DeKALB – Northern Illinois safety Brandon Mayes took over the jersey number of former teammate Marlon Moore.
Not only is he now No. 2, Mayes is also taking over the graduated Moore's role as the elder of the Huskie safeties this season.
"You have to come out here ready to practice because the group feeds off your energy," Mayes said. "You've been here the longest, you have to be the most energized, you got to know what you're doing. It's a bigger role, but with it comes more responsibility."
Now a redshirt junior, Mayes has played in all 28 games since being a redshirt freshman – including starting all 14 contests in 2015.