Three Redbirds selected to FCS Preseason All-America Team

Posted on August 1, 2016

AnthonyWarrum630By ISU Sports Information

PHILADELPHIA – Coming off back-to-back shares of the Missouri Valley Football Conference title and playoff appearances, a trio of three Illinois State football standouts have earned a spot on the 2016 STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team announced Monday.

Seniors Mark Spelman, Kyle Avaloy and Anthony Warrum were each named to the annual list, with Spelman picked for the second team and Avaloy and Warrum earning third-team selections.

Spelman was a First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection at center in 2015 and started all 13 games at center for the Redbirds, who advanced to the FCS quarterfinals for the third time in the last four seasons. The Brookfield, Wisconsin, native led the offensive line unit which paved the way for First-Team All-American and MVFC Offensive Player of the Year Marshaun Coprich, who led the MVFC in rushing yards (1,967), touchdowns (23), yards per game (151.3), all-purpose yards per game (166.4) and scoring (11.2).

Avaloy was a Second Team All-MVFC selection at left guard and also started all 13 games for the Redbirds just to the left of Spelman. The Lombard, Illinois, native was named MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week Nov. 16, for his effort in helping Coprich earn MVFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after leading the country with 254 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a victory against Southern Illinois.

Warrum earned Third-Team All-America honors from Associated Press and STATS FCS following the 2015 season and was also named to the College Sporting News 2015 Fabulous Fifty FCS All-America Team.  A First Team All-MVFC pick at wide receiver, the Fishers, Indiana, native set an Illinois State single-season record and led the MVFC with 15 receiving touchdowns, and ranked second in the league with 1,290 yards on 58 receptions.  Warrum’s name also appeared near the top of several national rankings at the end of the year, as he finished the season ranked No. 2 in receiving touchdowns (15) and yards per reception (22.2), No. 4 in receiving yards (1,290) and No. 8 in receiving yards per game (99.2) among all receivers in FCS football.

Illinois State will begin its defense of the MVFC title and begin its quest for a return to the FCS title game Aug. 7, when the Redbirds start fall training camp.  ISU opens the 2016 season at Hancock Stadium Saturday, Sept. 3, against Valparaiso at 6 p.m.

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