Redbird football adds 4 FBS transfers

Illinois State football is looking to replace 20 seniors from the 2014 season. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – Illinois State football coach Brock Spack announced the addition of four mid-year transfers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs.

Stephen Amoako (DB, Oregon), James Henry (OL, Toledo), David Kenney (DL, Indiana) and Reggie Spearman (LB, Iowa) are the newest additions to the ISU football roster and each will be immediately eligible to play for the Redbirds next season.  Each has enrolled in classes and will take the field with their new teammates when spring practices commence in March.

Amoako was a three-year member of the Oregon football team, but did not see game action in 2014. He played in Oregon's 66-3 season-opening win over Nicholls State in 2013 after redshirting in 2012.

Henry was a three-year member of the Toledo football team but did not play in 2014. The Columbus, Ohio native was named to the 2011-12 "All-Muscle Milk" team.

Kenney was a two-year member of the Indiana football team and a former teammate of current ISU quarterback Tre Roberson. He did not see game action last year but played in seven games as a true freshman in 2013,

Spearman was a two-year member of the Iowa football team. He played in 21 games over those two seasons, with 49 total tackles, including 39 stops during his sophomore season.

Spack is looking to replace 20 seniors and 11 starters from their FCS runner-up season.

PODCAST: Listen to Tim Lewis's intterview with Spack on WJBC.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…