University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Six Athletes Look To Get Their Chance In The NFL
5/2/2016 2:50:00 PM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa football program continued its tradition of sending student-athletes to the NFL after six players will get their shot at the next level in the coming months.
After standout defensive back Deiondre' Hall was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round, other UNI stars started to get their opportunity in the league as well.
Hall's defensive teammate Makinton Dorleant will sign a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers and will be joined by Savon Huggins, who was invited to the Packers mini-camp. UNI also had three other players receive invitations to mini-camps including Brett McMakin to the Atlanta Falcons, Tim Kilfoy to the Tennessee Titans and Edwin Young to the Minnesota Vikings.
Dorleant is coming off a season where he earned a spot on the College Sports Madness and STATS All-America teams after also being named to the All-MVFC squad for the third consecutive season.
The Naples, Fla. native shined as a punt returner for the Panthers this past season, finishing the year ranked No. 4 in the country in punt returns. He doubled as a feisty cornerback, leading the conference and earning a No. 15 ranking in FCS in passes defended.
Huggins transferred late in his career from Rutgers, but made an immediate impact on the UNI football program and its fans. Huggins gained the respect of his teammates by being named a team captain for the 2015 season, racking up 216 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards and 154 yards on kickoff returns. He scored three touchdowns throughout the season and his 154 kickoff return yards led the team this past fall, averaging 17.1 yards per return.
McMakin led the team in tackles this season with 123, including 81 solo that ranks him No. 8 all-time at UNI in season unassisted tackles. He was named to the College Sports Madness and STATS FCS All-America second-teams along with All-MVFC first-team. He proved troublesome for opposing offenses during his time as a Panther, finishing his career ranked in the top-10 all-time at UNI in career solo tackles.
Kilfoy, who is known for his dazzling interception returns into the end zone, wrapped up his career ranked No. 2 all-time at UNI in career pick-sixes. He was named to the College Sports Network All-America honorable mention team and the College Sports Madness FCS All-America third-team this season, also earning a selection to the All-MVFC first-team. He recorded 197 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and nine pass breakups as a Panther.
Young, who started 10 games in 2015 at cornerback, shined at UNI's pro day, gaining attention from multiple NFL scouts. He had 22 tackles last season, adding three pass breakups. Young had several standout games during the 2015 season, including four solo tackles in UNI's win over top-25 ranked Eastern Illinois in the FCS playoffs.
After standout defensive back Deiondre' Hall was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round, other UNI stars started to get their opportunity in the league as well.
Hall's defensive teammate Makinton Dorleant will sign a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers and will be joined by Savon Huggins, who was invited to the Packers mini-camp. UNI also had three other players receive invitations to mini-camps including Brett McMakin to the Atlanta Falcons, Tim Kilfoy to the Tennessee Titans and Edwin Young to the Minnesota Vikings.
Dorleant is coming off a season where he earned a spot on the College Sports Madness and STATS All-America teams after also being named to the All-MVFC squad for the third consecutive season.
The Naples, Fla. native shined as a punt returner for the Panthers this past season, finishing the year ranked No. 4 in the country in punt returns. He doubled as a feisty cornerback, leading the conference and earning a No. 15 ranking in FCS in passes defended.
Huggins transferred late in his career from Rutgers, but made an immediate impact on the UNI football program and its fans. Huggins gained the respect of his teammates by being named a team captain for the 2015 season, racking up 216 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards and 154 yards on kickoff returns. He scored three touchdowns throughout the season and his 154 kickoff return yards led the team this past fall, averaging 17.1 yards per return.
McMakin led the team in tackles this season with 123, including 81 solo that ranks him No. 8 all-time at UNI in season unassisted tackles. He was named to the College Sports Madness and STATS FCS All-America second-teams along with All-MVFC first-team. He proved troublesome for opposing offenses during his time as a Panther, finishing his career ranked in the top-10 all-time at UNI in career solo tackles.
Kilfoy, who is known for his dazzling interception returns into the end zone, wrapped up his career ranked No. 2 all-time at UNI in career pick-sixes. He was named to the College Sports Network All-America honorable mention team and the College Sports Madness FCS All-America third-team this season, also earning a selection to the All-MVFC first-team. He recorded 197 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and nine pass breakups as a Panther.
Young, who started 10 games in 2015 at cornerback, shined at UNI's pro day, gaining attention from multiple NFL scouts. He had 22 tackles last season, adding three pass breakups. Young had several standout games during the 2015 season, including four solo tackles in UNI's win over top-25 ranked Eastern Illinois in the FCS playoffs.
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