Wide receiver Allen Middleton has returned to Southern Illinois after spending last season at FBS Bowling Green. He’s expected to play a key role in the SIU passing game. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
When Allen Middleton arrived back in Carbondale, Southern Illinois football coach Nick Hill noticed a difference.
The former Saluki wide receiver transferred back to SIU this off-season after a year at FBS Bowling Green.
“We’re getting an even better Allen,” Hill said. “He didn’t go and get worse last year. He’s older. He’s had new experiences. He’s grown.”
Middleton will be a key piece for the Salukis at the wide receiver position when they open spring camp Thursday. SIU’s 15 spring practices will culminate April 17 with their annual spring game under the lights at Saluki Stadium.
While Middleton said he’s always working on quickness, speed and acceleration, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Mascoutah native said his game has advanced in another key area.
“The part of my game that has improved the most is the mental side,” he said. “Reading coverages pre-snap, knowing what the defense is doing before they do it – that helps me react faster as a player.”
Two seasons ago in Carbondale, he caught 32 passes for 422 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 124 yards on 25 carries.
Though his time at Bowling Green “didn’t go like I wanted it to,” SIU’s interest in his return was welcome.
“Making that decision was a no-brainer,” he said. “The situation that I’m walking into was the best for me and my family. I’m familiar with the guys, the coaches, the system. I really want to make an impact as soon as possible. Here, I’ve got the biggest chance of doing that.”
Another positive for Middleton is that he’s worked with returning quarterback D.J. Willliams, who finished eighth last season in voting for the Walter Payton Award, given to the best offensive player in FCS.
“D.J. is a good guy to be around,” Middleton said. “He’s competitive. That goes hand in hand with me. Having a guy with that competitive edge makes you want to go out and compete.”
Here’s a look at three key position battles entering spring practices:
Wide receiver
Middleton has plenty of company vying for spots in the receiving corps.
One of those names is 6-3 Traivon Dyson, who took a unique path to Carbondale. A transfer from UNLV in his hometown, Dyson began his career with two seasons at D-II University of Mary in North Dakota, where he caught 47 passes in 2023 and led the team with 649 receiving yards and eight TDs.
During his time at Mary, Dyson’s position coach was current SIU special teams coordinator Nathan Frame.
“(Nathan) recruited him and coached him for a full season,” Hill said. “In recruiting, you’re looking for some kind of connection. You’re looking for coaches that are going to vouch for players so you have a pretty good idea what you’re getting.
“We think (Traivon) can be a critical piece for us and add a lot of value.”
D-II Edward Waters University transfer Aiden Showers (6-3, 185) has drawn comparisons to Jay Jones, who blossomed last season in his final year as a Saluki.
“He’s got a presence about him,” Hill said. “He’s tall and he can really run and stretch the defense, similar to Jay.”
Redshirt sophomore Blayne Sisson, who played at nearby Mount Carmel High School and began his career at Illinois, is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and will be “limited” this spring, Hill said.
An addition from Northern Illinois last season, 6-3 Kyle Thomas will get an opportunity to add to the receiving corps as well.
“He really committed to changing his body, putting on a little bit of weight,” Hill said.
In addition, SIU added transfer Markell Quick (5-10, 167) from FBS Chattanooga, where he caught 37 passes for 686 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensive tackle
Returnee Amir Dwight, who had three sacks and a forced fumble last season as a sophomore, is back amid a position group without Peyton Reeves and Noah Friedt, mainstays in the rotation last season.
Transfers ShuMond Jackson (6-5, 310) from Troy and Lance Bassett (6-2, 290) from North Alabama are on campus, with fellow newcomer Chase Kerns (6-1, 270) joining them this summer after completing coursework at Georgia Military College.
“We’ve got a lot of depth there right now, especially adding those guys,” Hill said. “I’m excited about that group. You’ve got to have five or six of them to be able to play through a whole season.
“We have to find multiple guys that can go out and play at the level you need to in our league.”
An intriguing returnee is Gavin Tinch (6-5, 305), who played Illinois prep football at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake and was a freshman last season.
“He’s been phenomenal since he’s been here,” Hill said. “He is in that Peyton Reeves-type body style. We’re looking forward to Gavin being one of those names being out there for us.”
Kicker/punter
Gone is the do-it-all Paul Geelen, who spent the past two seasons handling both jobs for the Salukis. He made 15 of 17 field goals, including a long of 53 yards. Meanwhile, he punted for a nearly 41-yard average and put 12 kicks inside the opposing 20-yard line.
Transfer Seth Adams, an Illinois native and LaSalle-Peru High School graduate, handled both jobs at D-III Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he connected on 12 of 15 field goals. His long kick was 53 yards last season. As a punter, Adams averaged 43.8 yards.
“It’s such a weapon when you have a good one, whether it’s punting or kicking,” Hill said. “Seth can do both.”
Returning punter Elijah Gorman and kicker Tanner Trachsel also are contenders for the jobs.
“With specialists, you’ve got to have competition,” Hill said. “They’ll get that opportunity all the way through spring, summer and fall camp.”
Coach Hill staying put
On Monday, SIU announced a four-year contract extension for Hill through the 2029 season.
He previously signed a five-year contract before the 2022 season, according to an SIU news release. In 2025, Hill completed his 10th season as head coach and has compiled a 55-61 record with three playoff appearances.
Under Hill, the Salukis have compiled five winning seasons over the past seven years.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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