July 26, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Even though both of them say that preseason recognitions and prognostications do not mean that much, Illinois State football seniors Laurént Robinson and Cameron Siskowic have to feel good about being named to several preseason all-America lists. With the list growing daily, the duo can each add a first team selection by Don Hansen's Football Gazette to their respective lists, as was announced on Wednesday.
This latest recognition is the third preseason all-America recognition for each player. Robinson was named a first-team selection by The Sports Network and I-AA.org, while Siskowic was a second-team selection by the The Sports Network and earned first-team laurels from I-AA.org. Robinson and Siskowic were also named to the Gateway Football Conference's Preseason All-Conference Team earlier this week, at wide receiver and linebacker, respectively.
Ryan Jewell (center) of Youngstown State and Chad Rinehart (offensive tackle) of Northern Iowa join Robinson as the only other first-team members from Gateway schools on the list. Jewell's teammate at Youngstown State, Codera Jackson (defensive back), joins Siskowic on the first-team defense, bringing the total to five Gateway players on the list.
Robinson is coming off his best season as a Redbird. The Rockledge, Fla., native collected 1,465 yards on 86 catches and 12 touchdowns in 2005. Those breakout numbers earned the `Birds go-to receiver Gateway Offensive Player of the Year honors, made him a finalist for the Walter Payton Award and earned him consensus all-America accolades.
In addition, Robinson enters the 2006 season needing only 26 catches, 431 yards and a single touchdown, to surpass the current record holder, Rickey Garrett, in every Redbird receiving category.
Siskowic, the 2005 leading tackler is the Gateway, was a finalist for the 2005 Buck Buchanan Award, awarded to the best defensive player in I-AA football. The San Diego, Calif., native started all 11 games for the Redbirds at the strong side linebacker position. He finished with 132 total tackles, including 55 solo stops, while averaging 12 tackles per game.
The Redbirds begin their fall preparations for the 2006 season, with their first practice taking place on Thursday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m.
