Grigsby, a three-time first team All-American from 2002-04, was among 98 nominated players from the divisional ranks to go with 75 from FBS teams. The ballot was announced Wednesday.
Grigsby, a three-time Buck Buchanan Award finalist, holds the FCS career records for solo tackles (325) and total total tackles (550). He was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Year three times.
Other notable nominees include three former University of Illinois players in defensive tackle Moe Gardner and linebacker Dana Howard and Simeon Rice.
Two MVC championships coming to ISU: Illinois State will serve as host to a pair of Missouri Valley Conference Championships during the 2017-18 season, with the volleyball and women’s tennis individual championships heading to Normal.