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Honestly, trying to nail down a college football roster in the middle of January feels a bit like trying to catch a greased pig. It's slippery. You think you’ve got a handle on the two-deep, and then—boom—three guys hit the transfer portal, and your projected starting safety is suddenly wearing different colors in a different time zone. But if you’re looking at the niu football depth chart as we head into the 2026 season, the landscape is shifting in a way we haven't seen in decades.
Northern Illinois isn't just swapping out a few starters this time. They are moving into the Mountain West Conference. That’s a massive jump in competition and travel, and head coach Thomas Hammock has been busy overhaulng the engine while the car is still moving.
The Quarterback Room is a Mess (In a Good Way)
Most fans want to know one thing: Who's taking the first snap? Last year was a roller coaster. You had Josh Holst, the hometown kid from Marengo, winning the Potato Bowl MVP and then getting benched for a true freshman. Then he came back. It was chaotic.
For 2026, the niu football depth chart at quarterback is basically a three-way street. Jalen Macon is the elder statesman here. He's a massive human being—6-foot-5, 230-ish pounds—and while he struggled with consistency in 2025 (that Kent State game was rough), his ability to run the ball keeps him in the hunt. But don't sleep on Brady Davidson. Hammock clearly loves the kid's ceiling, and he showed flashes of being "the guy" during his freshman campaign.
Then there’s the wildcard: Bryshawn Brown. He’s a 6-foot-6 freshman coming in from Cincinnati with a massive arm. In the current era of "play the best guy regardless of age," Brown is going to push the veterans from day one. If Holst doesn't find that 2024 bowl-game magic again, this could quickly become a youth movement.
The Ground Game Identity
NIU is always going to run the ball. It’s in their DNA. "The Hard Way" isn't just a hashtag; it's a way of life in DeKalb.
- Chavon Wright: He’s the bell cow. After that 185-yard explosion against Kent State to end last season, he’s the undisputed RB1.
- Telly Johnson: The perfect change-of-pace back. He’s got that low center of gravity that makes him a nightmare to tackle in the fourth quarter.
- Jaiduan Cranford: A true freshman who rushed for 20 touchdowns in Illinois high school ball last year. He’s probably the most explosive athlete in the room.
Rebuilding the No-Fly Zone
The secondary is where things get really interesting—and a little scary—for Huskie fans. Losing Nate Valcarcel to the NFL (he's with the Rams now) left a giant hole in the heart of the defense.
Jacob Finley is the guy everyone is looking at to lead this group. He started the last five games of '25 and showed he can hold down an island. But look at the transfer portal additions if you want to see where this defense is actually headed. Hammock went out and grabbed Avery Jones Jr. from Lafayette and Marshall Washington Jr. from LIU.
Washington is a big get. He started 19 games out East and has the length (6-foot-2) that Mountain West receivers are going to struggle with. The nickel spot is also up for grabs. Taylor Powell looked good in spots last year, but Kyon Conyers (another LIU transfer) was brought in specifically to compete for that starting role.
The Trench Warfare
You can't talk about the niu football depth chart without mentioning the offensive line. It’s the most underrated part of the team. Evan Malcore and Abiathar Curry are the anchors on the left side. These guys have seen a lot of snaps.
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The concern is depth. Behind the starters, it's a lot of redshirt freshmen like Ben Gustafson and Logan Gross. If the injury bug hits the O-line, NIU is going to have to rely on guys who haven't seen meaningful college snaps. That’s a dangerous game to play when you’re facing Mountain West defensive fronts that are significantly larger than what they saw in the MAC.
The Special Teams Factor
Don’t overlook the kicking game. Andrew Glass is gone. That’s years of reliable scoring out the window.
The Huskies brought in Ryan Short from Butler to fill the void. Short was a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award and hit 15 of 16 field goals last year. In close games—which NIU seems to play every single week—having a kicker who doesn't blink is the difference between a bowl trip and sitting at home in December.
Why This Depth Chart Matters More Than Usual
Moving to the Mountain West changes the math. You aren't just playing for a MAC title anymore; you're playing for a potential spot in a revolving door of West Coast matchups. The travel alone requires a deeper roster. You need "fresh legs" in October when you've just flown back from a late-night game in Boise.
| Position Group | Outlook | Key Name to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Competitive | Brady Davidson |
| Running Back | Strong | Chavon Wright |
| Wide Receiver | Developing | DeAree Rogers |
| Defensive Line | Questionable | James Bradley |
| Secondary | New Look | Jacob Finley |
The "Sleeper" Names
Watch out for James Bradley on the defensive line. He’s a transfer from Mississippi Valley State who stands 6-foot-5. He’s raw, sure. But his wingspan is ridiculous. If the coaching staff can put another 15 pounds of muscle on him by August, he’s going to be a problem for opposing tackles.
Also, keep an eye on DeAree Rogers at wideout. He had a 100-yard game against Ohio last year and seems to have a real chemistry with Josh Holst. In an offense that sometimes struggles to find a vertical threat, Rogers is the one guy who can actually take the top off a defense.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the Huskies this year, here’s how to actually use this information. First, watch the spring game closely. That quarterback battle isn't going to be decided in August; it’s being won right now in the film room.
Second, pay attention to the "Transfer Portal Pulse." The niu football depth chart you see today is a draft. Hammock has shown he will bring in late additions if a starter-quality player becomes available in May.
Lastly, look at the defensive rotations. In the 4-2-5 scheme NIU runs, the "sixth" defensive back (the nickel) is essentially a starter. If Taylor Powell or Kyon Conyers can't lock that down, the whole defensive structure starts to lean.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the offensive line. That is the one area where they cannot afford a single major loss. If Malcore or Curry go down, the run game—and the entire offensive identity—might stall out before the conference schedule even begins.