Yep, thinking about next year already. In looking at the roster, here are some position changes that could make sense considering positions that need more depth and players who need to get on the field. I have no idea what I'm talking about, just fun hot stove stuff here.

Joe Bonds and/or Cortez Hogans to defensive end
We will be thin at defensive end with Sutton Smith going pro. After starters Quintin Wynne and Matt Lorbeck, who should be solid, we have Mike Kennedy who barely played, Jawon Denton who didn't play at all and weighs 200 pounds, and Caleb Wright who redshirted. It would get scary in a hurry if Wynne or Lorbeck were to get hurt.

Bonds and Hogans are good enough to play but will be stuck behind other guys at linebacker this year. Both are big and athletic enough to play some end (Bonds played on the edge quite a bit in high school anyway) and it would be great to get them on the field. They don't have to stay at end forever by the way. They could always move back to linebacker in subsequent years as needed. This is just a way to get them on the field in 2019 while adding depth to a position of need.

Marcus Kelly to defensive end
Here's another way to add depth to the defensive end position. Kelly does a nice job in the defensive tackle rotation but he is smallish there and Jeff Griffin should be ready to take some reps in 2019. Instead of trying to bulk up, Kelly could drop a little weight and play end, which is what he played in high school anyway and has played some here as well. He would not be a pass rusher but should do fine holding up against the run.

Jordan Rowell to safety
We need to have the next generation of safeties in the pipeline with Mykelti Williams, Trayshon Foster, Trequan Smith and Adam Buirge leaving after 2019. Rowell played safety in high school and moving him there now would give him a year and a half to prepare for 2020. It would also possibly get him on the field faster than at running back where he is stuck in a crowded room. And he's supposed to be one of the fastest guys on the team and has good size so let's get some use out of him.

Kewan Parker to safety
Parker is another option at safety, the position he played in high school if I'm not mistaken. And at 5-11 and 198 pounds he's already right sized for the position where he will have to add 25 pounds or so to play linebacker.

Owen Rozumalski to defensive tackle
Defensive tackle is another area where we need to get guys in the pipeline. Rozumalski is listed at 6 feet and 271 pounds so he would have to add 25 or 30 pounds to play offensive line. Alternatively, he could add 10 or 15 pounds and play defensive tackle, and his short stature would be something of an advantage there, see Nabal Jefferson.

How about Harbison to DE?

(12-20-2018 01:38 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  How about Harbison to DE?

The old RB to DE trick that became Sutton Smith. How we move Kyle Pugh to to RB and create the next Cameron Stingily?

(12-20-2018 11:08 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  Yep, thinking about next year already. In looking at the roster, here are some position changes that could make sense considering positions that need more depth and players who need to get on the field. I have no idea what I'm talking about, just fun hot stove stuff here.

Joe Bonds and/or Cortez Hogans to defensive end
We will be thin at defensive end with Sutton Smith going pro. After starters Quintin Wynne and Matt Lorbeck, who should be solid, we have Mike Kennedy who barely played, Jawon Denton who didn't play at all and weighs 200 pounds, and Caleb Wright who redshirted. It would get scary in a hurry if Wynne or Lorbeck were to get hurt.

Bonds and Hogans are good enough to play but will be stuck behind other guys at linebacker this year. Both are big and athletic enough to play some end (Bonds played on the edge quite a bit in high school anyway) and it would be great to get them on the field. They don't have to stay at end forever by the way. They could always move back to linebacker in subsequent years as needed. This is just a way to get them on the field in 2019 while adding depth to a position of need.

Marcus Kelly to defensive end
Here's another way to add depth to the defensive end position. Kelly does a nice job in the defensive tackle rotation but he is smallish there and Jeff Griffin should be ready to take some reps in 2019. Instead of trying to bulk up, Kelly could drop a little weight and play end, which is what he played in high school anyway and has played some here as well. He would not be a pass rusher but should do fine holding up against the run.

Jordan Rowell to safety
We need to have the next generation of safeties in the pipeline with Mykelti Williams, Trayshon Foster, Trequan Smith and Adam Buirge leaving after 2019. Rowell played safety in high school and moving him there now would give him a year and a half to prepare for 2020. It would also possibly get him on the field faster than at running back where he is stuck in a crowded room. And he's supposed to be one of the fastest guys on the team and has good size so let's get some use out of him.

Kewan Parker to safety
Parker is another option at safety, the position he played in high school if I'm not mistaken. And at 5-11 and 198 pounds he's already right sized for the position where he will have to add 25 pounds or so to play linebacker.

Owen Rozumalski to defensive tackle
Defensive tackle is another area where we need to get guys in the pipeline. Rozumalski is listed at 6 feet and 271 pounds so he would have to add 25 or 30 pounds to play offensive line. Alternatively, he could add 10 or 15 pounds and play defensive tackle, and his short stature would be something of an advantage there, see Nabal Jefferson.

I've thought about Rowell at LB, but would be fine to see him at safety. Just get him on the field.

We don't know if Rowell is a player. Has great physical skills,but in 2 years hasn't played. That seems strange.

I really hope Justin hall sees the field next season, would love to see what he can do. Was the first UA all american ever committed to niu. Kids got talent

(12-20-2018 10:59 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  I really hope Justin hall sees the field next season, would love to see what he can do. Was the first UA all american ever committed to niu. Kids got talent

I really want to see him at RB. Met him in Detroit, really cool kid.

(12-20-2018 09:48 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  We don't know if Rowell is a player. Has great physical skills,but in 2 years hasn't played. That seems strange.

He's played special teams this year. He's only a freshman and redshirted his first year. RB is deep for us as well. Hoping he get more time next year

(12-21-2018 12:07 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 10:59 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  I really hope Justin hall sees the field next season, would love to see what he can do. Was the first UA all american ever committed to niu. Kids got talent

I really want to see him at RB. Met him in Detroit, really cool kid.

I'm pretty sure he was an all american at RB in high school not defense, but NIU wanted to switch to defense. Either way, need to find a way to get that type of talent on the field at a MAC school.

Anyone know what happened to Ben LeRoy? Did he get injured the week before the MAC?