Deacon King brings running back toughness to NIU’s linebacker room
Deacon King is a freshman linebacker for Northern Illinois in 2026, and the early read is clear: he’s a physical, downhill defender with real two-way pedigree. At Westfield High, he helped push a 6A title-game run, rushing for 822 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025 while also making 45 tackles, after a junior year with 1,440 rushing yards, 18 scores, 39 tackles and two interceptions. That background suggests burst, contact balance, and a nose for the ball — the kind of athletic, aggressive fit coaches love when they want speed and violence at linebacker.
