JERSEYVILLE (MCT) -- Jersey Panthers quarterback Mitch Kimble has given a verbal commitment to play Division I college football at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Kimble, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior, chose the Huskies over Illinois State.

Vanderbilt, Minnesota and Air Force had also shown interest in the Panthers standout, who will be a three-year starter at quarterback when Jersey opens its season Friday at Decatur MacArthur. Kimble completed 60 percent (102 of 170) of his passes for 1,218 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions as a junior.

Northern Illinois, a member of the Mid-American Conference, is coming off an 11-3 season that included a 38-20 victory over Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala.