***Mods please move to important threads***

The 2021 class is off and running!

1. Brian Whitsey
https://twitter.com/OfficialBMW11




FS Solorio Academy HS, Chicago, IL

Ht: 6'2"
Wt: 195 lbs

Quote:"I visited NIU today for the Junior Day and NIU has been recruiting me since my sophomore year," Whitsey said. "After being at NIU and getting to know everyone better, I just feel like NIU is where I belong so I committed."

Whitsey, who was also drawing early recruiting attention from the likes of Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Eastern Illinois, Illinois and SIU discusses what stands out to him about NIU after his Junior Day visit.

"NIU has a great coaching staff. I also like the direction of the program and they have been a winning program for the most part over the last several years. I just feel that NIU has a lot to offer and that it's the best fit and the best place for me. That's why I decided to commit early."

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/v/2CGnn7



2. Blake Kosin
https://twitter.com/BKosin78



TE Clarkston HS, Clarkston, MI

Ht: 6'6"
Wt: 225 lbs

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9786375/5b9...0b6ced04a8




3. Ethan Hampton
https://twitter.com/ethan_hampton4



QB Aurora Christian HS, Aurora, IL

Ht: 6'3"
WT: 185 lbs

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/v/2BmaWa




4. JaVaughn Byrd
https://twitter.com/ByrdJavaughn



FS King HS, Milwaukee, WI

Height & Weight: 6'1" 170lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.42
Shuttle: 4.32
Vertical: 31.5
Bench: 155
400 Meter Dash: 50.42
Squat(LBS): 295
Deadlift(LBS): 355
Clean(LBS): 185

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/v/2CRPMu



5. Pete Nygra
https://twitter.com/PNygra54



OL/DL Brownburg HS, Brownsburg, IN

Height & Weight: 6'4" 260lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.85
Shuttle: 4.6
Vertical: 30
Bench: 300
185 Bench (Reps): 25
Squat(LBS): 400
Deadlift(LBS): 365
Clean(LBS): 255

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/v/2CP7kv


6. Trey Urwiler
https://twitter.com/iam_TreyUrwiler



WR Batavia HS, Batavia, IL

Height: 5'9"
Weight: 165lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.4

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/v/2CPy0i



7. Luke Eckardt
https://twitter.com/EckardtLuke



OT/DE Richmond-Burton Community HS, Richmond, HS

Height & Weight: 6'6" 265lbs
40 Yard Dash: 5.5
Shuttle: 4.6
Bench: 235
185 Bench (Reps): 4
Squat(LBS): 310

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9916364/5df...0e382e5066



8. Cade Haberman
https://twitter.com/Habs_51



DL Westside HS, Omaha, NE

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 270 lbs

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/9507369/5d6a...168049fd29



9. Drew Biber
https://twitter.com/TheDrewBiber



WR/TE Cegarburg HS, Cedarburg, WI

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 205 lbs

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10445740/5d...0f18bb7b11



10. Tajheem Lawson
https://twitter.com/TajDaGreat4



RB Marian Catholic HS, Chicago Heights, IL

Height: 5'10"
Wight: 160 lbs

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.hudl.com/v/2CVyqa



11. Trevon Jordan
https://twitter.com/TrevonJordan10



DE Sterling HS, Sterling, IL

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 235 lbs

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9937373/5dd...07e888f271



12. Mason Pierre-Antoine
https://twitter.com/Parris_iii



WR Lincoln Way East HS, Frankfurt, IL

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 175 lbs

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8987357/5e8...05c08ff9be



13. Luke Pinnick
https://twitter.com/luke_pinnick



OT West Marshall HS, State Center, IA

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 295 lbs

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9752702/5dd...0d145b7a74

Thanks for posting this, I always love these threads.

Like the potential he has to be a ballhawk as a safety. The last true ballhawk we had at safety is about to play in the super bowl.

brought in a ton of safeties this last class as well

(01-23-2020 09:53 AM)NIU32 Wrote:  brought in a ton of safeties this last class as well

I like it. As they seem to be focused on speed I wouldn’t be surprised if a number of them sit a year, add 20 lbs or so and end up at LB. This most recent verbal in particular, already at 6’ 2 190 not even in his SR year looks like a frame that can add some good weight with the ability to play the pass and tackle in space... Keep them coming.

agreed. I like what Hammock and his staff are doing, especially with the 2020 class. We had 23 3 star commits (5 more than any other MAC team) and somehow still only finished 4th (they have a flawed formula that ranks average stars vs total), but this has to be our best class in history regarding the 247 star system. Now that the coaches have even more time together, the 2021 class could even be better which is exciting

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Footba...erence=MAC

(01-23-2020 05:29 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  agreed. I like what Hammock and his staff are doing, especially with the 2020 class. We had 23 3 star commits (5 more than any other MAC team) and somehow still only finished 4th (they have a flawed formula that ranks average stars vs total), but this has to be our best class in history regarding the 247 star system. Now that the coaches have even more time together, the 2021 class could even be better which is exciting

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Footba...erence=MAC

I look at the average and overall. The average is a better indicator of what level you’re recruiting at. Especially relative to the conference. The total is good for any one given class. The more kids the better chance for a play maker. But size varies every year.

The # of 2 or 3 star kids is flawed since ratings have elevated recently. NIU is historically 3rd to 5th in average in Mac. Probably never change. I really don’t have different expectations for a .780 kid to about a .840 kid. Start getting multiple .850-.880 kids and I’ll start thinking “next level”.

Hopefully, sooner then later, instead of chasing unicorns, we can get back to what my school has done for the last 15 years.. chasing Mac championships

(01-23-2020 09:11 PM)Jb 94 Wrote:  Hopefully, sooner then later, instead of chasing unicorns, we can get back to what my school has done for the last 15 years.. chasing Mac championships

(01-23-2020 09:11 PM)Jb 94 Wrote:  Hopefully, sooner then later, instead of chasing unicorns, we can get back to what my school has done for the last 15 years.. chasing Mac championships

What exactly do you think these guys are being recruited to chase??? You cannot get to the "next level" without a MAC championship, if that is what you are referring to.

Topic stickied

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(01-23-2020 05:29 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  agreed. I like what Hammock and his staff are doing, especially with the 2020 class. We had 23 3 star commits (5 more than any other MAC team) and somehow still only finished 4th (they have a flawed formula that ranks average stars vs total), but this has to be our best class in history regarding the 247 star system. Now that the coaches have even more time together, the 2021 class could even be better which is exciting

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Footba...erence=MAC

Agree. Hope those Olineman come thru that is my concern...very happy with 2020 class overall. SPEED.

Coach Hammock just tweeted that he got his second 2021 commit

TE Blake Kosin
6-6, 225
Clarkston, MI

https://twitter.com/BKosin78

https://www.hudl.com/profile/9786375/Blake-Kosin

That size though! Hammock is definitely bringing a new approach to recruiting and I’m loving it.

(02-02-2020 12:01 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  Coach Hammock just tweeted that he got his second 2021 commit

TE Blake Kosin
6-6, 225
Clarkston, MI

https://twitter.com/BKosin78

https://www.hudl.com/profile/9786375/Blake-Kosin

Love his blocking!

I would assume this refers to a 2021 verbal from a big fella.

https://twitter.com/niucoachhammock/stat...14848?s=21

New commit is QB Ethan Hampton from Aurora Christian.

Yep.

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9961269/5d8...0060d03bac

https://twitter.com/ethan_hampton4/statu...97504?s=21

Beebe's have been good to NIU.

Hammock likes tall QBs, he's 6'3"