Robinson, Himmelman Named To HERO Sports FCS Preseason All-America Team

NORMAL, Ill. – A pair of Illinois State football standouts have landed on the HERO Sports 2018 FCS Preseason All-America Team, as running back James Robinson and offensive tackle Drew Himmelman were honored by the organization Tuesday. Robinson was tabbed as a second-team selection, while Himmelman was named a third-team pick.

In addition, the Redbirds were ranked No. 12 in the annual HERO Sports FCS Top 25 preseason poll, also released Tuesday. ISU joined preseason favorite and defending national champion North Dakota State (No. 1), South Dakota State (No. 5), Northern Iowa (No. 13) and Youngstown State (No. 20) as Missouri Valley Football Conference representatives in the preseason poll.

Robinson was tabbed as a sophomore All-American by HERO Sports following the 2017 season, after he ranked second in the MVFC and No. 11 in the FCS in rushing touchdowns (12) and third in the conference in rushing yards (933). The Rockford, Illinois, native was named an All-MVFC First Team selection and posted six games with 80 yards or more, while scoring multiple touchdowns in four contests for the Redbirds. Robinson was the team's leading rusher with 165 attempts, averaged 5.7 yards per carry (second-best in MVFC) and rushed for career-high 193 yards in a victory over nationally-ranked South Dakota.

Himmelman was selected as a freshman All-American by HERO Sports last season, after he started all nine games he played in at left tackle for the Redbirds as a redshirt freshman. The Geneseo, Illinois, native was an instrumental part of ISU's offensive front that had the fourth-best rushing attack in the MVFC and paved the way for Robinson's breakout season.

Illinois State opens the 2018 slate on Saturday, Sept. 1 against St. Xavier. Redbird Football season tickets are available for purchase now online at GoRedbirds.com/Tickets or by contacting the ISU Athletics Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000. Partial-season ticket plans are also available, including the Spack Pack (pick any two games) and the new Prairie State Pack (the three games against in-state opponents Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Southern Illinois).

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