NIU Huskies finish spring practices; QB battle to continue into August

DEKALB, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Northern Illinois University football team capped off spring practices Saturday before several hundred fans with its “Spring Showcase” event.

The vast majority of the two-hour session was 11-on-11 work featuring the first unit offense against the number one defense, and so on. It was a great opportunity for head coach Thomas Hammock and his assistants to see the Huskies’ quarterbacks in game-type situations. The starting quarterback job is wide open going into next season.

The top three candidates appear to be returning redshirt junior Ethan Hampton , redshirt junior Jalen Macon who transferred in from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and redshirt freshman Josh Holst from Marengo High School. Holst put together one long touchdown drive capped off by two terrific catches by Andrew McElroy. The second one was a touchdown catch at the back of the endzone. McElroy is a senior transfer from St. Thomas and from Bolingbrook.

The battle for the QB1 job will extend well into August, but for now Hammock is encouraged by the potential of that group of players.

“I’m very pleased. I think we’ve got three guys we can win with. It’s a matter of finding the guy that gives us the best chance to win every single game we play. That’s what we’re trying to sort through.”

The biggest defensive highlight of the “Spring Showcase” was a pick-six by senior safety Jashon Prophete that was returned almost the entire length of the field during red zone drills.

Hammock says this is the most athletic team he’s had at NIU, and probably the deepest team. The Huskies expect to contend for a MAC Championship this fall, and their non-conference schedule includes games at Notre Dame and at North Carolina State.

For more on the “Spring Showcase” watch the video player above.

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