July 15, 2005
CHICAGO, Ill. -
Illinois State's senior punter Ryan Hoffman garnered his second preseason all-America accolade on Friday when he was named to I-AA.org's 2005 Preseason All-America Second Team.
Hoffman, a second team all-conference selection in 2004, ranked No. 3 in the nation last season with a 43.87 yard punting average, which was tops in the Gateway. In 2003, Hoffman guided the Redbirds to a No. 1 national ranking in net punting at 39.2 yards per kick.
Including Hoffman, nine players from the Gateway Football Conference were recognized on one of I-AA.org's three all-America teams, including Western Kentucky defensive back Antonio Thomas and Missouri State kicker Jon Scifres, who both earned first team honors.
