[2024] Huskies Insider: Coach Ape Adds two more 3 Stars

[Ape]

 

Dekalb, IL 

Welcome back in to Huskies Insiders where we have some fresh recruiting news for the Huskies in this post bowl game period. 
 

Believe it or not folks but there are still unsigned 3* recruits out there. Sometimes people fall through the cracks and people like Coach Ape who stay vigilant pick up hidden gems. That’s what we hope will happen with the the two commitments that Coach Ape brought in today. Let’s dive in. 
 

Shashi Willis, OLB 3* C/C+

(Shashi leading his team out as Captain at Norview HS in Norfolk VA)

 

Shashi Willis is someone who Coach Ape identified late in this recruiting process but we are very excited about. Willis is rated as a 3 star prospect and rated as C overall with C+ potential. He was voted his teams defensive captain his Junior and Senior years at Norview. Willis is know for his pass rushing abilities and might be able to flex into a flex role between defensive end and outside linebacker. We know Willis had many suitors due to his hesitant nature. He was thinking of enlisting in the Space Force but decided to play college football. He had multiple Power 5 offers but ultimately decided to come to DeKalb in hopes of making and winning a conference championship. Our outlook for Willis is favorable. Coach ape signed multiple linebackers last cycle but we needed to add some solid depth. We like what Willis can provide in a back up role and we see future specials team unit captain written all over Willis. He will likely not take a redshirt and just start on the specials teams unit right away and provide depth in the linebacker corp. 

 

Erich Hurst 3* QB C/C+
 

(Erich leading his teammates at Broken Bow HS during the regional playoffs)

 

Coach Ape has once again found some under appreciated talent at QB late in a cycle. Last year he added Juan Vega out of Mississippi who did end up making one completion this regular season. This year it is another 3* C/C+ QB that adds an interesting option to the QB room. Erich Hurst is not know for a cannon arm but is known for his smarts. Hurst is in all AP classes at Broken Bow and has been very efficient on the field, always knowing where his receivers and backs will be. Just like fellow commit Xin Perry, Hurst is know as a Field General type QB which indicates a trend from Coach Ape possibly. His outlook might be just a backup QB for his career, with the possibility of a transfer out if he truly wants to start somewhere. We can’t hate on bringing in more 3* talent at QB though as competition is always healthy and when you’re talking about commitment number 19 in the class that’s something of value added still. 
 

Signed Elsewhere: 3* SS Stephen Schindler (C/C-)

Sadly sometimes the allure of Power 5 football is just too strong. Stephen Schindler was heavily considering NIU and would have been a really great 20th commitment. He however decided to commit to Arkansas where he will face tough SEC competition. We wish him luck and look for the Huskies to possibly add a 2* at safety or bandit to add some depth. 
 

Class Rank Update

NIU has moved up into the Top 25! The Huskies class of 11 4*s and 8 3*s now is ranked 24th currently. We know Coach Ape has said he will look to fill the class again and not take walk ons which is a choice. We know he has been linked to 2*s but have heard some breaking news that Coach Ape has not given up completely on 3*s and might get one more commitment from them. We know he is also linked to 2* Bandit Recruit Glenn Evans from West Palm Beach FLA but it seems unlikely to happen. Other thank that the only known target is 2* Nose Tackle (D/B+) Demetrio Gibson from Texas. NIU is his only FBS offer and only scholarship offer currently. Eastern Illinois is also known to have shown interest. We look forward to seeing who Coach Ape brings in on his last 6 scholarships