McLean County Times

The Illinois State football team has been ranked fourth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) preseason poll. This announcement was made at the league's media day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The voting panel included league head coaches, communications directors, and media representatives.

North Dakota State, the defending FCS national champion, was chosen as the favorite with 39 out of 42 first-place votes and a total of 417 points. Following them were South Dakota State with 355 points and South Dakota with 349 points. All three teams reached the national semifinals in 2024. Illinois State's fourth-place ranking marks its highest preseason position since 2019, earning them 292 points.

The MVFC also released a "Watch List" featuring top student-athletes for the upcoming fall camp. Among those named from Illinois State are quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, running back Wenkers Wright, tight end/fullback Scotty Presson Jr., tight end Javon Charles, offensive linemen Jake Pope and Landon Woodard, wide receivers Eddie Kasper and Daniel Sobkowicz, defensive linemen Jake Anderson and Nick Kessler, linebacker Tye Niekamp, defensive back Shadwel Nkuba II, longsnapper Dylan Calabrese and punter Hayden Futch. Several players including Niekamp, Calabrese, Wright, Sobkowicz, Anderson and Rittenhouse have also been recognized as preseason All-Americans by Stats Perform.

Illinois State will start its fall season on August 30 against Oklahoma before hosting Morehead State on September 6 at Hancock Stadium. Tickets for Redbird Football games are available online or through the ISU Athletics Ticket Office.

GoRedbirds.com provides further information on tickets and other resources related to Illinois State athletics.