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 Northern Illinois was already trying to steady its ship after Thomas Hammock’s departure to the NFL, but the roster damage did not stop with the coaching change. Three more players immediately entered the transfer portal. The departures reportedly include a promising defensive lineman, a running back providing key depth, and a special teams contributor, leaving interim coach Rob Harley with significant holes to fill. Well, the team saw players enter the transfer portal mainly because head coach Thomas Hammock left the team to join the Seattle Seahawks as running backs coach. When a head coach leaves, it creates uncertainty for players, and some choose to move to other teams. Because of this, the team lost players like running back Lazaro Rogers, defensive lineman Mark Hensley, and wide receiver Landon Tate. The NCAA has a special rule for situations like this. When a coach leaves, players get an extra chance to transfer, even if the normal transfer window is closed. In simple terms, they get about 15 days to enter the transfer portal. If a new coach is hired between January 2 and June 30, this 15-day period usually starts five days after the new coach is announced. This gives players time to decide what they want to do after such a big change in the team. Because Rob Harley was quickly named interim coach, it officially triggered the NCAA’s new 15-day transfer window. This means that players did not have to wait for the spring portal to bolt or switch programs. Mark Hensley did not wait around. The defensive tackle decided to leave soon after head coach Thomas Hammock left the team to join the NFL, showing why unexpected NFL departures devastate programs. Hensley spent three years at Northern Illinois. In his first year in 2023, he did not play so he could save a year of eligibility. After that, he improved a lot and became an important player for the team. Northern Illinois Huskies (NIU) [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Northern-Illinois-Huskies.webp]Mandatory Credits: via NCAA Athletics Wiki – Fandom Last season, he had a strong performance with 32 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and one sack, showing his defensive value. Losing a player like Hensley is a big blow for Northern Illinois because he was becoming a key part of the team. His growth and performance made him important to their defense, so replacing him will not be easy. Then there’s running back Lazaro Rogers, who joins the list. His exit may not grab the same attention as Hensley’s, but it still chips away at NIU’s spring backfield depth at a time when the Huskies can’t simply turn around and add help. Rogers was the third running back on the team, behind Chavon Wright and Telly Johnson Jr. Even though he was not the main player, he was still important as a backup option. Right now, it is not clear where he will go next. Boise State had offered him before, and he could also choose to go back and play closer to home in Florida. The same roster drain showed up at receiver, where Landon Tate’s departure further thins out a group that was already losing useful depth during an unstable depth for the program. In the 2025 season, he played in 10 games and mainly helped the team on special teams. Tate was not a main offensive player but still contributed in other important ways. But amid this chaos, the team is also preparing to make a massive transition. NORTHERN ILLINOIS MAKES A MASSIVE TRANSITION Northern Illinois is making a big change by joining the Mountain West Conference for football starting in 2026. The school and the conference have officially announced this move. It is an important step for the team, and athletic director Sean T. Frazier said it is a great chance for the program to grow, adjust to changes in college sports, and start a new chapter. In 2026, Northern Illinois will play against teams like Air Force, Hawai’i, UNLV, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, and Wyoming. This change is happening because many college teams are switching conferences. Schools like Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State are leaving for a new Pac-12 conference, which opened up space in the Mountain West and allowed Northern Illinois to join. However, there is still some confusion about the other sports at NIU. Only the football team is moving to the Mountain West, and it is not yet decided where the other teams will play. The school will keep talking with the Mid-American Conference, where it has been since 1997, and will also look at other nearby conference options. Now, let’s wait and see how the team holds up in the new conference. 

Northern Illinois loses three players after transfer portal reopens following coach departure, adding to roster uncertainty.

Papiya Chatterjee is a Senior College Football Writer at EssentiallySports, working on the site’s Trends Desk. She has covered two action-packed seasons and played a central role in ES Behind the Scenes analysis, spotlighting the game’s biggest stars. During the draft, her reporting on the surprising <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-twenty-twenty-five-nfl-draft-shedeur-sanders-faces-harsh-reality-as-national-analyst-excludes-him-from-top-five-pick-conversation/">slides of Shedeur and Shilo Sanders</a>, particularly Shedeur’s, sparked wide fan debate.

An advocate for playoff expansion, Papiya believes a 16-team bracket is the fairest way to give three-loss contenders from tough conferences a real chance. With fresh talent emerging across the college football landscape, she heads into this season ready to deliver standout coverage for fans.

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Northern Illinois Loses 3 Players Immediately After Transfer Portal Reopens

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Northern Illinois Loses 3 Players Immediately After Transfer Portal Reopens - EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports is a U.S.-based sports media platform built for modern fandom. We go beyond headlines to create storylines powered by athletes, fans, data, and culture, giving equal energy to the mainstream and the overlooked.

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Papiya Chatterjee is a Senior College Football Writer at EssentiallySports, working on the site’s Trends Desk. She has covered two action-packed seasons and played a central role in ES Behind the Scenes analysis, spotlighting the game’s biggest stars. During the draft, her reporting on the surprising slides of Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, particularly Shedeur’s, sparked wide fan debate. An advocate for playoff expansion, Papiya believes a 16-team bracket is the fairest way to give three-loss contenders from tough conferences a real chance. With fresh talent emerging across the college football landscape, she heads into this season ready to deliver standout coverage for fans.

Northern Illinois Loses 3 Players Immediately After Transfer Portal Reopens

Northern Illinois Loses 3 Players Immediately After Transfer Portal Reopens

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