NIU Football Adds Nine for 2023
Soccer | February 1st
DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University head coach Thomas Hammock announced the addition of seven freshmen to its incoming class of 2023 on Wednesday, the first day of the signing period of february.
The latest group joins the 18 players who signed domestic letters of intent in December and the six additions, including five transfers, who joined the squad in January on the first day of spring semester classes.
“It’s a good group of players who have all played well in their senior seasons,” Hammock said. “We have assessed them as seniors and believe they can help our football team. We are happy to have them as Huskies. They help fulfill some needs as we look to develop depth and create competition in every position. We will continue to build our roster throughout the spring and summer as we work to develop our squad for the 2023 season.”
Eight of NIU’s nine February rookies are from Illinois or a neighboring state, including three “locals” in defensive back Ethan Tierney of DeKalb (DeKalb HS), running back Garrett Gensler of Rochelle (Rochelle Township HS ) and tight end Tyler Gaines of Rockford’s Thomas Jefferson High School.
“Adding six guys from Illinois and eight of nine from the Midwest is a big deal,” Hammock said. “We always want to take care of the guys in the state, that’s a big part of our roster, and so is bringing in talent from that area. We also have Kobe [Askew] in this group, who arrives with his high school teammate [December signee] Jay’shon [Thomas].”
NIU Football February 2023 Rookies Name Pos. Hgt. Hometown (High School) Kobe Askew WR 6-1,192 Fr. Cataula, Georgia (Harris County) Tyler Gaines TE 6-3,220 Fr. Rockford, Illinois (Thomas Jefferson) Garrett Gensler RB 6-1,200 Fr. Rochelle, Illinois (Township of Rochelle) Tyler Gentile DB 6-2 187 Fr. Oak Forest, Illinois (Oak Forest) Landon Hron OL 6-4 295 Fr. Hartford, Wisconsin. (Hartford) Chase Hutchinson LB 6-2 190 Fr. West Des Moines, Iowa (Valley) James Smith Jr. WR 6-6 185 Fr. Calumet Park, Illinois (HL Richards) Ethan Tierney DB 6-1 185 Fr. DeKalb, Illinois (DeKalb) Danny Vuckovic K 6-0 190 Fr. Kildeer, Illinois (Lake Zurich)
The Huskies’ full 2023 signing class and 2023 roster is just one topic Hammock will address during “A Night with NIU Football” on Friday, Feb. 10 in the Novak Room at Fatty’s Pub & Grille. Fans are invited to join Hammock, members of the NIU coaching staff and special guests at this free event from 5:30-7 p.m.
Enjoy appetizers and a cash bar while catching up on all off-season activities, preparations for the upcoming season and more. Representatives will be on hand to take Huskie Athletic Fund season passes and renewals and to provide expertise on the NIU and the NIL landscape and collectives. Although the event is free, pre-registration is required. To RSVP, click here.
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