NIU Football Position Preview: The Wide Receivers - NIU Athletics (2024)

Rudolph Leads Pack that Includes Six Newcomers

Football | August 20

DeKalb, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University football took to the field for day 18 of fall camp. The Huskies ran through a lot of 11-on-11 and situational football in Tuesday's practice which included end of game situations and third downs.

"I thought practice was excellent," head coach Thomas Hammock said. "Today's practice was an improvement practice for us. So, we worked on some things that have caused us some problems throughout the year and to get some film on it to teach and correct. The guys handled it well, and we will continue with that tomorrow before heading into gameplan on Friday."

The Huskies also broke down into smaller groups, where the receivers went head-to-head with the cornerbacks.

Redshirt senior Trayvon Rudolph who had 531 yards to lead the Huskies in 2023, highlighted the receiver's group in Tuesday's practice. Rudolph had multiple long receptions as he put his explosive ability on display.

"Rudolph has stepped in and become the leader with Kasper (Rutkiewicz) graduating," wide receivers coach Joseph Hawkins said." "We will go as far as he takes us. As long as he is locked in, the group is gravitating toward him."

In the head-to-head session throughput practice multiple Huskie receivers were able to make big plays and get open for the quarterbacks.

"The receivers have been doing a great job of working on the details of performance," Hawkins said. "That is something we have really been stressing and our guys have started to capitalize on those opportunities. We have a deep group, and the guys are
competing. We're ready for the season."

NIU's receiving corps currently numbers 13 players. Nearly half of the receivers – six – are freshmen, with four true freshmen. Six Huskies, led by Rudolph, saw playing time last season.

Sophom*ore Keyshaun Pipkin played in five games in 2023 which included the Camellia Bowl. DeKalb native Dane Pardridge made 11 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown as a sophom*ore in 2023 and took a punt return back for a touchdown on special teams. As a true freshman in 2023, Kyle Thomas played in three games and made his mark with a juggling 45-yard catch in the Huskies' bowl clinching win at Kent State. Jalen Johnson is a redshirt sophom*ore who played 10 games in 2023 and made 17 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown. Eastern Illinois transfer Cam Thompson played in the final 10 games of 2023 and made two catches.

NIU added two transfers – each of whom led their teams in receiving a year ago - to the receiving room in 2024.

A junior who transferred from Arkansas Pine Bluff, Kenji Lewis led the Golden Lions in yards with 429 last season. St. Thomas transfer Andrew McElroy led the Tommies in receiving last season with 525 yards.
Christopher Gore redshirted with the Huskies last season and didn't see the field.

Jamari McIvory, George Dimopoulos, La'Don Bryant and Rickey Taylor Jr are the four true freshman newcomers for the Huskies in 2024.

"I really like the receivers group, the experienced and the new guys have done a good job being consistent in knowing their routes, winning one-on-one matchups and catching the football," Hammock said. "I feel like we have eight guys we can win with and hopefully we can narrow that down to a five-man rotation that can know all the plays and execute at a high level."

Rudolph wants to help lead the group and show the newcomers how to improve.

"Being an older guy now, it's like everyone is looking up at me and I try to lead as well as I can," Rudolph said. "If they need help with plays or have questions on how to take their game to the next level, I'm here to help them out."

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