Jalen Riven has brought physical play, leadership and a loud voice to the Western Illinois football program. The defensive linemen expects to make an impact up front and on special teams. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
Fourth in a four-part series.
By Barry Bottino
MACOMB — “I say tick-tick, you say boom!”
“Tick-tick!”
“BOOM!”
“Tick-tick!”
“BOOM!”
The sound of Jalen Riven’s voice reverberated around Hanson Field before the Western Illinois Purple vs. White scrimmage Aug. 17, inviting his teammates to bring their voices, and the boom.
With 65 new players on the roster this fall, Riven isn’t just another name on the roster. His voice, passion and potential impact have set the FBS University of Toledo transfer apart.
“He brings an attitude to the room that’s unmatched,” WIU defensive line coach Ashton Derico said. “For being a new guy, he has some great leadership skills. He is very physical and takes coaching very well. It’s good for the guys to see that. He plays his butt off.”
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound junior will add much-needed size and depth to the WIU defensive line.
Riven is one of four Fresh Faces at Western Illinois this fall. The annual Prairie State Pigskin series introduces readers to newcomers to the roster and returnees who will play expanded roles.
The Leathernecks gave up 39 rushing touchdowns and nearly 240 rushing yards a game last season. Thus the need for more reinforcements up front.
“I’m very physical,” Riven said. “Our coach preaches effort and physicality, and we make sure we keep that at the forefront of what we do. I’m a run stopper. But I’m also a heavy special teams guy. I just feel like I can add a plethora of things to the team and that’s what I want to do.”
Riven proudly pointed to a white wristband he wears that has been given to only 11 core special teams players at Western.
“I’m grateful to be here. I’m loving this team, this atmosphere,” he said. “It’s smaller, which is what I feel that I needed to remain focused and keep the main thing the main thing.
“Football has given so much to me, so I’m glad I can add value to this team in whatever way possible.”
Derico said the wristband is evidence of how important it is for Riven to integrate himself into a new program quickly.
“That kid takes a lot of pride in what he does,” Derico said.
The Leathernecks are in the midst of a school-record 24-game losing streak – including back-to-back 0-11 seasons — which Riven and other transfers want to change as quickly as possible.
“Coming from being 0-11 last season, that’s hard,” Riven said. “I can see everybody is hungry.”
WIU’s other Fresh Faces include:
Defense
D.J. Taylor, DE, Junior
In 18 games over the past two seasons at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, Taylor compiled six sacks. In his short time at WIU, the 6-4, 230-pound transfer has made a big impression and could be just scratching the surface of his impact.
“He’s a great physical specimen and freakishly strong and athletic,” Derico said. “Every day, he’s a surprise. He just shows you something different. He only knows one speed, full speed. That’s the great part about him. The motor is amazing.
“He’ll show you 10 ways why he can do something instead of why he can’t. When you challenge him, he always rises to the occasion.”
The Leathernecks are looking for more rushers to chase the quarterback. Last season, they collected only six sacks.
Offense
Isaiah Foote, OL, Senior
Foote, who played spring football at WIU, is a transfer with an impressive resume. He started 13 games in the 2022 season at FBS East Carolina. In 2023, he appeared in 10 games as a reserve before hitting the transfer portal.
“Isaiah Foote, in my opinion, will be one of the top offensive linemen in the country this year at our level,” WIU head coach Joe Davis said. “He’s a steal for us.”
The Maryland native, who is 6-3 and 325 pounds, brings 29 games of experience to Macomb. In 2022, he played 888 snaps for the Pirates, including 848 on offense and 40 on special teams. He will be part of an offensive line that tries to drastically improve protecting the quarterback.
Western allowed 50 sacks last season.
“I’m really confident,” Foote said. “I feel like when we need to run, we’ll be able to run and when we need to throw, we’ll be able to throw. As a group, we were able to jell together and be more solid for our quarterback. As a whole, the quarterback is feeling more safe in the pocket and able to make his reads.”
Cameren Smith, RB, Senior
In Western’s revamped backfield, Smith is a likely contributor this season, thanks to his experience.
He was the Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2022 at Division II Missouri S&T, where he rushed for 819 yards and eight touchdowns.
The following season, he racked up 707 yards and 12 TDs. For his career, Smith averaged 5.3 yards a carry.
Smith will be counted on, among others, to revive the running game at Western, which averaged only 47.6 yards a game and 1.5 yards per carry last fall.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and spent 19 years at three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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