First-year coach Jerry Kill didn't get a chance to fully evaluate his team because of a plethora of injuries. About 20 players missed all or a portion of NIU's 15 spring practices, forcing Kill to try players at different positions.

Several key players, including defensive end Larry English, quarterback Dan Nicholson plus receivers Matt Simon and Britt Davis all missed spring practice.

Kill won't release a two-deep roster until the fall because of all the injuries, and he wants to push the returnees and newcomers. The influx of injuries opened the door for numerous players to get some extra reps in practice.

Freshmen quarterbacks Chandler Harnish and DeMarcus Grady benefited from the extra reps. Harnish impressed the coaching staff with his poise and might have passed Ryan Morris, who started three games last year, on the depth chart.

With Nicholson out because of shoulder surgery, Harnish will challenge for the starting position in the fall. Kill put his stamp on the offense by incorporating a spread offense with a shotgun, which will feature more quarterback involvement.

The Huskies are deep at the running back position with Justin Anderson, Montell Clanton and Chad Spann all returning. In fact, the Huskies return 100 percent of their rushing and passing yards and 95.6 percent of last year's receiving yardages.

But the Huskies, if they want to avoid another 2-10 season, must stay healthy and improve on defense.

The Huskies need English to return healthy from a torn pectoral muscle suffered in the offseason workouts. Alex Kube, who had 111 tackles last year, ranked second in the country among all freshmen in total tackles, but was moved from safety to strongside linebacker.

The key for the Huskies is getting healthy, building team chemistry and forming a tough attitude. They have enough talent with 39 players who started at least one game last year returning.

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