Michigan back headed to NIU

SOUTHFIELD, MICH. - Three-star running back Devin Church of Birmingham (Mich.) Brother Rice picked up several early offers and looked to be in line for several more after a series of strong summer camp performances, but the 5-8, 175-pound back decided he found his fit in the MAC and committed to Northern Ilinois on Friday at a press conference.

"I went down there and loved the campus," Church said of the Huskies. "I talk to the running backs coach almost every day and we have a real good connection."

During a spring visit to Northern Illinois, Church met Huskies wide receiver/running back Akeem Daniels, and a message from Daniels in recent weeks convinced him he wanted to be a Husky."

"He would be my competition and just to see him text me, that was a good thing right there," Church said. "He was just saying to come down here and get the ball."

Church utilized his spring break to take a visit to DeKalb. Other offers had come in from Boston College, Bowling Green and Toledo, but the April trip to Northern Illinois stuck with him.

"The atmosphere was great and it just felt good there," Church said. "The campus was great, I liked the weight room and everything was just real cool."

Church now heads into his senior year at Brother Rice with the weight of the recruiting process off his shoulders.

"It's a relief to finally get this college process over," he said. "Practice starts Monday, so that's what I am focused on right now."