Huskies Insider: NIU Lands 3 More Recruits; Conference Title Game Hopes Still Alive

[Ape]

 

DeKalb, IL

Welcome back to Huskies Insider, your premier source on NIU Football. Today we’re back to discuss Coach Ape’s latest commitments and to hate on Ball State because it’s rivalry week! 
 

Recruiting

Coach Ape has landed 3 more commitments since our last update. The Huskies class now has 15 commitments (3 4* and 12 3*) and stands at 49th nationally, 2nd in the MAC, 1st in the state of Illinois. Let’s take a look at the newest commitments that Coach Ape has secured.

 

Mickey Kenney: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Coverage Outside Linebacker from Blair Oaks HS in Jefferson City, MO

Overall: C

Potential: B+
 

Mickey “The Mouse” Kenney is one of the higher ranked 3*s in this class. He was a stretch candidate for the Huskies for a long time. Having an instate option with a B potential in Christopher Anderson had put Kenney out of reach according to many insiders with the program, but somehow Coach Ape was able to add this exciting prospect to the class. Long pursued by Texas State, in the end Kenney said in his signing announcement that NIU and Coach Ape were the only team he wanted to play for. Kenney is a beast in coverage, able to go sideline to sideline and let the defensive line get at the QB. Blair Oaks won the Class 2 state title during Kenney’s Senior year in large part due to his play. Coach Ape praised his high motor and grit when asked for his best quality though Coach Ape said, “He’s got that dog in him.” Sounds like the perfect Huskie to us. 
 

Tommy McClellan: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Red Zone Threat Wide Receiver from Parkersburg South High in Parkersburg, WV

Overall: C

Potential: B+
 

The Huskies finally got their future potential WR1 and it’s a really good one out of West Virginia. Tommy McClellan is tough as nails, his entire family works in the coal mines. He never thought he’d be able to play college football. NIU was somehow his only FBS offer. A long term target for Coach Ape, he has finally signed his National Letter of Intent. Somehow this native mountaineer was overlooked by instate West Virginia and Marshall. He’s only 6’2’’ but his coach said he plays like he’s 6’5’’ when he’s down in the redzone. Tommy is a TD hound setting the record for career TDs at Parkersburg South. Scouts love his potential and rate it as a B+, a great signing for the program this late in the cycle. 
 

Daniel Kovacs: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Zone Coverage Free Safety from Montgomery Catholic in Montgomery, AL
 

 

Overall: C

Potential: C+
 

Daniel Kovacs was a surprise addition to the Huskies class. For a long time it was looking like he would sign with Rutgers, but has instead joined the this pretty stellar class for NIU. Kovacs comes in at a position of need and has the potential to be a multi-year starter if he develops well. When asked why he signed with the Huskies over the Scarlet Knights, Kovacs said, “I want to play for a winner. Coach Ape has shown he can compete for potential conference championships in the future.” So there you have it, Coach Ape’s winning ways on the field paying dividends for him in recruitment also. Kovacs has played varsity for 4 years at Catholic and hopes he can have that kind of impact on NIU’s program. “Let me at ‘em.” 
 

 

Conference Title Shot Still Alive; Ball State Comes into town

 

NIU has won two in a row against WMU and UMass and has kept their conference title game shot alive, and 10 wins in a year still possible. Here’s how your Huskies can make it to Detroit against BGSU. First,  beat Ball (Nor A) State this week and get the Bronze Stalk to stay right here in Barb City. Second, after beating Ball State, root for WMU to beat CMU. If these two very believable things happen your NIU Huskies will be playing BGSU for the MAC Championship. 

 

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by Ape