Feb. 05--A day after unveiling a 2016 signing class that recruiting services ranked 11th in the Mid-American Conference, Northern Illinois added a potential key piece for its 2017 team Thursday with the transfer of dual-threat quarterback Seth Collins from Oregon State.
Collins, who announced last month he would seek a transfer, will sit out next season and redshirt. He will have three seasons of eligibility for the Huskies.
The San Diego native started the Beavers' first seven games last season as a true freshman before missing four games with a hyperextended left knee. He returned for the season finale against Oregon in a multidimensional role, which coaches planned to keep him in, according to the Oregonian.
Collins finished the season with 936 yards on 52.2 percent passing with six touchdowns and four interceptions, and he rushed for 580 yards and eight touchdowns, including three against Oregon.
He will likely compete for the starting quarterback job in 2017. Drew Hare, who started most of the last two seasons before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles in November, will be a senior in 2016.
