I-AA.org, a website devoted to NCAA I-AA football, named Illinois State linebacker Boomer Grigsby the Preseason Gateway Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Grigsby joined offensive lineman Stafford Davis and defensive lineman Ray Robinson as Redbird first-team selections.
Illinois State added four second-team picks with Dwayne Smith (WR), Jeremy Melville (OL), Stephen Carroll (K) and Troy Maskel (P), while also placing Mike Stegeman (OL), Mike Souza (QB), Joe Walkins (WR), Demetrus Johnson (RB), Antwan Oliver (DB) and Tyler Larick (DB) on the Rising Stars team.
The Redbirds were tabbed for a fourth-place finish in the league behind Western Illinois, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
Illinois State opens the 2003 season on August 28 against Drake at Hancock Stadium for the first of seven home games.
