Two new football players have joined NIU via the transfer portal, just in time for the start of offseason workouts. Junior quarterback Rocky Lombardi and junior running back Clint Ratkovich both enrolled at NIU for the spring semester and participated in team workouts that started this week after the Huskies finished their season winless. Ratkovich joins NIU from the not-so-distant Western Illinois University, where he was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference First-Team twice. On 97 collegiate rushing attempts, the Crete native has 429 yards and three touchdowns.While he plays running back, Ratkovich might be at his most dangerous when lined up as a receiver. Ratkovich has been the Leathernecks leader in receptions the past two seasons, amassing 128 catches for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns over his time with WIU. Hammock describes the superback Ratkovich as a chess piece that can be used in many different ways for his offense. "What stands out is his versatility," Hammock said. "Western Illinois used him in a lot of different ways. He's a great runner, great receiver and great blocker. That allows him to be used in many different formations, and it's great to have chess pieces you can move around like him." - NIU Northern Star