Over the last several seasons, the wide receivers have provided their fair share of "juice" for the Huskie offense in practice and games, so seeing a wide receiver in the yellow jersey is no surprise. Building on a strong spring and offseason of development and with a group of experienced freshmen ready to take on larger roles, head coach Thomas Hammock is excited about the potential he sees in the receivers in 2021.
"I like our wide receivers room," Hammock said. "I think right now we are eight deep without any freshman or newcomers even making an impact yet. We have guys that can make plays, guys that can run after the catch, that can be dynamic in the passing game and they're great blockers. They are unselfish. These guys will do whatever it takes for our offense to have success and I couldn't be more excited."
The group starts with 2020 All Mid-American Conference receiver Tyrice Richie (Chicago, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor HS/Dodge City CC), who caught 53 passes for 597 yards to lead the Huskies a year ago while recording four 100-yard receiving games over the season's six games. He is joined on the veterans list by DeKalb native Cole Tucker (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb HS), who has played in more games as a Huskie – 32 – than any receiver, catching 69 passes for 823 yards during that time. Hammock called him "Mr. Reliable."
"Tyrice is coming back after a great year last year and we're lucky to have him back," said NIU wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Tony Sorrentino. "He's really taken the next step in the offseason, developing his body and becoming a complete wide receiver. Cole has played the most football here and he kind of 'quarterbacks' the room, he's very smart and he helps out the younger guys."
Behind the two "senior" members of the wide receiving corps are a group of six players officially classified as freshmen. The redshirt freshman group of McCray, Mohamed Toure (Irvington, N.J./Irvington HS) and Messiah Travis (Chicago, Ill./Solorio Academy) are in their third seasons at NIU, while "COVID" freshmen Trayvon Rudolph (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee HS), Billy Dozier (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way West HS) and Jeremiah Howard (Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville HS) are entering their second year as Huskies. While they have combined for just 21 career catches so far, including 14 by Rudolph in 2020, Sorrentino loves what each brings to the Huskie offense.
"Trayvon is fast, he's got explosive speed and great hands," Sorrentino said. "He's really good in the slot, then we have three guys that did a great job last year for us that have really taken the next step. Messiah Travis has unbelievable speed on the outside and strong hands. I love his mental makeup. Fabian McCray had a great spring, was our most improved player, is strong in the weight room with good size and he can play all three positions. I love where he's at mentally, and then Mohamed Toure who's the toughest guy in the room. He's really somebody who's taking the next step, does it all running and receiving. Then Billy Dozier and Jeremiah Howard have taken a big jump, I love where their mindset is and they're going to help us."
One of the aspects that Hammock values most about the wide receivers is their work on special teams, not just in the returner positions but in filling key roles in coverage and on the return units.
"Those guys take pride in being good on special teams," Hammock said. "To be great on special teams, normally you need wide receivers to be a big part of that. In that room, we've got Messiah Travis, Mohamed Toure, Fabian McCray and Billy Dozier that excelled on special teams, and add Trayvon Rudolph and Cole Tucker as returners."
Sorrentino said that desire to be great on special teams illustrates the dedication of all the wide receiver to contribute to the team's success in whatever way necessary.
"I think they want to we'll do whatever we can to help our team win, whether it be special teams or offense," he said. "Hand us the ball, throw us the ball, we'll throw the ball. I think they have that mindset. It's a tight knit group, we really try to preach relationships and we just want to make plays and when the ball is thrown to us, go make the play."
The newest additions to the wide receiver room are rookies Isaiah Bragg (Chicago, Ill./Saint Rita of Cascia), Alex Crawford (Macomb, Mich./Dakota HS), Tyler Brueckner (DeKalb, Ill./Aurora Christian HS), Mason Pierre-Antoine (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East HS) and Trey Urwiler (Moosehart, Ill./Batavia HS). Just two days into preseason practice, they are working into the mix and focused on earning their reps every day.
Hammock appreciates the spirit and enthusiasm the wide receivers bring to the field, along with the competitive spirit he sees.
"That group, they cheer for each other, they encourage each other, and we rotate a lot of different guys in practice to put them in different situations," he said. "We try to give them everything in our offense, because you never know when a guy is going to need to step up, but I feel like right now there are eight guys that can play and contribute in different aspects of the game. We need to keep them healthy and they're going to be a big part of this offense in 2021."
PRACTICE #2 NOTES: NIU worked out for two hours in Huskie Stadium Saturday morning in helmets and shorts. Sunday's practice will be more physical as they don shoulder pads. Senior cornerback Zhamaine March provided one of the defensive highlights with an interception, while defensive tackle James Ester was spotted in the backfield on multiple occasions.
Huskie legend Jordan Lynch was in attendance for Saturday's workout and spoke to the team following practice about his journey at NIU – from a one-star recruit to a Heisman Trophy finalist – and trusting the process that it takes to have success.
The Huskies announced six team captains for 2021 late Friday. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi (Clive, Iowa/Valley HS/Michigan State), running back Clint Ratkovich (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee HS/Western Illinois), linebacker Nick Rattin (Palatine, Ill./Fremd HS), offensive lineman Brayden Patton (Elletsville, Ind./Edgewood HS), linebacker Lance Deveaux Jr. (Pompano Beach, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS) and defensive lineman James Ester (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) were chosen in a vote of their fellow players.
"We are to the point as a team where I trust our football team and I think they can make the right decisions," Hammock said. "We have the culture established, the guys understand the standards and the expectations, the accountability and how you're supposed to act. You can't be afraid to stand alone and lead, and I couldn't be more excited about the six guys that they chose to be captains, because I think they are stand up individuals in the classroom, on the football field in the weight room, in every aspect of their life, and couldn't be more excited about them leading our football team."
The Huskies return to the practice field Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. Practices are open to the public and fans in attendance are asked to remain in the West Stands and not to post any photos or videos of practice. A complete schedule or practices will be posted on NIUHuskies.com next week.
NIU opens the season at Georgia Tech on September 4 before welcoming fans back to the stands at full capacity in Huskie Stadium beginning with the home opener versus Wyoming on September 11. Kickoff for the game is at 12:30 p.m. (CT) and the game will honor First Responders and Health Care Heroes, while also serving as a Welcome Back Fans celebration.
Single game and season tickets, as well as mini-plans and Family Packs, are on sale for the six 2021 NIU Football home games with season ticket prices as low as $85. Purchase a minimum of four tickets for all six games via the Family Pack for just $90 per ticket (in sections B and F) or $66 per ticket (in sections A and G). Three-game or four-game mini-plans are also available with Mission's 3-Game Mini-Plan priced at $79 (including processing), while Victor E.'s 4-Game Mini-Plan is $107. Single game ticket prices vary depending on location and game (Saturday or MACtion). In 2021, the cost of parking in the NIU Convocation Center is included in the price of tickets, making Huskie Football tickets an even greater value than ever before.
To see all the ticket options and prices, and for more information on premium seating, see the Football Ticket Page at NIUHuskies.com. To purchase tickets, call 815-753-PACK (7225) or go to NIUHuskies.com/MyHuskies.
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NIU Football Position Previews: Wide Receivers - Northern Illinois University Athletics
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