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QB, Northern Illinois

Taron Dickens stats, 2026

Northern Illinois (0–7, Mountain West). Quarterback. 2026 season, games through Oct 24, 2026.

Taron Dickens is a quarterback for Northern Illinois (0–7). Among quarterbacks this season he's 55th in completion % (65.7%), 81st in passing yards (1,378), 104th in rushing yards (137), in 7 games. This week: Northern Illinois at UNLV.

Passing yards1,37881st of 209 quarterbacks
Passing TDs5121st of 197 quarterbacks
Completion %65.7%55th of 172 quarterbacks
Yards per attempt6.6137th of 172 quarterbacks

Bio

Who is Taron Dickens?

Position
Quarterback
Class
Junior
Height
5-11
Weight
180 pounds
Number
No. 5
Hometown
Miami, FL
High school
Miami Northwestern (Miami, FL)
Recruiting
3-star, No. 2330 in the 2023 class, signed with Western Carolina
Transfers
Western Carolina to Northern Illinois (2026)

From the 2026 roster, the 247Sports recruiting composite and the transfer portal, all via CollegeFootballData.com.

The season

Taron Dickens's passing stats

He's 55th of 172 quarterbacks in completion % (65.7%) and 81st of 209 quarterbacks in passing yards (1,378).

StatSeasonNational rank
Passing yards1,37881st of 209
Passing TDs5121st of 197
Interceptions thrown5—
Completion %65.7%55th of 172
Yards per attempt6.6137th of 172

The season

Taron Dickens's passing efficiency

He's 130th of 172 quarterbacks in passing success rate (38.7%) and 149th of 173 quarterbacks in sack rate (8.7%).

StatSeasonNational rank
Passing success rate38.7%130th of 172
EPA per play-0.34205th of 207
Sack rate8.7%149th of 173

The season

Taron Dickens's rushing stats

He's 69th of 128 quarterbacks in rushing success rate (48.1%) and 83rd of 133 quarterbacks in yards per carry (5.1).

StatSeasonNational rank
Rushing yards137104th of 207
Carries27104th of 209
Yards per carry5.183rd of 133
Rushing success rate48.1%69th of 128

Ranks are among every FBS quarterback with the stat this season. Rates need a minimum sample (50 dropbacks for passing rates, 20 carries, 8 catches). From the play-by-play.

Career

Taron Dickens's career stats

SeasonTeamComp.Att.Comp. %Pass ydsPass TDINTRush ydsRush TD
2023Western Carolina4666.7%12710-60
2024Western Carolina12717273.8%1,428123562
2025Western Carolina27136574.2%3,5083823211
2026Northern Illinois13821065.7%1,378551370
Career54075371.7%6,44156105083

Past seasons (back to 2022) from CollegeFootballData.com; 2026 from the play-by-play, games through Oct 24, 2026.

By school

How did Taron Dickens do at Western Carolina and Northern Illinois?

Western Carolina (2023–2025) is where he's been best: his best numbers at any school on all 7 of the rates below. That's a passing success rate of 49.8% (38.7% at Northern Illinois), +0.47 EPA per play (+0.02) and 9.3 yards an attempt (6.6). His weakest stretch was Northern Illinois this season: a passing success rate of 38.7% and +0.02 EPA per play. His biggest season for passing yards was 2025 at Western Carolina, with 3,508. The Northern Illinois numbers are 2026 so far, through Oct 24, 2026. The rates compare fairly with his other seasons; the totals are still growing.

Passing yards by season
2023, Western Carolina: 12712720232024, Western Carolina: 1,4281,42820242025, Western Carolina: 3,5083,50820252026, Northern Illinois: 1,3781,3782026*
Passing success rate
Western Carolina, 2023–2025: 49.8%49.8%2023–2025Northern Illinois, 2026: 38.7%38.7%2026*
EPA per play
Western Carolina, 2023–2025: +0.47+0.472023–2025Northern Illinois, 2026: +0.02+0.022026*
Yards per attempt
Western Carolina, 2023–2025: 9.39.32023–2025Northern Illinois, 2026: 6.66.62026*
SchoolSeasonsComp.Att.Comp. %Pass ydsPass TDINTRush ydsRush TDPass successExplosive passesRush success
Western Carolina2023–202540254374.0%5,063515371349.8%18.4%42.9%
Northern Illinois2026 (so far)13821065.7%1,37855137038.7%11.4%48.1%

* 2026 so far, through Oct 24, 2026.

Totals for his seasons at each school; rates worked out from those totals. Success and explosive rates count every play; EPA per play leaves out garbage time. Rates need the same minimum sample as the season stats.

Advanced

Taron Dickens's advanced stats by season

SeasonTeamEPA/playPass EPA/playRush EPA/playPass successExplosive passesRush successTotal EPAUsage
2024Western Carolina-0.26-0.34+0.0646.9%14.6%38.9%-13.733%
2025Western Carolina+0.58+0.65+0.2451.5%20.5%45.2%208.466%
2026Northern Illinois+0.02+0.06-0.1138.7%11.4%48.1%3.459%

EPA per play is the expected points a player adds on each of his plays (0 is average; glossary). Success means the play stayed on schedule: half the yards to go on first down, 70% on second, all of them on third or fourth. Explosive means a run of 12+ yards or a completion of 16+, as a share of his throws, carries or catches. Usage is the share of his team's plays that went to him. EPA and usage leave out garbage time; success and explosive rates count every play. From CollegeFootballData.com and cfbfastR.

Game log

Taron Dickens's game log, 2026

WeekOpponentResultPassing yardsPassing TDsInterceptions thrownRushing yards
1at IowaL 0–4096012
2vs. Illinois StateL 24–28193114
3at ArizonaL 17–422281021
4at Georgia StateL 14–353241015
6vs. Air ForceL 7–281400138
7at WyomingL 23–412181035
8vs. Hawai'iL 21–561791222

FAQ

Questions about Taron Dickens

What position does Taron Dickens play?

Taron Dickens plays quarterback for Northern Illinois, which is 0–7 this season.

Where has Taron Dickens played?

Western Carolina (2023–2025) and Northern Illinois (2026).

Where is Taron Dickens from, and what year is he?

Taron Dickens is a junior quarterback for Northern Illinois, listed at 5-11 and 180 pounds, from Miami, FL.

How tall is Taron Dickens, and how much does he weigh?

Taron Dickens is listed at 5-11 and 180 pounds on Northern Illinois's 2026 roster.

What year is Taron Dickens?

Taron Dickens is a junior, from the 2023 recruiting class.

What are Taron Dickens's career stats?

Over 4 seasons (2023–2026), Taron Dickens has 6,441 passing yards, 56 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, plus 508 rushing yards.

Who does Taron Dickens play for?

Northern Illinois (0–7, Mountain West), where he plays quarterback and wears No. 5.

Is Taron Dickens eligible for the NFL Draft?

Yes. Players can enter the NFL Draft three years after high school, and Taron Dickens was in the 2023 class, so he's eligible for the 2027 draft.

How did Taron Dickens play in his last game?

Week 8 vs. Hawai'i: 179 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 2 interceptions thrown, 22 rushing yards. Northern Illinois lost 21–56.

Where did Taron Dickens go to high school?

Miami Northwestern (Miami, FL). He was a 3-star recruit, No. 2330 in the 2023 class, signed with Western Carolina.

Is Taron Dickens a transfer?

Yes. He transferred from Western Carolina to Northern Illinois (2026).

What are Taron Dickens's stats this season?

1,378 passing yards, 5 passing TDs, 5 interceptions thrown, 65.7% completion %, 6.6 yards per attempt in 7 games, through Oct 24, 2026.

How does Taron Dickens rank nationally?

Among FBS quarterbacks: 55th of 172 in completion %, 81st of 209 in passing yards, 104th of 207 in rushing yards.

When does Taron Dickens play next?

Northern Illinois visits UNLV Sat, Oct 31, 10:30 PM ET on CBSSN. The numbers' pick: UNLV.

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