Feb. 05--Speed and size are qualities coveted by every college football program. Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey feels his staff was able to add a sampling of those key attributes with the 30-player recruiting class it signed Wednesday.
"We are extremely excited about this class," Carey said. "I will know a lot more about this class in three years than I do right now. And that is the true litmus test of a recruiting class.
"We have poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this class, and we feel great about where we're at right now."
Among the speedy signees is Richards wide receiver Spencer Tears, who will compete for the role Da'Ron Brown held.
Jordan Steckler, a 6-foot-5, 293-pound offensive lineman from Two Rivers, Wis., continues the Huskies' tradition of landing big bodies from Wisconsin.
NIU has won three of the last four Mid-American Conference championships and has played in seven straight bowl games. But standing pat means falling behind.
"Recruiting is the lifeblood. It's not a stop, it's not an event, it is not a milestone. It's the lifeblood of your football program," Carey said. "It flows through it. What it is supposed to do is get results. And the way that we have recruited has certainly produced results."
The Huskies hope to maintain their status as the state's most successful FBS program by augmenting a squad that finished 11-3 last season. Other notable signees include Minneapolis wide receiver Adam Buirge, DeKalb linebacker Allen Letterer III, Batavia defensive end Jake Hlava and Geneva quarterback Daniel Santacaterina.
"If you look at the position breakdown, you'll see (four) running backs, (three) wide receivers and (six) defensive backs," Carey said. "And that is all speaking to the speed which we are trying to improve on our team. And I don't say that thinking that we're slow. But if you're standing still, you are moving backward. So we've got to get moving forward."
NIU was the fifth-youngest team in the country last season, yet seamlessly sustained its winning ways after losing key players such as Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch and safety Jimmie Ward, a first-round draft pick of the 49ers.
"It's a results businessm, and our team understands that and our coaches understand that," Carey said.
Asked if he expects his recruits to contribute immediately, Carey said: "If you look at history as a predictor for the future, then, yeah, you would have to say you are a little surprised if nobody plays out of this class. Somebody always plays."
The Huskies attracted recruits from 10 states, including 11 from Illinois and six from Wisconsin. They signed two apiece from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and Missouri and one each from Arkansas, Iowa and Texas.
Carey is pleased NIU's allure continues to expand.
"Obviously, the crux of our recruiting is always going to be in the Midwest, starting in Illinois," Carey said. "As our national brand grows, you can see that reflected in our recruiting with 10 states represented."
fmitchell@tribpub.com
Twitter @kicker34
Huskies hope winning tradition continues
