ST. LOUIS – Illinois State standout linebacker Zeke Vandenburgh saved the best season for his last and turned it into an award-winning performance, as he was named the 2022 Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year on Monday by the league office. In addition, he joined four of his teammates as All-Missouri Valley Conference selections in the annual vote conducted by the league's head coaches, media members and sports information directors.
Vandenburgh's selection as MVFC Defensive Player of the Year marks the eighth time a Redbird has earned the award, and the first since 2006 when All-American linebacker Cameron Siskowic took home the top honor.