‘It gets competitive out there:’ DeKalb grads Jordan Gandy, Cole Tucker in NIU spring drills

Taking a scoring system that the Baltimore Ravens used in his time there, NIU coach Thomas Hammock is instilling competition into the Huskies’ spring drills.

Points are awarded for various plays using a system of metrics that pits the offense against the defense.

“We have all these metrics that we evaluate in practice,” Hammock said. “The goal is to keep it as competitive as possible. Our coaches know the point system, the players understand the point system, and every day is within four, five points. It shows to me we have a balanced team that’s very competitive.”

The defense won the first best-of-three competition, with the second set tied 1-1 going into Saturday’s practice.

DeKalb grad and junior receiver Cole Tucker said he’s enjoying the added competition, even if it is against teammates.

“We get scored every practice, every drill,” Tucker said. “It’s interesting. Obviously you want to compete but it’s going against your own team so you have to forget that aspect at some point. It gets competitive out there. I love it. And going into each drill we know who’s winning what so you adjust it.”

Jordan Gandy transferred in last year from South Dakota State and started for the Huskies, leading the team with 41 tackles, breaking up seven passes and getting an interception.

With a year in the system under his belt, Thomas said the defense can open up more things. He even got his defense some points on Thursday with an interception in practice.

“Gandy, he made a big play today, had a pick,” Hammock said. “He’s playing good, aggressive defense. Now with guys being a lot older we can do a lot more in our system. He’s a guy that can benefit from that when you can change things, change looks, have different disguises. That helps the whole defense.”

Tucker had 13 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns in the 2020 season in which the Huskies went 0-6.

Hammock said Tucker brings dependability and reliability to the offense.

“Cole has a good chemistry with the quarterbacks,” Hammock said. “He’s gotten bigger. He’s carrying some more weight which will allow him to play stronger and bigger. He’s a guy we’re going to depend on a lot in the passing game. There’s a level of comfort to what he does. Quarterbacks know where he’s going to be and they have confidence when they throw him the ball.”

Hammock said there’s a competition in the quarterback room with junior transfer Rocky Lombardi from Michigan State, junior Rodney Thompson and freshmen Dustin Fletcher and Ethan Hampton.

Fletcher had game action last year, as the NCAA granted a free year of eligibility to all players for the 2020 season.

Tucker said he’s been impressed by Lombardi and the other quarterbacks.

“Obviously he’s played in some big games,” Tucker said. “He’s been great helping all the guys get on the same page, helping them improve. And they’ve got a friendly competition going over there. So it’s been going great so far.”

With eight practices down and No. 9 on tap for Saturday, Hammock said he has really liked the progression he has seen.

‘I think guys are starting to realize how good they could be,” Hammock said. “It’s always a positive as you in spring practice, continually get better. And I think guys are continuing to gain confidence in themselves, that they can make plays, they can be playmakers and help this team win.”