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player ready...Rod Carey is not a star-gazer when it comes to evaluating the quality of his recruits.
The Northern Illinois coach says he relies more on his personal observations, developing relationships and football instincts than a third party’s impersonal ranking system of high school players.
Carey’s instincts have been very effective for the defending Mid-American Conference champions.
“Every year we have a surprise,” Carey said. “Last year we had (freshman cornerback) Albert Smalls. I don’t know how many (ranking) stars he had because I don’t pay any attention to that stuff. But I don’t think he had many. And he started the first game of the year as a true freshman.”
Carey says he places a high importance on players who truly want to become a part of the Huskies family atmosphere.
For instance, NIU’s lone quarterback recruit, Daniel Santacaterina from Geneva High School, eagerly follows his brother, Michael, who wrapped up his career as a linebacker at NIU in 2014.
“I feel ecstatic about having Daniel with us,” Carey said. “We have another ‘Santa.’ So whenever I say ‘Santa,’ the whole family turns around. It’s pretty funny. It’s good to have him here; it’s just a strong family. And Daniel is going to be a heck of a player here.”
Carey also carried on about the intangible qualities of talented wide receiver Spencer Tears out of Richards High School.
“I feel really good about the relationship we’ve developed with Spence and his mother and his family,” he said. “I feel real positive about him … not just on the field, but off the field as well. As good a player as he is, he is probably that good a person too.”