ISU's Dave Rivas and Tommie Westbrook and Drake's Anthony Swope are all products of Chicago's Gordon Tech High School.
A Sixth Sense?
Since 2001, Illinois State has been the home of the Gateway Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Year award. Boomer Grigsby, the league's only three-time winner, won the award in 2002, 2003 and 2004, while Brent Hawkins followed suit in 2005, and Cameron Siskowic claimed the honor in 2006. This season, Redbird senior linebacker Kye Stewart is the top returning tackler in the Gateway Football Conference with 126 stops in 2006. So, it's only sensible that Stewart would be the favorite for the award this season, which would give the Redbirds six straight.
Hitting the Bull's-eye
It is unknown if his talents translate to the game of darts, but it has seemed that quarterback Luke Drone has been able to connect with his receivers more often than not. Entering the 2007 season, Drone has 418 completions - the third most all-time in ISU history. The Mt. Carmel, Ill., native is only 136 completions from second in the school annals and is a threat to pass John Coppens (554) on the list, as he has completed more than 200 passes in each of the last two seasons.
Back in the Nest
After beginning his career as one of the most productive freshman wide receivers in school history, Kevett Mickle returns to the Illinois State football program after completing his associate's degree at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla. Mickle was a deep threat in his first stint as a Redbird, but left the school due to academic reasons after the 2004 season. During his first year in a Redbird uniform, the Orlando, Fla., native caught 34 catches for 529 yards, both good for second-best on the team. His catch and yard totals are also the most by an Illinois State freshman in a season, as he garnered All-Gateway Newcomer team recognition.
In Rare Company
Illinois State has proven that it can help student-athletes leap into the professional ranks, as the Redbirds have had a player selected in each of the last three NFL Drafts. Only one other school in the FCS Division, Cal Poly, has sent as many players to the NFL during that same time span. Boomer Grigsby (5th Round, Kansas City), Brent Hawkins (5th Round, Jacksonville) and Laurént Robinson (3rd Round, Atlanta) are the recent Redbird NFL draft choices.
The I-Pass
The Redbird offense won't speed up the lines at toll booths, but it has been blowing through Gateway football stadiums with regularity the last three seasons. The Redbirds led the Gateway in 2006 with 227.8 passing yards per game, marking the third-straight season in which the Redbirds have led the conference in passing offense. If ISU owns the league's top passing offense again this season, it would become only the second team to accomplish the feat, joining Northern Iowa.
All-America U
ISU has produced at least one all-American player in 21 of its last 24 seasons. Over the last seven seasons, 29 players from 12 different positions have been honored. Linebacker Kye Stewart was a consensus preseason all-America selection prior to the 2007 season.
Doubting Thomas? Well, Don't
In 2006, he lined up at the defensive tackle position, so there is reason to be skeptical that Illinois State's Jarek Thomas had two interceptions on the year. But, it's true. Thomas' two interceptions were the most by a Redbird defensive lineman since 1974, when Rick Spain also snagged a pair of passes. Thomas intercepted a shovel pass against Central Arkansas, but later in the season, he got the ultimate defensive lineman's dream with an interception returned for a touchdown against Youngstown State. This season, Thomas will be making the move to defensive end.
It is in His Sights
Quarterback Luke Drone has thrown for over 2,900 yards in each of the last two seasons. If he equals or surpasses that feat, Drone will become the most prolific passer in Illinois State history. Drone needs 2,350 yards through the air to knock former Redbird Kevin Glenn (8,251) from the top spot.
The Three Degrees of St-Pierre
While junior Jonathan St-Pierre is about to begin his second season in Redbird uniform, he has already walked across the stage to receive one degree, a bachelor's in economics from Illinois State. St-Pierre is on pace to finish with three collegiate degrees by the time the Longueuil, Quebec native leaves ISU next year. He will complete two courses at Miami (Fla.), where he began his college career, next summer to complete a bachelor's in business administration. This year, he has started the curriculum for his master's in economics and should have tht completed in May 2009.
The Dirty Dozen
Senior linebacker Kye Stewart needs just 51 tackles to become the 12th player in Illinois State history to accumulate 300 or more tackles in a career. He currently ranks No. 14 in Redbird history and needs 21 stops to move into sole possession of 12th place.
Getting Some Picks on Route 66
With Hancock Stadium located along nostalgic Route 66, the Redbird defense had a few kicks in 2006. The Redbirds finished the season with 17 interceptions, including three which were returned for touchdowns. The 17 picks were the highest total by an ISU defense since 1989.
Denver Johnson - a Man of Honor
As the Redbirds opened their 2007 training camp, head coach Denver Johnson earned recognition for his hard work as the Redbirds' mentor. Johnson was honored by the All-American Football Foundation along with three other coaches, who all received the prestigious Johnny Vaught Head Coach Award. Johnson led the Redbirds to their third trip to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs in 2006, while also being a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award last season.
Good Chance for a Grand
ISU head coach Denver Johnson has had a 1,000-yard rusher in nine of the 10 seasons in which he has been a head coach, both at Illinois State and Murray State. Last year was no exception, as Pierre Rembert rushed for a school-record 1,743 yards. At this point it is unknown who will emerge for the Redbirds in the backfield, but there is a good chance that they will be a 1,000-yard rusher.
Captain All-America
In 2006, Illinois State linebacker Kye Stewart was one of three Redbird linebacker with 100-plus tackles. But with the graduation of Niall Campbell and Cameron Siskowic, Stewart is the lone returnee to anchor the Redbirds' linebacking corps. As a result, the Nashville, Tenn., native was named to the All-Gateway Preseason Team, as well as a preseason all-American by two different organizations. Stewart was selected to the 2007 Sports Network Preseason FCS All-America First Team, while being named to the 2007 College Sporting News Preseason All-America First Team.
He Really is a Drone
In the bee world, drones are dubbed "worker bees" because of their consistent work ethic. In Redbird football, quarterback Luke Drone is of the same mold. The avid student of game film, Drone is by far the most efficient signal caller in school history. For his career, Drone has posted a passing efficiency rating of 147.2, which is nearly 20 points higher than the next highest ISU quarterback.
Put Up Your Dukes
Sylvester Stallone might have put the "Rocky" series to rest finally after six editions, but linebackers Bill Hronec and Tommie Westbrook might be ample replacements if a seventh movie were to be made. While at Chicago's Mt. Carmel High School, Hronec was not only an all-conference football player, but was quite a boxer, owning a 13-2 record with nine knockouts as a heavyweight on the school's boxing team. Westbrook, a product of Gordon Tech High School, also took up boxing during his senior year, training and sparring for two-to-three hours a day.
Applying the Full Nelson
That's exactly what free safety Tom Nelson did to opposing quarterbacks in 2006, as he finished the season with a team-high four interceptions. The 2005 Gateway Freshman of the Year also led the Redbirds with 10 pass break-ups, while posting 42 tackles on the season. Nelson was named to the 2007 All-Gateway Preseason Team.
Build it, and They Will Come
Hancock Stadium had a "field of dreams" feel to it during the 2006 season. Twice, the Redbirds drew crowds larger than capacity - something that hadn't happened on ISU's campus in over 35 years. Against Southern Illinois, the 'Birds drew a crowd of 17,237, the sixth-largest in the facility's history. Two weeks later, 15,372 saw the Redbirds face Youngstown State, the ninth-highest attendance total.
Same Faces, New Places
Since the taking the field last season, a few Redbirds have made some position changes. Shifts in the defense include Jesse Caesar, who moved from cornerback to strong safety, and Jarek Thomas, who moved outside to an end position on the defensive line. Both Jermaine Malcolm and Andrew Paschal moved from wide receiver to defensive back.
A Leader On-and-Off the Field
Linebacker Kye Stewart has shown his prowess on the football field, but it is also his ability to lead his peers off the gridiron that Illinois State football fans should stand up and clap for, as Stewart was selected from a pool of 1,300 top student-athletes from across the country to represent ISU at the 2007 annual NCAA Leadership Conference, LeaderSHAPE. A 2006 All-Gateway First-Team selection, Stewart was one of 356 student-athletes from around the country that attended the event held in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., from May 27-31. Stewart was the second-straight Redbird football student-athlete to attend the conference, as senior quarterback Luke Drone was selected in 2006.
Measuring Up the Turf
During the offseason, Hancock Stadium received an upgrade with a new FieldTurf playing surface and sub-surface. The old turf, along with the concrete apron, and the drainage system, were excavated prior to the installation. To begin the project, 6,200 tons of crushed rock was hauled in to provide the foundation. While the base was laid, 1.3 miles of drainage pipe was also installed. Once the 103,600 square-feet of turf was laid, 1,200 tons of a sand/rubber mixture was worked into the playing surface to provide the cushioned feel.
Transferable
Since 1993, when the NCAA rules changed to allow players immediate eligibility at the FCS level, Illinois State has had 49 players transfer from FBS schools. ISU's FBS transfers on this year's roster include: Adam Blankenship (DL, Nebraska); Kelvin Chandler (WR, Pittsburgh); Parrish Fisher (RB, Kansas State); Brandon Joyce (OL, Indiana); Mitchell Moore (RB, Iowa State); Jonathan St-Pierre (OL, Miami (Fla.)); and Nick Williams (DL, Pittsburgh).
Gimmie a I-A ... er, FBS
When the Redbirds travel to Missouri on Sept. 22, it will be the 13th-straight season in which Illinois State has played a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent. The last time the 'Birds didn't schedule an FBS game was in 1994. It will also mark ISU's third-straight season facing a team from the Big 12, after the 'Birds played at Iowa State in 2005 and at Kansas State in 2006.
Drone's Hometown Spreading the Red
Luke Drone has appreciated all the support that members of his hometown, Mt. Carmel, Ill., have provided during his time at Illinois State. Now, if the locals can't make it to all of the Redbirds' games this season, they can follow Drone and the rest of the `Birds on WSJD 100.5 FM (Mt. Carmel), as the station became the newest member of the Redbird Radio Network in 2007. The station joins WBIG-AM (Aurora/Chicagoland), the flagship station of WJBC-AM (Bloomington, Ill.) and WJEZ-FM of Dwight, Ill.
Notable Newcomers
Since the Gateway began recognizing an all-newcomer team in 1994, 45 Redbirds have been cited for achievement in their first season. In 2006, defensive lineman Adam Blankenship and offensive linemen Brandon Joyce and Jonathan St-Pierre added their names to the list.
Another One Bites the Dust
With victories last season over Eastern Illinois (twice) and Southern Illinois, the Redbirds have posted at least one victory over a ranked foe in nine of the last 10 seasons. The Redbirds should have plenty of opportunities again this season with five opponents ranked in the preseason polls.
Cleaning the State
With the Redbirds' 24-13 win at Eastern Illinois in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs last season, it marked the fourth victory over schools from the state of Illinois in 2006. Earlier in the year, the 'Birds downed Southern Illinois, 37-10, defeated Eastern Illinois, 44-30, in the regular season, and dropped Western Illinois, 27-14. The four Redbird victories over Illinois schools were the most in-state wins by ISU since 1968, when the Redbirds downed Illinois Wesleyan, Illinois-Chicago, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Bradley all in the same season.
Getting to the League
Not only have the Redbirds had a player drafted into the NFL in each of the last three years, but currently, there are six former Illinois State players in the NFL and two more in the Canadian Football League. Former Redbirds in the NFL include: Aveion Cason (RB, Detroit Lions), Sha-Ron Edwards (RB, Atlanta Falcons), Boomer Grigsby (FB, Kansas City Chiefs), Brent Hawkins (DE, Jacksonville Jaguars), Laurént Robinson (WR, Atlanta Falcons) and Cameron Siskowic (LB, Minnesota Vikings). In the CFL, former Redbird teammates Kevin Glenn (QB) and Sam Young (DB) are teammates again with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The NFL is in their Blood
Redshirt-freshman quarterback Preston Earl and senior offensive lineman Brandon Joyce are both the offspring of former NFL players. Earl's father, Robin, was a fullback with the Chicago Bears from 1977-82. Joyce's dad, Terry, punted for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1976 and 1977 seasons. In addition, true-freshman quarterback Drew Kiel's uncle, Blair, played in the NFL from 1984-91 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984), Indianapolis Colts (1986-87) and Green Bay Packers (1988, 1990-91).
Hunting in Packs
"Hunting in Packs" has been the mantra of the Illinois State defense under head coach Denver Johnson and the statistics showcase that philosophy. Since 2002, the 'Birds have had at least two defenders post 100 or more tackles in every season but one, missing the milestone by only eight stops. In 2006, each of the three ISU linebackers collected 100-plus hits with Cameron Siskowic totalled 154, Kye Stewart had 126 and Niall Campbell finished with 106.
Managing Miscues
For the second-straight season, Illinois State finished the 2006 campaign with more turnovers forced than allowed. The Redbirds were +5 in turnovers in 2006, after posting a +6 turnover rating during the 2005 season. The two back-to-back positive turnover ratios are the first for ISU in the Denver Johnson era.
These 'Birds Can Bear Down
There is no doubt that on Sundays, Bloomington-Normal is smack-dab in the middle of Chicago Bear territory. So, as a result, it is common to see fans of both the Redbirds and the Bears. The Illinois State locker room is no exception. Head coach Denver Johnson and assistant coach Mike Menefee were college teammates with Bear head coach Lovie Smith at Tulsa. At New Mexico, assistant coach Holmon Wiggins and Bear pro-bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher played together for the Lobos. Junior offensive lineman Jonathan St-Pierre was a roommate of return specialist Devin Hester, when St-Pierre attended Miami (Fla.), and Preston Earl's dad, Robin, played for the Bears in the late 1970s.
Hail Caesar!
When Jesse Caesar returned an Eastern Illinois interception 45 yards for a game-securing touchdown in the 2006 NCAA FCS Playoffs, it marked his second-career defensive touchdown. Caesar, who returned a fumble 69 yards for a score at Iowa State in 2005, will be making the move from cornerback to strong safety this season.
The Young Guns
The ISU coaching staff is excited about its young defensive corners, but despite a wealth of talent and potential, experience is lacking. Jason Tate is the only cornerback to have previously seen time on the job in a Redbird uniform. The sophomore played in all 13 games last season, but didn't record a start. Chris Garrett went through spring practice with the Redbirds after transferring from Diablo Valley College and Kelvyn Hemphill has a year in the system after sitting out 2006 as a redshirt.
