http://www.niuhuskies.com/blog/2011/02/h...ks-ea.html

Northern Illinois unofficially added senior tight end Jack Marks (Orland Park, Ill./Marist HS) to its list of 2011 football signees Monday as Huskies' Head Coach Dave Doeren announced that the former walk-on has earned a scholarship, effective immediately.

In 2010, Marks played in every game for the Huskies as one of NIU's top two tight ends and made a pair of appearances in the starting line-up. He finished the season with a career-high eight catches for 75 yards and averaged 9.4 yards per catch. Five of his catches came versus Illinois, when he totaled 55 receiving yards, including a career-long 22-yard catch. He also caught passes versus Toledo, Western Michigan and Iowa State.

"We were honored to award Jack with a scholarship after all the hard work he has put into the program here," Doeren said. "He is a true Huskie and has earned the right to be a scholarship athlete at NIU."

In all, Marks has played in 22 games over the last two years and has nine catches for 80 yards. Marks has continued a family football tradition at Northern Illinois as two of his uncles played football at NIU in the 1970s.

Northern Illinois coaches have long acknowledged the value walk-ons bring to the football program with Marks the latest non-scholarship player to be rewarded. Current Huskies Jason Schepler, Sean Progar and Rashaan Melvin began their careers as walk-ons as did 2010 seniors Chad Spann, who now stands as NIU's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, and Jake Coffman, who ranks on the Huskies' list for career quarterback sacks. Spann, Coffman, Progar and Schepler all earned All-Mid-American Conference accolades in 2010 while playing key roles for the record-setting 11-3 Humanitarian Bowl Champions.

"One of my goals as the head coach at Northern Illinois is to continue to have a very strong walk-on program," Doeren said. "Individuals like Jack Marks who come here without a scholarship are very important to the success of our team."

Northern Illinois opens its first spring practice under Doeren on Tuesday, March 22. Season tickets for the 2011 six-game home schedule are on sale now for just $99. Call 815-753-1923 or go online to http://www.NIUHuskies.com.

well deserved, when you've played in most games the last 2 seasons, you deserve a scholly.

Good coaching move using up remaining scholarships on a player that will be a 5th yr senior.

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-footb...ack00.html

http://espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=237681

Lets get him a touchdown this year Coach D!

Melvin, Progar, Coffman and Spann? I don't know what that says when guys I would consider probably 4 of our top 15 players were walk-on's. Always wonder how these guys slip through the cracks.

It's not like Melvin or Progar are undersized. I mean I understand Coffman is a unique situation, but the other guys, you'd think someone would have noticed them.

Looks like this guy has played a lot in the past two years, a lot more than other scholly players with some of them never seeing the field. Seems like he has deserved this a long time ago. Good for him!

Congratulations to Marks. Always good when a walk-on who puts in the time and work gets rewarded.

(02-22-2011 10:09 AM)HuskieFan84 Wrote:  Melvin, Progar, Coffman and Spann? I don't know what that says when guys I would consider probably 4 of our top 15 players were walk-on's. Always wonder how these guys slip through the cracks.

It's not like Melvin or Progar are undersized. I mean I understand Coffman is a unique situation, but the other guys, you'd think someone would have noticed them.

I thought the story on Progar was that he was going to Michigan or somewhere pretty big, but then a coaching change happened and he no longer had a spot there and was basically left out.

Anyone else remember that? Maybe I'm just making it up....

I agree on Melvin, don't see many DB's with his size get to us.

You are accurate on Progar. When Rich Rod came in he was left out.

(02-22-2011 04:25 PM)NIUSAE Wrote:  You are accurate on Progar. When Rich Rod came in he was left out.

Is he on scholarship now?

This was a classy decsion by our new head coach

(02-22-2011 05:07 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-22-2011 04:25 PM)NIUSAE Wrote:  You are accurate on Progar. When Rich Rod came in he was left out.

Is he on scholarship now?

I would have to think so, I think he was put on scholly after his first year.

I thought Marks was already on scholarship, glad he finally received his scholly. Congrats.

I was stunned Progar walked on with us, thought he should have received an offer from us out of HS. He is a LOAD.