2015 NIU FOOTBALL RECRUIT BIOS

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1 2015 NIU FOOTBALL RECRUIT BIOS ILLINIOIS RECRUITS Mason Fleury 6-1, 190 Defensive Back Elgin, Ill. (Hampshire) A playmaking safety out of Hampshire High School and Elgin. His senior year, made 68 tackles and forced three fumbles. Also featured as a running back, tallying 517 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. A Fox Valley All-Area choice by the Daily Herald. As a junior, made 79 tackles and recorded three interceptions while helping Hampshire reach the Illinois Class 5A playoffs. Two-time Fox Valley All-Conference selection. Also a letterwinner on the wrestling team. Jake Hlava 6-2, 230 Defensive Lineman Batavia, Ill. (Batavia) An aggressive linebacker in high school slated to play on the defensive line at NIU. Exploded onto the scene as a senior, setting the Batavia school record with 13.5 sacks while helping the team reach the Illinois Class 7A playoffs. A 2014 IHSFCA 7A First Team All-State selection. Selected to the 2014 Tri-Cities All-Area squad by the Daily Herald. Named the 2014 Upstate Eight Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. As a junior, recorded 74 tackles as Batavia won the Illinois Class 6A state title, played at Huskie Stadium. Two-time Kane County Chronicle and Aurora Beacon News All-Conference selection. Quintin Hoosman 5-11, 195 Running Back Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield North) An explosive running back who enjoyed a breakout senior season at Plainfield North. Rushed for 2,426 yards and 32 touchdowns on more than 300 carries in 2014, leading the Tigers to the Illinois Class 7A Playoffs. After his incredible senior campaign, was an Illinois Coaches All-State selection. Named Voyager Media Football Offensive Player of the Year. Also a member of the Plainfield North track & field team. Marcus Jones 5-10, 185 Running Back Oak Lawn, Ill. (Brother Rice) A lightning-quick local product who tallied 1,980 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior. Led Brother Rice to a Chicago Catholic Blue championship and the Illinois Class 8A Playoffs. A 2014 Chicago Tribune All-State selection. Named Chicago Catholic League Blue Co-Offensive MVP. Garnered IHSFCA 8A All-State honors Southtown Star All-Area Second Team choice. Recorded 1,708 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. Corey Kennedy 5-9, 173 Defensive Back Oswego, Ill. (Oswego East) A defensive secondary prospect from nearby Oswego. As a senior, served as team captain and selected as Team MVP while playing on both sides of the ball. Recorded 50 tackles and defended nine passes in 2014; also scored five touchdowns as an offensive utility player. As a junior, made 60 tackles and defended 10 passes. Two-time First Team All-Southwest Prairie Conference selection and Beacon News Second Team All-Area honoree. Steven Lee 6-3, 215 Wide Receiver Champaign, Ill. (Centennial) A pass-catching Illinois product who started playing football as an offensive lineman but transitioned to wide receiver early in high school. As a senior, caught 47 passes for 998 yards and 12 touchdowns and helped Centennial advance to the Illinois Class 6A State Playoffs Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette First Team All-State selection and All- Area choice. A 2014 Second Team All-State selection by the Chicago Tribune. Set the Centennial school record for receiving yards in a career (2,019). Also a stand-out basketball player. Allen Letterer III 6-1, 215 Linebacker DeKalb, Ill. (DeKalb) Hometown product who made 148 tackles as a senior, leading DeKalb to the Big 12 East conference championship and the Illinois Class 6A Playoffs. Selected All-Big 12 East Conference at linebacker as a senior. Was a four-year

2 starter at linebacker for DeKalb, making 382 career tackles and helping the Barbs transform from a winless program as a freshman to a title-winning team as a senior. Also caught seven touchdowns passes as a wide receiver in his career. Three-time All-Northeastern Conference selection at linebacker. Kyle Pugh 6-1, 215 Linebacker Chicago Heights, Ill. (Bloom) Compiled 112 tackles and four fumble recoveries as a senior to lead Bloom to the Illinois Class 8A State Playoffs Southtown Star First Team All-Area selection and was named to the 2014 Chicago Sun Times All-Area Football Team All-Southland Conference player. As a junior, tallied 105 tackles and was named to the 2013 Southtown Star All-Area Team. Daniel Santacaterina 6-2, 200 Quarterback Geneva, Ill. (Geneva Community) The lone quarterback recruit in the Huskies 2015 signing class. As a senior, guided Geneva to the Illinois Class 7A Quarterfinals by passing for 2,443 yards and 23 touchdowns to earn Upstate Eight River Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors Aurora Beacon-News and Kane County Chronicle First Team All-Area selection. As a junior, threw for 2,266 yards and 27 touchdowns in leading Geneva to the Illinois Class 7A First Round Daily Chronicle Tri-Cities All-Area Team and Upstate Eight River All-Conference choice. Also rushed for more than 400 yards and six touchdowns at Geneva. Brother of former NIU linebacker Michael Santacaterina ( ). Spencer Tears 6-2, 175 Wide Receiver Oak Lawn, Ill. (H.L. Richards) As a senior, advanced to the Illinois Class 6A quarterfinals with Richards while catching 27 passes for 468 yards and six touchdowns. Also rushed for 75 yards and two scores Chicago Tribune All-State Special Mention. As a junior, amassed 500 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns while helping Richards advance to the Illinois Class 6A state title game. Also a basketball letterwinner. Scott Topole 6-6, 255 Offensive Lineman Cary, Ill. (Cary-Grove) The starting center for the Illinois Class 7A runners up in Blocked for an offense that averaged 42.8 points per game All-Fox Valley Conference selection as an offensive lineman in the Valley division. Second Team All-Area choice. As a junior, helped Cary-Grove advance to the second round of the Illinois Class 7A Playoffs and posted a 6-1 record in its conference. Started 24 games at center in high school career. MIDWEST RECRUITS Adam Buirge 6-0, 180 Wide Receiver Minneapolis, Minn. (Park Center) Versatile player who saw playing time at several different positions on offense, defense and special teams in high school. A speedy wide receiver with great hands. As a senior, was First Team All-State after catching 46 passes for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping Park Center to five wins, the school s best season in 15 years. Caught 18 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns as a junior. Had four special teams return touchdowns in just 29 attempts over his two years returning kicks. Also finished with 142 tackles, nine interceptions, three fumble recoveries and five defensive touchdowns in his high school career. Josh Corcoran 6-3, 219 Linebacker Lakeville, Minn. (Lakeville South) A physical and athletic inside linebacker, Corcoran was a team captain and playmaker on both sides of the ball at Lakeville South. The son of a NIU alum with family ties in the Chicago area. Helped lead Lakeville South to the playoffs as a junior and senior and was an All-South Suburban Conference selection. Finished with 101 tackles as a senior, 86 as a junior and 64 his sophomore year. Blocked five kicks in his high school career. Scored 10 touchdowns and ran for 530 yards as a fullback his senior year. Also earned letters in track & field at Lakeville South.

3 Daniel Crawford 6-3, 230 Tight End Macomb, Mich. (Dakota) A big pass-catching tight end and red-zone threat. As a senior, caught 29 passes for 272 yards and seven touchdowns and helped Dakota advance to the second round of the Michigan Class 1 Playoffs. Also had 41 tackles and four sacks as a defensive end. Recorded 20 receptions for 212 yards and five touchdowns as a junior as the Cougars advanced to the state quarterfinals. Started his high school career as an offensive lineman before switching to tight end as a sophomore. Also a letterwinner on the Dakota basketball team. Vincent Hughes 6-6, 255 Offensive Lineman Franklin, Wis. (Franklin) Two-time All-Southeast Conference selection at offensive tackle. Chosen First Team All-State by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association in As a senior, helped Franklin go 9-3 and advance to the quarterfinals of the Wisconsin Division 1 State Playoffs. As a junior, played in the Wisconsin Division 1 State Championship Game with Franklin. Joins fellow Franklin product Levon Myers on the Huskie offensive line. Marcus Kelly 6-4, 230 Defensive Lineman Waukesha, Wis. (West) A long and athletic defensive line prospect. Signed with NIU after a decorated career at one of Wisconsin s top high school football programs. As a senior, tallied 99 tackles and nine sacks and played in the Wisconsin Division 2 State Championship Game. Recorded five sacks in one game to set a Waukesha West High School record First Team All-State selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and named First Team All-Area by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. West advanced to the Wisconsin Division 2 State Semifinals his junior season. Made 85 tackles and recorded nine sacks in 2013 and was a Second Team Classic 8 All-Conference selection. Also competed in track & field. Robert Kraklow 6-4, 295 Offensive Lineman Mukwonago, Wis. (Mukwonago) During his senior year, started for the Mukwonago team that advanced to the quarterfinals of the Wisconsin Division 1 Playoffs. Named All-Classic 8 Conference Honorable Mention as an offensive guard in As a junior, helped Mukwonago get to the semifinals of the Wisconsin Division 1 Playoffs. Also lettered in track & field. Max Morris 6-2, 235 Defensive Lineman West Des Moines, Iowa (Dowling Catholic) Joins NIU from one of the premier high school programs in the state of Iowa. Won Iowa Class 4A state titles at Dowling Catholic every year in high school. As a senior, played a huge role in the Dowling Catholic defense that allowed just 13.9 points per game on its way to the state title and made 8.5 tackles in the championship game. During his junior year, Dowling Catholic allowed just 11.1 points per game and went undefeated largely thanks to Morris contributions. Two-time Iowa Newspaper Association Class 4A All-Iowa Team selection. Ryan Roberts 6-6, 240 Tight End Pinckney, Mich. (Northville) Tight end who brings great size and excelled both blocking and receiving in high school. Two-time Kensington Lakes All-Conference Honorable Mention selection as a tight end. Helped Northville reach the District 1 playoffs as a senior, catching 10 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Also a star basketball player. Alex Schlee 6-5, 285 Offensive Lineman Germantown, Wis. (Germantown) A versatile blocker capable of playing multiple positions on the offensive line. As a senior, helped Germantown advance to the second round of the Wisconsin Division 2 Playoffs and blocked for an offense that averaged 38.9 points per game. During his junior year, started for the Germantown team that advanced to the Wisconsin Division I Quarterfinals and put up 34.4 points per contest. Two-time North Shore Conference Honorable Mention selection.

4 Sutton Smith 6-0, 193 Running Back St. Charles, Mo. (Francis Howell) A talented playmaker on both sides of the ball in high school. As a senior at Francis Howell, served as team captain and tallied 2,456 all-purpose yards, more than 2,000 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns as a running back and helped Howell go 11-1 and advance to the Missouri Class 6A state semifinals. Named 2014 St. Louis Dispatch All- Metro Offensive Player of the Year and was the 2014 Large School Player of the Year by local television station KSDK. Gained 1,682 all-purpose yards with more than 1,000 rushing yards and scored 18 total touchdowns during his junior year as Howell went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the Missouri Class 6A playoffs. Two-time All-Gateway South selection. Jordan Steckler 6-5, 293 Offensive Lineman Two Rivers, Wis. (Two Rivers) A three-year starter on both sides of the ball at Two Rivers, helping the Raiders to the Wisconsin Division 3 postseason each year. As a senior, blocked for the Two Rivers offense that averaged 29.4 points per game and was a 2014 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State Honorable Mention selection. During his junior year, helped Two Rivers tally 33.2 points per game and finish with a 7-3 record. Three-time all-conference choice. Also a standout basketball player. Nathan Veloz 6-4, 310 Offensive Lineman Oak Creek, Wis. (Oak Creek) As a senior, was a team captain and helped Oak Creek go 9-2, win a share of the South East Conference title and advance to the WIAA Division 1 Regional Playoffs. Collected First Team All-State recognition from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. Garnered all-area and all-conference honors as a senior as well. Scored a rushing touchdown on his only carry of the season. Three-time All-South East Conference selection. Helped the Knights offense average 29.8 points and yards of total offense per game to lead the conference. Also played baseball at OCHS. Quintin Wynne 6-1, 225 Defensive Lineman St. Louis, Mo. (Christian Brothers) A standout at one of Missouri s top high school football programs. As a senior, recorded 55 tackles and was a defensive captain for the Missouri Class 6 state-championship winning Christian Brothers team. Named to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Super 30. Named to the 2014 Missouri Coaches Class 6 second team All-State squad. Three-time All-Metro Catholic selection, whose team won the league each year. ALABAMA RECRUITS Trayshon Foster 6-1, 190 Defensive Back Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Tuscaloosa Academy) An excellent athlete who saw action at both defensive back and wide receiver during his prep career. As a senior, helped Tuscaloosa Academy to an 8-3 season and an appearance in the playoffs. Was selected to play in the Class of 2K15 AISA All-Star Game. Selected First Team All-State as a wide receiver. His junior year, Tuscaloosa Academy reached the playoffs en route to a 7-4 season. Marquis Howard 6-1, 180 Defensive Back Montgomery, Ala. (Lee) A speedy defensive back whose physicality gives him versatility. Began playing football at age four. Four-year varsity player and three-year starter at Montgomery Lee. Made five career interceptions. First team all-conference and allarea selection as a senior. Totaled 40 tackles, recovered two fumbles, intercepted two passes and blocked a pair of kicks in 2014.

5 ARKANSAS & TEXAS RECRUITS D.J. Brown 5-9, 177 Running Back North Little Rock, Ark. (North Little Rock) An explosive athlete with big-play ability, Brown accumulated more than 5,000 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns during his high school career. Named first-team All-State in Arkansas as a senior after rushing for more 2,000 yards, leading North Little Rock to an 11-2 season, a conference championship and the Arkansas 7A Playoff Semifinals. Ran for 2,140 yards and 15 touchdowns in 11 games as a junior at Little Rock Catholic High School. Cassius Grady 5-10, 175 Defensive Back Arlington, Texas (Arlington) Ball-hawking cornerback and return specialist in high school who will become the third Texas native in the NIU defensive backfield, joining Mayomi Olootu and Jawuan Johnson. A four-year letterwinner at Arlington. Recorded 11 interceptions and 141 tackles during his high school career while also returning kickoffs and punts. Also defended 26 passes in his three years as a starting cornerback. Scored six special teams touchdowns and compiled 989 return yards in just 31 attempts after taking over return duties in his last two years. Helped Arlington reach the Texas 5A Playoffs during his sophomore and junior years. Named to the All-District 3 Team as a defensive back as a junior and senior. Also a letterwinner in basketball in high school. FLORIDA RECRUITS Jeffrey Hill 5-9, 165 Defensive Back Hollywood, Fla. (Miramar) A hard-hitting defensive back from Florida, Hill joins NIU after playing in one of the top high school football leagues in the country. As a senior, served as defensive team captain. Snagged three interceptions and defended 17 passes his final season. Helped Miramar go 7-2 in the regular season and advance to the Florida 8A State Playoffs. Selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Orlando in January Named First Team All-Conference by the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel in As a junior, had four interceptions and defended 21 passes in Miramar s undefeated regular season and Florida 8A State Playoffs quarterfinals appearance. Blocked nine kicks in his high school career. Trequan Smith 6-0, 170 Defensive Back Boynton Beach, Fla. (Boynton Beach) Three-year starter at Boynton Beach who finished with 159 career tackles while playing in one of Florida s premier high school football leagues. As a senior, recorded five interceptions, broke up 13 passes and forced three fumbles. Selected to play in the 2015 Florida vs. Georgia Clash of Scholar-Athletes All-Star Game. During his junior year, made three interceptions and defended 11 passes. Two-time District 15 All-Conference selection. Helped Boynton Beach advance to the Florida Class 6A Playoffs twice.