Huskies Insider: NIU Lands First 4 Commitments in 2023 Class

[Ape]

Dekalb, IL 

Coach Ape has announced that the NIU Huskies have received signed national letters of intent from 4 recruits today. Huskies Insider has the scoop on all four of these recruits. 

Mario Glenn:  ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Speed ILB from University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy in Detroit MI 

Overall: C

Potential: B

Mario Glenn comes in as one of the headliners of this class for the Huskies. He was identified as a target right away (after NIU sorted out their recruiting issues in the first weeks) and Coach Ape has been making a very strong push each week to get Mario into the program. At 6’2’’ and 229 pounds Glenn will be all over the middle of the field for the Huskies. When asked about why he targeted Glenn specifically Coach Ape said, “Mario has a great work ethic. This young man is going to reach his potential because of that. He’s going to help be a leader and I want to help him get to that potential.” 
 

Jamie Powroznik: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Pass Rusher DT from Haralson County in Tallapoosa, GA 

Overall: C

Potential: B

Jamie Powroznik was a “steal” according to Coach Ape. The 6’4’’ 284lb pass rusher is a huge get at an area of need for the Huskies with no clear heir to the position before his commitment. Powroznik was heavily recruited in the MAC and NIU and BGSU fought for weeks to get his signature. Coach Ape didn’t know which way he was going to go until he called and said he was coming to DeKalb. Adding Glenn and Powroznik on the same day really helps to add some high end talent potential on the defense for the Huskies, and both of them are the keys to this class for NIU. 
 

Andrew Coleman: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Balanced DE from Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, IL

Overall: C

Potential: A- 

Andrew Coleman was one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation the last few weeks. He had a lot of local interest, with NIU competing against two IL FCS programs (SIU and ISU) to get his commitment. Coleman has a very high ceiling. He already has the Big Man on Campus feel, and his high school coach says that he is always the center of attention in the locker room. Coleman ultimately decided on NIU giving him a chance to play at the FBS level and prove that he can reach his potential for Coach Ape’s program. 
 

Cesar Flores: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Pass Blocking OT from Morton High School in Morton, IL

Overall: C

Potential: B+ 

Cesar Flores is another recruit that Coach Ape has been heavily focused on this cycle. He’s 6’4’’ and 289lbs so he could put on more weight after getting to campus but he has a massive potential. When asked what drew him to Flores initially Coach Ape raved, “Cesar has the exact mentality that I want for my team. He didn’t come from a lot and is the first in his family to go to college. He’s just got that tough working class mentality needed to exceed expectations at the next level.” Flores received a lot of interest from out of state programs, mainly Southern Mississippi and Louisiana Tech, but chose to stay closer to home with the Huskies and we’re happy to have him in Barb City. 

 

These 4 players represent an excellent base to a hopefully growing class for the Huskies. We know we’re certainly excited by their potential and the potential it brings to this program. 
 

That’s all we have today at Huskies Insider. Until next time, Go Huskies! #BarbCity

Edited July 12, 2023 by Ape