Hustle Belt - 2015 Northern Illinois Football RecruitingMAC Football, MAC Basketball, MAC Recruiting, MAC Baseball and all of the other #MACtion hijinks in between - hustlebeltblog@gmail.comhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50387/hustle-fav.png2015-02-04T15:00:52-05:00http://www.hustlebelt.com/rss/stream/54204172015-02-04T15:00:52-05:002015-02-04T15:00:52-05:002015 Northern Illinois Football Recruiting: Rod Carey press conference<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/id/2336777/size/condensed/">2015 Northern Illinois Football Recruiting: Rod Carey press&nbsp;conference</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>ESPN3's National Signing Day special is about to begin! Tune in here.</p></p></div>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2015/2/4/7979811/2015-northern-illinois-football-recruiting-rod-carey-press-conferenceMike Karpinski2015-02-04T14:07:51-05:002015-02-04T14:07:51-05:00NIU signs 30 in the 2015 class
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EkExza3RqRpSD8_MI6Vz4a3pFJw=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45622586/usa-today-8251261.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Huskies add 30 recruits to the program in their 2015 recruiting class.</p> <p><a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc1e3d; font-weight: bold; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football-recruiting/2015/2/1/7951805/2015-mac-mid-american-conference-recruiting-national-signing-day-football-coverage-rankings-news" target="_blank"><img style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" width="100%" src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3359652/MAC-crootin-signing-day-2105-banner.0.png"></a></p>
<p>After winning another MAC championship, Northern Illinois signed another recruiting class loaded with talent. Despite losing multiple recruits late in the process, the Huskies class remains strong. On Wednesday afternoon, it was officially announced that the Huskies signed 30 recruits in their 2015 class.</p>
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<script src="http://www.kryogenix.org/code/browser/sorttable/sorttable.js"></script>
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<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" width="100%" class="sortable">
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<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left">Player</th> <th align="center">Hometown (School)</th> <th align="center">Pos</th> <th align="center">Rating</th> <th align="center">HT/WT</th> <th align="center">Highlights</th>
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<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Jeffrey Hill Jr.</td>
<td align="center">Miramar, FL (Miramar)</td>
<td align="center">DB</td>
<td align="center">2*</td>
<td align="center">5-8/ 165</td>
<td align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/967447/highlights/178043377">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Daniel Crawford</td>
<td align="center">Macomb, MI (Dakota)</td>
<td align="center">TE/DE</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-3/ 230</td>
<td align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1693973/highlights/228824376">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Sutton Smith</td>
<td align="center">Saint Charles, MO (Francis Howell)</td>
<td align="center">ATH</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-0/ 193</td>
<td align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2679726/highlights/161064383">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Ryan Roberts</td>
<td align="center">Northville, MI (Northville)</td>
<td align="center">TE/DE</td>
<td align="center">2*</td>
<td align="center">6-6/ 240</td>
<td align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1643839/highlights/228773377">Yes</a></td>
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<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Daniel Santacaterina</td>
<td align="center">Geneva, IL (Geneva)</td>
<td align="center">QB</td>
<td align="center">2*</td>
<td align="center">6-2/ 200</td>
<td align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1581302/highlights/218810377">Yes</a></td>
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<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">D.J. Brown</td>
<td align="center">Little Rock, Arkansas (North Little Rock)</td>
<td align="center">RB</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">5-9/ 177</td>
<td align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1300228/highlights/148917375">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Vincent Hughes</td>
<td align="center">Franklin, WI (Franklin)</td>
<td align="center">OT</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-6/ 255</td>
<td align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3393998/highlights/210066398">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Steven Lee</td>
<td align="center">Champaign, IL (Centennial)</td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-3/ 215</td>
<td align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3382300/highlights/192132376">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Cassius Grady</td>
<td align="center">Arlington, TX (Arlington)</td>
<td align="center">DB</td>
<td align="center">2*</td>
<td align="center">5-10/ 175</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1613581/highlights/202378376" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Max Morris</td>
<td align="center">West Des Moines, Iowa (Dowling)</td>
<td align="center">DE</td>
<td align="center">2*</td>
<td align="center">6-2/ 235</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2616823/highlights/220495381" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Marcus Kelley</td>
<td align="center">Waukesha, WI (West)</td>
<td align="center">DE</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-4/ 230</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/780287/highlights/160557375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Josh Corcoran</td>
<td align="center">Lakeville, MN (Lakeville South)</td>
<td align="center">LB</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-3/ 219</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1880886/highlights/171536381" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Marcus Jones</td>
<td align="center">Oak Lawn, IL (Brother Rice)</td>
<td align="center">RB/WR</td>
<td align="center">2*</td>
<td align="center">5-10/ 185</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1524427/highlights/228911375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left">Adam Buirge</td>
<td align="center">Minneapolis, MN (Park Center)</td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">2*</td>
<td align="center">6-0/ 180</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2015594/highlights/163619377" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Nathan Veloz</td>
<td align="center">Oak Creek, WI (Oak Creek)</td>
<td align="center">OG</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-4/ 310</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/516904/highlights/28811375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Jordan Steckler</td>
<td align="center">Two River, WI (Two Rivers)</td>
<td align="center">OT</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-5/ 293</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1154479/highlights/195027375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Kyle Pugh</td>
<td align="center">Chicago Heights, IL (Bloom)</td>
<td align="center">LB</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-1/ 215</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2842036/highlights/199521395" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Quintin Wynne</td>
<td align="center">St. Louis, MO (Christian Brothers)</td>
<td align="center">DE</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-2/ 225</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/564234/highlights/158396375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Spencer Tears</td>
<td align="center">Oak Lawn, IL (Richards)</td>
<td align="center">WR</td>
<td align="center">3*</td>
<td align="center">6-2/ 175</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2232097/highlights/177471375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Jake Hlava</td>
<td align="center">Batavia, IL (Batavia)</td>
<td align="center">OLB</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-1/ 210</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/549138/highlights/203886377" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<td align="left">Allen Letterer</td>
<td align="center">DeKalb, IL (DeKalb)</td>
<td align="center">LB</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-1/ 215</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1125202/highlights/161789375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Trayshon Foster</td>
<td align="center">Tuscaloosa, AL (Tuscaloosa Academy</td>
<td align="center">S</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-1/ 180</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1880014/highlights/200850375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Trequan Smith</td>
<td align="center">Boynton Beach, FL (Boynton Beach)</td>
<td align="center">S</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">5-11/ 164</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1365050/highlights/181285377" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Mason Fleury</td>
<td align="center">Elgin, IL (Hampshire)</td>
<td align="center">LB</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-2 / 190</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1711594/highlights/221760375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Quintin Hoosman</td>
<td align="center">Plainfield, IL (Plainfield)</td>
<td align="center">RB</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">5-11/ 195</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2995521/highlights/181643375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Marquis Howard</td>
<td align="center">Montgomery, AL (Lee)</td>
<td align="center">DB</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-1/ 180</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2235772/highlights/107755405" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Corey Kennedy</td>
<td align="center">Oswego, IL (Oswego East)</td>
<td align="center">DB</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">5-9/ 163</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1911487/highlights/230163377" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Robert Kraklow</td>
<td align="center">Mukwonaga, WI (Mukwonaga)</td>
<td align="center">OL</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-4/ 295</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1400638/highlights/192391378" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Alex Schlee</td>
<td align="center">Germantown, WI (Germantown)</td>
<td align="center">OL</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-5/ 285</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1335467/highlights/178614375" target="_blank">Yes</a></td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Scott Topole</td>
<td align="center">Cary, IL (Cary-Grove)</td>
<td align="center">OL</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">6-5/ 255</td>
<td align="center">
<p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/486887/highlights/215277376" target="_blank">Yes</a></p>
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<p> </p>
<p>It was nice to see the Huskies continue their Wisconsin pipeline when recruiting offensive linemen. NIU was able to haul two 3-star linemen in <b>Nathan Veloz</b> and <b>Vince Hughes</b> as well as 2-star <b>Jordan Steckler</b>. The Huskies were able to hold off a late Wisconsin offer extended to the talented Hughes. Shortly after receiving the offer, Hughes reaffirmed his commitment to NIU.</p>
<p>NIU recruited the state of Illinois extremely well this year as two of their top recruits this year are from the Land of Lincoln. <b>Spencer Tears</b>, one-time Nebraska commit, chose the Huskies over reported offers from Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Indiana, Louisville, Ohio, Purdue, Syracuse, Toledo, and Western Michigan. At 6-foot-2, Tears has the height and talent to quickly become one of Drew Hare's new favorite targets. The other top recruit from Illinois is linebacker <b>Kyle Pugh</b>. Pugh is an all-around player on defense and could help replace some of Jamaal Bass's production immediately upon his arrival in DeKalb. Pugh and fellow signee <b>Josh Corcoran</b> look to have bright futures at linebacker with the Huskies.</p>
<p>One of my favorite players in this class is <b>Marcus Jones</b>. At 5-foot-10 185 pounds, he will need to bulk up a little but he is an explosive player who will open up the coaching staff's playbook immensely. Jones is capable of playing both running back and wide receiver at the next level and will probably do a little bit of both as a Huskie.</p>
<p>Despite the departure of Cam Stingily, NIU still has a group of running backs with significant game experience. Now Rod Carey adds 3-star running back <b>D.J. Brown </b>to the fold. Brown chose the Huskies over offers from Arkansas State, Illinois, Memphis, and Southern Miss. Arkansas State made a late surge for Brown as he was rumored to have been on campus last weekend, however Brown ultimately decided to stick with the Huskies in the end.</p>
<p>Overall, the Huskies have put together another solid recruiting class. Rod Carey was able to find a nice combination of highly touted recruits to go along with the under-the-radar recruits that NIU has had so much success with in the past.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football-recruiting/2015/2/4/7974765/northern-illinois-huskies-football-recruiting-national-signing-day-2015-newsMike Karpinski2015-02-02T21:16:21-05:002015-02-02T21:16:21-05:002015 Northern Illinois Football Recruiting: S/WR Trayshon Foster commits to the Huskies<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/_TrayDay7/status/562408701727113216">2015 Northern Illinois Football Recruiting: S/WR Trayshon Foster commits to the&nbsp;Huskies</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Trayshon Foster chose the Huskies over reported offers from Air Force and South Alabama. Foster will most likely play safety at the college level and is rated 2-stars by Rivals.com. Check out Foster's highlights <a href="http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1880014/highlights/200850375" target="new">here</a></p></p></div>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2015/2/2/7968103/2015-northern-illinois-football-recruiting-s-wr-trayshon-fosterMike Karpinski2015-01-28T14:11:17-05:002015-01-28T14:11:17-05:00Akron flips 3-star LB Joe Riggins from NIU
<figure>
<img alt="Coach Mounds and Joe Riggins during his official visit. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KdUB4yDqH2CglrDjVrmkM1BpFA8=/0x57:508x396/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45570284/photo__1_.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Coach Mounds and Joe Riggins during his official visit. </figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Joe Riggins has decided to de-commit from NIU and will now attend Akron. </p> <p><a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc1e3d; font-weight: bold; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football-recruiting" target="_blank"><img style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" width="100%" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4401295/MAC-Recruiting-football-banner.png"></a></p>
<p>About three weeks ago, linebacker Joe Riggins announced that he was going to attend Northern Illinois to play his college football. Joe has since changed his mind for various reasons and has now decided that he will attend Akron.</p>
<div class="sidebar" style="text-align: center;">
<p><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4400687/crootin-profile.png"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Joe Riggins</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Fort Lauderdale, Florida</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Status:</b> Verbally committed to Akron</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Commitment Date: </b>1/28/2015</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Height: </b>6'2"</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Weight: </b>205</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Position(s): </b>LB</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>High School: </b>Cardinal Gibbons</p>
<p style="text-aliign: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MAC_Crootin" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @MAC_Crootin</a></p>
</div>
<p>Joe told <i>HustleBelt</i> in a statement that he "had a change of heart and I am going to de-commit from NIU and commit to the University of Akron."</p>
<p>There's one man who Akron fans can thank for Riggins' commitment to the Zips: defensive backs coach Otis Mounds.</p>
<p>"Coach Mounds is like an uncle to me. My dad and his family are real close, they used to coach together for 3 years at a local high school here in Florida. Coach Mounds also coached my brother and played high school football with my dad." Riggins added that Mounds is also a former track coach of his.</p>
<p>However, coach Mounds is not the only coach that Riggins has a connection with as he says that running backs coach Eric Hickson is also a close family friend.</p>
<p>"So to me it's going to feel like I am home away from home, and if you look at their coaching staff, they have a lot of experience. All of our families grew up together, so I already have a close knit relationship with those coaches."</p>
<p>As far as Riggins' goals while at Akron, he has quite a few. He says that he wants to get a degree, but is unsure of what he'll major in. Riggins says that he wants to play "good football", and play right away.</p>
<p>As far as what Riggins is looking forward to the most when he gets to Akron: spending time with the coaching staff.</p>
<p>"I'm very excited to play for a head coach like Terry Bowden whose resume speaks for itself. He will continue to recruit Florida kids and he will continue his winning success at the University of Akron. Also, finally getting the chance to be coached by someone I've known since I was 7 years old, coach Otis Mounds."</p>
<p>Akron is recruiting Riggins as a strong safety, which is different than what NIU was projecting him at. Joe says that he enjoys playing strong safety more, however he is open to playing whichever one the coaches decide is best for him and the team.</p>
<p>Akron was actually Joe's first official visit back in October during the football season. At that time, Riggins did not hold an offer however he knew he was interested in Akron and he knew the Zips coaching staff was interested in him as well.</p>
<p>Riggins is ultimately choosing Akron over offers from NIU, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Utah State, Hawaii, and Ohio.</p>
<p>After a long process, it seems that Joe Riggins has found a perfect fit at the University of Akron. Look for him to compete for playing time immediately upon his arrival on campus.</p>
<p>Excited about Joe's future as a Zip? Check out his highlights courtesy of Hudl below:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2213894/highlights/145525375" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football-recruiting/2015/1/28/7929115/2015-akron-football-recruiting-3-star-lb-joe-riggins-talks-commitmentMike Karpinski2015-01-20T22:21:30-05:002015-01-20T22:21:30-05:00QB/ATH Alec Ingold de-commits from NIU
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<p>This time of year is always an exciting time for many recruits across the country. As more kids commit and schools readjust their targets to fill out their respective classes, it seems that every year recruits who are committed to MAC schools get offered by P5 programs.</p>
<p>This trend has held up this year as we have seen a flurry of decommitments lately as well as many other get late offers. NIU commit, QB Alec Ingold, is the most recent to receive an offer from a Power 5 program. Ingold announced on Twitter that he was offered by Wisconsin.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Just got offered by the University Wisconsin <a href="http://t.co/L2jzdgw24Q">pic.twitter.com/L2jzdgw24Q</a></p>
— Alec Ingold (@ingynation) <a href="https://twitter.com/ingynation/status/556962966298705920">January 18, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Paul Chryst, new head coach for the Badgers, offered Ingold as an athlete while he was at Pittsburgh. The Badgers offered Ingold as a linebacker/athlete.</p>
<p>After contemplating for a few days, Ingold decided that he will attend Wisconsin instead of NIU.</p>
<p>Alec possesses great speed and would be an ideal fit at quarterback for the Huskies. Alec was selected state player of the year in Wisconsin after throwing for over 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns.</p>
<p>Although this is a big blow to NIU's class, the Huskies still have assembled a talented recruiting class. The Huskies still have time to add to this class before Signing Day and have another quarterback committed right now, Daniel Santacanteria.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/niu-huskies/2015/1/20/7863965/2015-northern-illinois-football-recruiting-qb-ath-alec-ingold-deMike Karpinski2015-01-08T12:59:28-05:002015-01-08T12:59:28-05:003-star LB chooses NIU, excited to see snow
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<p>NIU landed their 3rd commitment from the Sunshine State on Thursday morning when 3-star recruit Joe Riggins committed to the Huskies.</p>
<p>Riggins will bring some versatility to the Huskies as he played both linebacker and safety at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Florida. Expect Riggins to play linebacker at NIU, although he is capable of playing safety at the next level as well.</p>
<p>Riggins tells us he received an offer from the Huskies on Thursday morning and committed on the spot. Riggins chose the Huskies over reported offers from Akron, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Hawaii, Ohio, and Utah State.</p>
<p>Shortly after his commitment, Hustle Belt caught up with Joe to find out why he chose the Huskies.</p>
<p>"Well I have a good relationship with coach Thaddeus Ward. I also have a couple friends down there it seems as though they're moving in the right direction. I have not visited the campus yet but that's coming up soon and I think with them coaching me and my ability I will be able to play right away."</p>
<p>Joe also talked about some of the goals he wants to accomplish while he's at NIU.</p>
<p>"First I want to get a degree in something, I'm just not sure of what yet. Also, I want to help the team continue its winning tradition. On top of that I have never been outside the state of Florida so I'm looking forward to meeting some new people and hopefully one day seeing some snow!"</p>
<p>Riggins is NIU's 22nd commitment of an impressive 2015 recruiting class. Excited about the Huskies adding another talented recruit from Florida? Check out Joe's highlights via Hudl below:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2213894/highlights/145525375"></iframe></p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/niu-huskies/2015/1/8/7514749/2015-northern-illinois-football-recruiting-lb-joe-riggins-talksMike Karpinski2015-01-07T14:16:02-05:002015-01-07T14:16:02-05:00NIU commit WR Spencer Tears featured by Scout<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://recruiting.scout.com/story/1499882">NIU commit WR Spencer Tears featured by&nbsp;Scout</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>3-star WR Spencer Tears is the most recent recruit to be featured in the "Scout Spotlight".</p></p></div>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2015/1/7/7509441/niu-commit-wr-spencer-tears-featured-by-scoutMike Karpinski2014-12-14T15:25:44-05:002014-12-14T15:25:44-05:00NIU Lands 3-Star WR Spencer Tears
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<p>NIU's recruiting class received a huge boost on Sunday afternoon when 3-star WR Spencer Tears committed to NIU. This is the 22nd commit to verbally commit to NIU in what is turning out to be another strong recruiting class for Rod Carey.</p>
<p>Tears was committed to Nebraska at one time, however he announced on Sunday afternoon that he would play his collegiate career at NIU:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>After talking to my family and praying about my decision I'm Committing to NIU <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHuskies?src=hash">#GoHuskies</a> ⚫️ <a href="http://t.co/vyaPZYtVG7">pic.twitter.com/vyaPZYtVG7</a></p>
— #FreeRichyMoe (@Im_Uno1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Im_Uno1/status/544204284133642241">December 14, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Spencer decided to commit to NIU while on his official visit this weekend. He chose the Huskies over offers from Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Indiana, Louisville, Nebraska, Ohio, Purdue, Syracuse, Toledo, and Western Michigan.</p>
<p>Shortly after his commitment, we caught up with Spencer to see why he chose NIU:</p>
<p>"NIU is a brotherhood and they treated me like family as soon as I touched down on campus. I loved that. I am most looking forward to playing close to home and putting on for my home state."</p>
<p>Tears is an explosive player who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. At 6-foot-2 175 pounds, Tears will cause many problems for opposing MAC cornerbacks.</p>
<p>Interested in seeing Spencer in action? Check out Spencer's highlights courtesy of Hudl below:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" src="//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/2232097/highlights/177471375"></iframe></p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/niu-huskies/2014/12/14/7390923/2015-northern-illinois-football-recruiting-wr-spencer-tears-commitsMike Karpinski