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Northern Illinois enters 2026 with a QB battle, strong RB Telly Johnson Jr., many transfers, young lines, and a challenging new-look schedule.
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The quarterback position is wide open. Jalen Macon and Brady Davidson return. Macon is a run first quarterback, while Davidson is a pocket passer. The additions of Ean Hamric (D2 Charleston) and Taron Dickens (Western Carolina) are huge. Hamric is a great dual threat, while Dickens threw for 3,508 yards and 38 touchdowns last season.
The running back room returns production in Telly Johnson Jr. and Elijah Porter. Johnson is a feature back who can do it all. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season. Watch out for Romelo Ware and Triston White. True freshman Jaiduan Crawford could also make some noise.
The wide receiver room returns experience in DeAree Rogers, George Dimopoulos, La’don Bryant, and Rickey Taylor Jr. Rogers is a true WR1. The additions of Cam Thompson (Mississippi State), Kevin Holmes Jr. (D2 Texas A&M-Kingsville), and Tavaris Coles (JUCO) are big. Thompson returns to Northern Illinois where he had a solid 2024 season.
The offensive line returns experience in Landon Hron, Jacob Welch, Lane Mahnesmith, and Ross Liegel. Watch out for redshirt freshman Tyler Chambers. The additions of Daine Hanson (D2 Texas-Permian Basin), Chevy Trask Jr. (South Carolina State), Ty Mead (D2 Northwood), and multiple true freshmen, will all be in the rotation.
The defensive line room returns some experience in Jay’shon Thomas and will rely on redshirt freshmen Montrel Canion and Amari Washington to produce. The additions of Matthew Scarlett (D2 Virginia State), Kole Sneed (St. Thomas), Mathias Smith-Davis (D2 Central State), James Bradley (Mississippi Valley State), and Jacob McGhee (D2 Lincoln MO) round out the rotation.
The linebacker room could start two freshmen. Redshirt freshman Kimar Nelson and true freshman Jack Murray. Brody Windham has been moved from safety to linebacker. The additions of Cooper Mau (JUCO) and Brady Kerperin (JUCO) provide much needed game experience.
The secondary returns experience in Dev’ion Reynolds and Malik Armstrong. The additions of Kyon Conyers (LIU), Avery Jones (Lafayette), Liam Lindo (Bryant), Yassine Falke (NAIA Marian), Marshall Washington Jr. (LIU), Justin Harris (D2 Central State), Aaron Warren (D2 Eastern New Mexico), and Tyrese Stanley (D2 Moorehouse) will all play big roles.
The punting role will belong to Jake Ference. He shared the role last season. The kicking role will belong to Butler transfer Ryan Short, who did it all for the Bulldogs.
So many new changes are happening in DeKalb. A new conference, an interim head coach, and more. The lines will be young, and they must decide on a quarterback. One good thing, leaning on running back Telly Johnson Jr. He is the next in a long line of standout running backs at Northern Illinois.
