Notre Dame’s playoff tantrum may kill the G6’s seat at the table. So why beg for scraps? Let the Power 4 have their semi‑pro league—G6 should drop to FCS, build a 32‑team playoff, and swing bigger than NIU’s Mountain West move.

A foundational offensive line group. A defensive line that will mostly be here in January. A linebacker that can fill some big shoes. Here are five takeways from NIU's 2026 signing class.

Quinn Urwiler’s NIU career wasn’t just tackles, it was tone‑setting. The Batavia grad leaves as a leader who embodied grit, accountability, and culture in a season that tested the Huskies at every turn.

Gary Givens and Evan Malcore were the latest offensive starters for NIU to hit the transfer portal since the season ended. Both announced on Tuesday and joined Josh Holst, DeAree Rogers, and Jake Appleget, among others

Josh Holst, DeAree Rogers and Jake Appleget were among the first NIU football players to announce entering the transfer portal.

Quinn Urwiler forced his second turnover, the NIU offense was surging, and the Huskies seemed headed toward a win in their final Mid-American Conference game. But Kent State surged and won, 35-31 as the Huskies finished 3-9 and 2-6 in MAC play.

The NIU football team led by two scores in the fourth quarter, but their season and run in the MAC came to an end with a 35-31 loss to Kent State on Friday

The NIU football team will wrap up its season Friday at home against Kent State, playing its final MAC after 38 years in the league.

Running back Chavon Wright lines up at quarterback out of the shotgun. He takes the snap. Looks for an opening. It’s a play NIU has run a lot on third and fourth downs in short yardage situations. But it wasn't there when the Huskies needed it most in a loss to WMU on Tuesday.