CollegeFootballNews.com: CFN Preseason All-Americans: DEs
-Larry English named Honorable Mention

Larry English, Sr. Northern Illinois

The best defensive player in the MAC, and possibly the best all-around player in the league not named Dan LeFevour, is English. A premier pass rusher who cranked out 67 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss despite being the focus of everyone's blocking scheme, and after coming off a knee injury, he needs to be back at 100percent after suffering a torn pectoral muscle this off-season. At 6-3 and 254 pounds, he has decent size and a blast of a first step. When he gets a step on a tackle, forget about it. While he's more of a beefed up linebacker playing end, he projects to be a great outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme at the next level.

The Chicago Tribune: Northern Illinois receiver Davis has more guts than glory
-Coach Jerry Kill likes receiver's attitude

"You have to stretch the field, but you also have to be able to block," Kill said. "You have to have good players in those [offensive] roles.

Accordingly, Davis added weight and mucscle because "[Kill] wants us to get bigger, but he also want us to run. That's his philosophy".

The Batavia Sun: NIU quarterback's health is concern, says coach

The clock is ticking, and time may not be on Dan Nicholson's side.