By the end of the workout, the last of 15 that began on March 19, Hammock was still beaming over the progress made during the spring by his young team.
"It's exciting to see how the team has grown over the last three to four months," Hammock said. "We still have to make another jump this summer, but I'm excited to see where we can take this thing."
Following practice, Hammock presented the spring awards, beginning with the coveted "I Hit for 15" T-shirts given to players that did not miss a rep during the 15 spring practices. A total of 45 players on a roster of just over 80 received the shirts, which Hammock credited in part to their offseason training, which included yoga sessions.
"To give out that many I hit for 15 shirts was great," Hammock said. "Those guys practiced every single day, they never missed a rep, never missed a period and considering the way we practice and the physicality, it's not easy. I think yoga really helped those guys, along with the work they put in the weight room helped. It's been a great spring of development."
Sophomore offensive tackle Marques Cox (Peoria, Ill./Peoria HS) and redshirt freshman defensive tackle James Ester (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) earned the coaching staff's "Hard Hat" awards, given to players who may not receive notoriety outside of the film room, but who consistently come and do their job every day.
"Marques is playing at a high level, he's probably our top offensive lineman right now, and James Ester is not going to fill up the stat line but he keeps the linebackers free and he's going to demand double teams. We expect big things from him," Hammock said.
Three players were presented with Most Improved honors for the spring. Offensively, redshirt freshman wide receiver Fabian McCray (Chicago, Ill./Phillips HS), who had another excellent day Saturday with a pair of touchdown catches, including one on a flea flicker from Ethan Hampton (Elburn, Ill./Aurora Christian HS), was named Most Improved. The defensive Most Improved Award was shared a pair of second year freshmen in cornerback Eric Rogers (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township HS) and defensive tackle Devonte O'Malley (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen HS).
"During spring, you want to see some guys make jumps and on offense, it was Fabian. He consistently made plays all spring, including today, he's catching the ball better, he can do everything a wide receiver needs, he just had to focus which he's done," Hammock said. "Eric Rogers is a corner with great ball skills, change of direction speed and he's had a phenomenal spring. Devonte O'Malley is a guy we moved inside to the three technique and he's going to be a dominant player, a force to be reckoned with."
Two more "Covid" freshmen, who each played in all six games in 2020, were named the Most Valuable Players of 2021 spring practices as tailback Harrison Waylee (Johnston, Iowa/Urbandale HS) earned the honor for the Huskie offense, while safety Devin Lafayette (Brunswick, Ga./Brunswick HS) was named defensive MVP.
"Harrison Waylee, I think he broke a 70-yard run every day," Hammock said. "He's going to be an explosive and dynamic runner for this team; I spoke to [NIU Hall of Fame running back] Garrett Wolfe about him and said, come mentor this young man. Defensively, Devin Lafayette started six games as a true freshman and he has made a big, big jump this spring. I couldn't be more excited about his future and what he can do for us on defense."
After rain dampened last week's Huskie Spring Showcase, that was "won" by the defense, the NIU offense was on full display in picture perfect conditions Saturday, beginning with a long run for a touchdown by Waylee on the first play from scrimmage, one of several highlight runs for the second-year freshman.
While the defense came up with several big plays late in the scrimmage, including a pass break up by Myles McGee (Canton, Ga./Sequoyah HS) on a blitz play and an interception by safety Josh Earl (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley HS), Hammock wasn't sure it was enough to earn the win.
"Today's practice was excellent," Hammock said. "Guys really competed on both sides of the ball. We saw a lot of explosive plays on offense and the defense came back at the end and made a couple of plays. The defense thinks they came back and stole the day but I don't think so."
Overall, Hammock said he and the coaching staff got everything they wanted out of spring ball and more.
"To have the ability to practice 15 times, still as we're dealing with this pandemic, I thought our guys did a phenomenal job," Hammock said. "We needed to practice. We're a young football team that wants to make a jump and we needed every practice and to have guys committed to being out here every day was big for us and we got better for it."
NIU Football season tickets renewals are now available for 2019 or 2020 season ticket members. Returning season ticket members can renew their season tickets online at NIUHuskies.com/MyHuskies or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) Monday through Friday during business hours. The ticket office can also be reached via email at huskiestickets@niu.edu.
NIU anticipates being able to accommodate all season ticket members for games at Huskie Stadium next fall. On the West Side, reserved seats in sections A, B, F and G are $132 for all six games with senior citizens (62+), NIU Faculty/Staff, NIU Alumni Association and Varsity Club members will pay $132 for season tickets in any non-premium area on the West Side. For all others, reserved seats in sections C, D and E on the West Side are $150. Benchback and chairback seats in sections C, D and E on the West Side are $150 and require a per seat payment.
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Huskies Close Out "Excellent" Spring - Northern Illinois University Athletics
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