The Northern Illinois Huskies look to make a return to the MAC Championship Game for the first time since 2021. After a 6-5 season that led to a second-place finish in the West Division of the conference, who is returning to DeKalb to help the Huskies race to the finish as we enter another season of MACtion? Let’s take a gander at the top 10 returners for the Huskies.
Northern Illinois Huskies Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal era. As such, we’ve included transfer portal athletes who were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) Gavin Williams, Running Back
The yin to Antario Brown’s yang, Gavin Williams should have plenty of opportunities to be productive in the run game this season.
He had double-digit carries in four games last year, and the fifth-year senior had 488 yards on the ground in addition to his 24 catches for 147 yards.
Williams is almost six feet tall, and while the dating apps may frown on rounding up, his size is a weapon on the field and allows the Huskies to use him in a variety of ways. Williams’ experience is another major coup, as he saw action at Iowa before transferring to NIU in 2023.
9) Ethan Hampton, Quarterback
Ethan Hampton saw action in four games backing up Rocky Lombardi, who moved on to the UFL and professional football after a big year in 2023. Hampton had a pair of touchdowns but also threw a pair of interceptions to go with his 19 completions on 147 yards.
He did show flashes last season, leading the Huskies’ offense to their only touchdown at Nebraska in 2023. At 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, Hampton has enough size in the pocket to be a presence, but he’ll be heavily aided by a superb ground game and a fantastic offensive line up front. Time will tell, but Hampton should be poised to take a big step forward in 2024.
8) Andrew McElroy
A spring transfer to NIU, Andrew McElroy is a massive target at 6-foot-3 and almost 200 pounds. McElroy led St. Thomas of the Pioneer League with 39 catches for 525 yards and two touchdowns. That was enough to get him second-team All-Pioneer League.
McElroy is a senior and by all accounts has integrated well into NIU’s program. Though he is moving up a division, McElroy’s career numbers are so good and consistent that he should meet this new challenge with plenty of confidence. A strong run game should open up windows for him to make some big plays this fall.
7) Nate Valcarcel, Safety
The South Dakota transfer tied for the lead in interceptions in his first season as a starter with NIU. Nate Valcarcel added a pass breakup, half a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 46 tackles to his résumé as a full-time starter.
Valcarcel has been in the program for a while, contributing in spot duty and on special teams since arriving in 2021. His willingness to play all over and added experience should lead the senior to a productive season from the safety position. Valcarcel will be part of a deep defensive unit that should be able to flex its muscles in 2024.
6) Raishein Thomas, Defensive End
Raishein Thomas is a beefy defensive end, standing 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds. His size is a big reason he’s the current leader on the Huskies’ defense with 186 tackles and 20 tackles for loss in 45 career games.
Coming off a junior season where he started every game, the senior EDGE should have a major impact after making 74 tackles last season.
Thomas’ 7.5 TFLs may overshadow his two sacks from last season, but the attention opposing teams show him may allow teammates to produce more in that department, even though his presence will be felt.
5) Grayson Barnes, Tight End
Having come to Northern Illinois from American River Community College, the 6-foot-5 target is a production machine when the ball comes his way. Grayson Barnes’ 18.3 yards per reception were tops for the Huskies as were his five receiving touchdowns.
Barnes is an impact player. If he’s not catching passes, he’s doing the little things in the run game to help bust his teammates for big gains.
Barnes’ versatility is a major weapon, and his ability to go over the top of defenders should continue to make him a safe bet for explosive play potential.
4) JaVaughn Byrd, Defensive Back
JaVaughn Byrd started every game for the Huskies in 2023 and totaled 32 tackles, along with five pass breakups and three interceptions. He was tied for first on the team in takeaways through the air, enough to earn him a second-team All-MAC selection.
Byrd has a penchant for making the right play at the right time, and his speed is a weapon that allows him to play physically when needed. Byrd should be a huge part of the Huskies’ defense, a rare senior who will finish his career where it started.
3) Trayvon Rudolph, Wide Receiver
The speedy Trayvon Rudolph returns with an opportunity to move up the records ladder at NIU before his time is done.
Rudolph’s 116 career catches are tied for 18th all-time, and if he has the kind of season he’s capable of, it could lead to big things.
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His 51 catches and two touchdowns were good production alone, but Rudolph also was the third-leading rusher with 182 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown on the ground.
Add in the 220 yards from kickoff returns, and it’s easy to see how he figures to be a big part of the offense, especially after being named Most Improved Offensive Player in the spring.
2) Antario Brown, Running Back
A beefy back with an attitude, Antario Brown rushed for an impressive 8.41 yards per carry in MAC play in 2023 and has 2,523 career rushing yards, which puts him one spot ahead of his head coach Thomas Hammock on the all-time leaders list.
Brown scored double-digit touchdowns on the ground with 10 scores and converted one reception into a touchdown as well.
His résumé reads like a grocery list if awards were items you needed to buy — long and including just about everything. Brown will be relied upon heavily in the ground game in 2024.
1) John Champe, Offensive Line
Other than having a high school named after him, John Champe is one of those rare players who is so good at a position that doesn’t often produce stars. So when they do happen, it must be celebrated like a rare comet streaking through the sky.
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