Joe Niklasch (OL, 6'3" - 290) enters his first year of professional ball after spending the past four years as an offensive lineman for the Redbirds of Illinois State University. Each year he continued to raise his stock for the professional game starting in the vast majority of their games and opening up the line for the Redbird running and passing game. The Menomonee Falls, WI native looks to continue those same traits for the Extreme this upcoming season in the indoor version of the game.

"We are excited to get the best Illinois State University football prospect from this season hands down,” Carr says. “Joe is a throwback guy who you want on your side when you go to battle each and every week. He gives you everything he has every play of the game and his toughness and work ethic are very hard to find. We are glad to have him down the road playing for the Extreme this upcoming season.”

"Keeping local kids into our program is a top priority for not only our owners and management,  but our coaching staff as well," Extreme General Manager Bart Rogers says. "Having local talent is a plus and then to top it off with a guy like Justin Harrison who leaves it all on the line each and every play is a huge selling point for our business side of the operation here in Bloomington/Normal. Joe brings a force on the offensive line and makes our running game and passing game that much better. We welcome their addition to the Extreme and look for great things to happen for both of them."

Bloomington, IL (December 23, 2008) – Bloomington Extreme General Manager Bart Rogers today announced the signing of two more players for the 2009 Indoor Football League season.

Head Coach Kenton Carr inked contracts today with Bloomington's very own and University of Illinois Defensive Back/Line Backer Justin Harrison and Illinois State University Redbirds Offensive Lineman Joe Niklasch.

Justin Harrison (DB/LB, 5'10" -215) comes to the Extreme after a stealer Big Ten career playing at the University of Illinois. He ended his 4 year career with the Fighting Illini with 284 tackles, 6 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions. Following his Big Ten college career he signed a National Football League contract with the Cleveland Browns and was in their training camp and later waived following mini-camp. He then went on to a tryout with the New Orleans Saints and was released following their camp due to a hamstring injury. Justin currently is working at Bloomington High School and helped the coaching staff this past season at Illinois Wesleyan University with the defensive backs. This will be his first year of Indoor Football with the Extreme and he looks to round out a stacked defensive regime already signed for the 2009 Inaugural Indoor Football League season.