ST. LOUIS – Four Illinois State defensive standouts were selected to the 2019 Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason defensive team Wednesday, as safety Luther Kirk and defensive back Devin Taylor were named to the first team while nose tackle John Ridgeway and return specialist Christian Uphoff were named honorable mention selections in the annual vote conducted by league coaches, media and sports information directors.
Counting both the offensive and defensive units (offensive unit announced yesterday), North Dakota State tops the league with nine total selections, including a league-best six on the first-team unit.