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Huskie football signs 22 players

February 3, 2011
Dave Doeren

Dave Doeren

The blizzard that roared through northern Illinois Tuesday night and Wednesday morning did nothing to interrupt the momentum of first-year Northern Illinois Head Coach Dave Doeren and his coaching staff, even if they couldn’t access their offices to receive the first fax transmissions of signed National Letters of Intent until 8:30 a.m. Central, nearly two-and-a-half hours into the signing period.

When the roads around the Yordon Center were cleared and the coaches got to the fax machine, they found the signatures of an impressive group of 22 future Huskies. The list includes 10 defensive players, 10 offensive players and two specialists, one of which is also listed at linebacker.

The key to the group, according to Doeren, was “fit.”

“We found some guys that really fit our profile of NIU football players,” Doeren said. “They are tough, hard-nosed, physical, dependable guys. We found guys from winning programs, guys who have won state championships. I am very pleased with this class. I don’t think anyone got signed because we needed a name on the list. These are guys that we feel are good enough to play and be here at Northern Illinois. We are adding these guys to our family and I’m not going to take a guy just to take him. I feel really excited and very proud of this group of men that are joining our team, our family.”

The newest Huskies hail from eight different states as Doeren and his staff scattered throughout the country to ink this year’s names. Northern Illinois signed six players from Missouri and five from Florida, areas Doeren has recruited over the last several years, and brought in four players from Illinois and three from Wisconsin. Indiana, Ohio, Arizona and Kansas will send one player each to NIU.

For more information on the 2011 Huskie football recruiting class and a list of all 22 signees logon to www.NIUHuskies.com.