DeKalb, Illinois isn’t known for its mountains, but that isn’t stopping Northern Illinois from sending its football program out West.  According to Brett McMurp

Northern Illinois called a board meeting for Tuesday regarding an invitation to join the Mountain West in July 2026, according to a public meeting report. The expectation is it will accept the Huskies’ invitation as a football-only member.

Northern Illinois’ board of trustees will meet Tuesday to discuss and vote on the acceptance of an invitation to join the Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026.

Northern Illinois appears headed to the Mountain West as a football-only member. The school has officially accepted an invite from the conference and its board of trustees is set to vote on the move on Jan. 7.

Thompson entered the NCAA transfer portal on Dec. 28 following Northern Illinois’ 28-20 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl victory over Fresno State.