2026 Northern Illinois University Depth Chart
Northern Illinois enters a transformative 2026 season as the program transitions from the MAC to the Mountain West as a football-only member. At quarterback, redshirt sophomore Josh Holst appears to have the inside track as the starter after the departure of Ethan Hampton (who transferred to Illinois). Holst, a 6’4″ signal-caller, is the only QB in the room with starting experience at NIU, though he’ll need to prove he can handle an increased level of competition in the Mountain West. The ceiling is limited for fantasy purposes, but Holst’s size and familiarity with the system give him a viable floor.
Sophomore Telly Johnson Jr. enters his second college season as the top returning running back after rushing for 480 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2024. Johnson shared first-team reps with Jaylen Poe during practice, suggesting a committee approach at least initially. Johnson’s combination of burst and developing skill set gives him the most dynasty upside in this backfield, and an expanded workload in year two could push him toward 800+ yards if he secures the lead role. He’s a deep-league stash worth monitoring.
The broader offensive picture at NIU is one of transition – new conference, roster turnover, and a program trying to build on the momentum of the 2024 upset of Notre Dame that put the Huskies on the national map. The receiver and tight end groups will be defined during camp, and the kicker spot is TBD. For fantasy purposes, Northern Illinois is a wait-and-see roster, but Johnson at RB is the most intriguing individual asset to track.