a sack and a forced fumble at Kentucky (9-24).
• Set the tone for NIU’s win at Eastern Michigan (10-15) by batting down and then intercepting a pass in the end zone for the Huskies’ first touchdown, the first of his career.
• Made a season-high six tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup versus Central Michigan (11-2).
• Registered a four-yard sack and forced a fumble in NIU’s win at Western Michigan (11-9).
• Credited with six tackles, one for loss, against Miami (11-16).
• Tallied full or partial tackles for loss at Tulsa (9-10) and versus Akron (11-26).
• Add two stops and two quarterback hurries in the Ohio (10-22) and Akron games.
• Season long team captain.
Against Nebraska: 5 TKL, 3 Solo, 2 TFL
DT/DE Raishein Thomas- 1 year of eligibility left after this year (Covid year). Another guy that can play at the line at either DT or DE and would be a good fit in our 3-3-5 scheme. Named NIU Defensive MVP after their spring practices and entered this year with over 100 career tackles and 12.5 TFL
2022 Season:
Played in all 12 games with 11 starts at defensive end.
• Honored as the team’s defensive lineman of the year following the season.
• Totaled 44 tackles, led the Huskies with 9.0 tackles for loss and broke up three passes.
• Credited with at least two tackles in 11 of 12 games.
• Made five tackles with half a sack in season-opening win over Eastern Illinois (9-1).
• Recorded a four-yard sack and five tackles at Tulsa (9-10).
• Also tallied five tackles at Ball State (10-1).
• One of his two tackles versus Toledo (10-8) went for loss.
• Registered three tackles and half a tackle for loss in win at Eastern Michigan (10-15).
• Made a season-high eight tackles against Central Michigan (11-2), adding a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
• Recorded a career high four tackles for loss and a pass break-up in NIU’s win at Western Michigan (11-9).
• Earned Academic All-MAC honors.
Against Nebraska: 5 TKL, 2 Solo, 1 TFL, 1 Pass Defended