Redbirds Picked Fourth; Five Named To Preseason MVFC Team

ST. LOUIS – The 2021 football season is just over two weeks away from getting started and now we know how the Missouri Valley Football Conference coaches expect it to shake out, as the league announced its annual preseason poll and team Wednesday with the Redbirds landing in the No. 4 spot.

Defending national champion North Dakota State was been tabbed as the MVFC pre-season favorite in a poll conducted by league coaches to no one's surprise. NDSU received 101 points in the coaches vote to edge UNI (92) and South Dakota State (91). Illinois State (80) and Southern Illinois (68) rounded out the Top 5. South Dakota (52) was next, followed by the newest member of the Conference, North Dakota (39), for seventh. Youngstown State (39), Missouri State (23) and Western Illinois (23) rounded out the voting.

Five Redbirds also made the 2021 MVFC Preseason Team, led by returning All-American left tackle Drew Himmelman. Named one of 12 finalists for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy®, Himmelman earned All-America and First-Team All- MVFC following the 2019 season and graded out at over 90 percent while helping current NFL Rookie of the Year finalist James Robinson record a conference-leading 1,899 rushing yards.

Fullback Timothy McCloyn II, defensive tackle John Ridgeway, linebacker Zeke Vandenburgh and cornerback Charles Woods were also recognized as honorable mention selections. 

The Redbirds are set to open the 2021 campaign on Saturday, Feb. 20, in Springfield, Missouri, against the Missouri State Bears.

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