Rocky Lombardi

The former Michigan State transfer finally got what he wanted in 2021 — a full season of action. Lombardi flashed with the Spartans but could never quite put it all together, and he’s coming off a solid season where he led the Huskies to a MAC title. Lombardi will look to break out in his final year of eligibility, and he’ll have the pieces to do it. The gunslinger gets his top two targets back, namely wideout Trayvon Rudolph, who caught 51 passes for 892 yards and seven scores. Cole Tucker, who hauled in 41 passes for 575 yards and three touchdowns, also returns. Northern Illinois is a ground-and-pound football team, so don’t expect off-the-charts numbers from Lombardi in his final collegiate season. But the quarterback has the experience, and the weapons, to play his best season to date in 2022.