Josh Holst News, Rumors, Updates - Northern Illinois Huskies

Enters transfer portal Holst is entering the transfer portal, per his Twitter.

Impact Holst spent the past two years at Northern Illinois, and he completed 78 of his 130 pass attempts for 689 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions across seven games during the 2025 campaign. He will now look to join a new program and has two years of eligibility remaining.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to face WMU Holst is active for Tuesday's game against Western Michigan.

Impact Holst will avoid missing a second straight contest due to an undisclosed injury. The quarterback is slated to serve as the backup to Jalen Macon.

NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't end up playing vs. UMass Holst (undisclosed) did not play in Wednesday's 45-3 win over UMass.

Impact Holst was questionable heading into the matchup, and he didn't end up playing in the blowout. The redshirt sophomore quarterback has now missed three games this season. He'll look to be healthy for next Tuesday's game against Western Michigan, but it's unknown if he would even get the start after continued struggles.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Wednesday Holst (undisclosed) is questionable for Wednesday's game against UMass.

Impact Holst has struggled badly this season, completing 60 percent of his passes for 689 yards while posting a 4:3 TD:INT. The questionable tag means it's uncertain whether he'll play in this matchup.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Benched ahead of UMass clash Holst is no longer listed as the starting quarterback for Northern Illinois ahead of Wednesday night against UMass, per Skyler Kisellus of the Northern Star.

Impact Holst has struggled mightily this season, and in the Huskies' blowout loss against Toledo, he completed just 5-of-13 passes for 78 yards. After posting a total of 689 passing yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and 60 percent completion, along with 155 rushing yards and a score though seven games, NIU will make a quarterback change and go with redshirt senior Jalen Macon.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles again vs. Rockets Holst completed 5 of 13 passes for 87 yards during Wednesday's 42-3 loss versus Toledo. He also had seven rushes for 14 yards.

Impact Holst didn't get to pass much for a second straight week, but he still wasn't able to do much with his 13 attempts. The 6-foot-4 quarterback has still salvaged some solid games even amidst a run-heavy offense, but a lot of games this season have showcased that he's better as a game manager. He'll look to turn things around for a 2-7 (1-4 MAC) squad next week at UMass.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Low passing usage in loss Holst completed 6 of 11 passes for 65 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 21-7 victory versus Ball State. He also had three rushes for 36 yards with one tou...

Impact Holst was barely utilized as a passer in the eventual win over the Cardinals, but he did find some success on the ground with 36 yards and a score. The 6-foot-4 quarterback executed the Huskies' game plan relatively well, so it's likely he'll get another start at Toledo next Wednesday.

OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Wright, Johnson Jr. combine for 266 yards rushing, lead Northern Illinois over Ball State 21-7

Chavon Wright and Telly Johnson Jr. have led Northern Illinois to a 21-7 victory over Ball State

OCTOBER 25 • Associated Press

Listed as starter on depth chart Holst is listed as the Huskies' starting quarterback on their Week 9 depth chart, per Skyler Kisellus of the Northern Star.

Impact Holst got the start in NIU's blowout loss to Ohio, and tossed for 161 yards and two touchdowns while completing 72.4 percent of his passes, adding 48 yards on the ground as well. Despite the lopsided result, it wasn't a bad performance by any means, it was just ineffective in powering the Huskies to victory. Holst now appears to have taken over as the starting gunslinger in DeKalb.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start in blowout Holst completed 21 of 29 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 48-21 loss against Ohio. He also had 11 rushes for 48 yards.

Impact Holst got the start against the Bobcats and while the Huskies struggled, the quarterback still posted a decent stat line. The 6-foot-4 redshirt sophomore threw for double-digit scores for the first time this season, and he spread the love to nine different pass catchers. Holst will likely get the start, though it's not know for sure, against Ball State next Saturday.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start in blowout Holst completed 21 of 29 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 48-21 loss against Ohio. He also had 11 rushes for 48 yards.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Bangura, Brune combine for 5 TDs, 272 yards as ground game drives Ohio past Northern Illinois 48-21

Sieh Bangura rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns and Duncan Brune rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns to lead a dominant rushing effort for Ohio in a 48-21 win over North...

OCTOBER 18 • Associated Press

Quiet in low-scoring loss Holst completed 6 of 14 passes for 49 yards during Saturday's 6-3 defeat versus San Diego State. He also had 12 rushes for 25 yards.

Impact Holst barely got many opportunities to pass the rock in the loss to the Aztecs, but he still didn't convert on them with just six completions for 49 yards. The starting quarterback has unfortunately been at the forefront of a run-heavy offense this season. He'll hopefully be able to do more in the Huskies' conference opener versus Miami-Ohio this upcoming Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in low-scoring loss Holst completed 6 of 14 passes for 49 yards during Saturday's 6-3 defeat versus San Diego State. He also had 12 rushes for 25 yards.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Stymied in blowout Holst completed 14 of 23 passes for 135 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 38-10 defeat against Mississippi State.

Impact Holst couldn't do much in the loss to the Bulldogs, throwing just one passing touchdown and seeing limited output otherwise. The starting quarterback did throw his first passing TD of the year, but he also continued a streak of less than 150 passing-yard games. While the Huskies continue to rely on a ground and pound technique even in blowouts, Holst doesn't have much value as a passer.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Stymied in blowout Holst completed 14 of 23 passes for 135 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 38-10 defeat against Mississippi State.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal output vs. Terrapins Holst completed 14 of 22 passes for 91 yards during Friday's 20-9 loss against Maryland. He also had 10 rushes for two yards.

Impact Holst struggled to get things going against the Terrapins defense throughout the entirety of the matchup, even though the Huskies kept it competitive in the first half. The starting quarterback now has just 192 passing yards with zero touchdowns and one interception in the first two games of the season. This may cause the coaching staff to re-evaluate the quarterback position, but the team is still run-centered which could keep Holst at the helm.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Washington's big 4th-down throw helps Maryland put away Northern Illinois in a 20-9 win

Malik Washington threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Shaleak Knotts on fourth down, and Maryland held off Northern Illinois 20-9

SEPTEMBER 6 • Associated Press

Rough game even with win Holst was 12-for-18 passing for 101 yards and one interception during Saturday's 19-17 win against Holy Cross. He also had eight rushes for 11 yards.

Impact Holst struggled throughout the entirety of the gritty win to get the passing game going, with the rushing game being the main source of production. The 6-foot-4 quarterback barely surpassed 100 yards in the air, and he dished out an interception in the third quarter. It appears the Huskies will likely rely on a ground-and-pound scheme, as they have historically, especially in close games.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Rough game even with win Holst was 12-for-18 passing for 101 yards and one interception during Saturday's 19-17 win against Holy Cross. He also had eight rushes for 11 yards.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

NIU and Holy Cross trade fourth-quarter kickoff-return TDs before Huskies take 19-17 win

Dev’ion Reynolds returned a fourth-quarter kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown and Northern Illinois defeated Holy Cross 19-17 on Saturday in a season opener for both teams

AUGUST 30 • Associated Press

Officially named QB1 Holst has been named Northern Illinois' starting quarterback, per Skyler Kisellus of the Northern Star.

Impact Holst has been expected to start since spring ball, so this comes as little surprise. Last season for the Huskies, Holst threw for 593 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 58.6 percent of his passes. He also added 230 yards rushing and one score on the ground. Holst beat out Brady Davidson, Jackson Proctor and Jalen Macon for the starting gig.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Holst's complete game gem leads Libertyville to the Class 4A state title Libertyville beat McHenry 4-1 to win the school’s first baseball state championship.

JUNE 15 • SUNTIMES.COM

Baseball: Libertyville completes magical season, wins first state baseball championship Josh Holst has Libertyville flying high. Holst, who will be playing next season at the Air Force Academy where he wants to be a pilot, pitch...

JUNE 15 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Baseball: Libertyville powers its way past Maine South, advances to 4A state tournament Josh Holst just needed to take a deep breath. The Libertyville ace was standing in the mound in the bottom of the first. Two runs were alrea...

JUNE 10 • DAILYHERALD.COM

JOSH HOLST NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

Wright, Johnson Jr. combine for 266 yards rushing, lead Northern Illinois over Ball State 21-7

Bangura, Brune combine for 5 TDs, 272 yards as ground game drives Ohio past Northern Illinois 48-21

Washington's big 4th-down throw helps Maryland put away Northern Illinois in a 20-9 win

NIU and Holy Cross trade fourth-quarter kickoff-return TDs before Huskies take 19-17 win