EIU's Grugier-Hill Named FCS Preseason All-American

Eastern Illinois senior linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill was named an FCS preseason All-American for the second time this preseason as Phil Steele.com released its preseason FCS publication. Grugier-Hill was named to the second team after earlier this summer being named to the STATS preseason All-American third team. Grugier-Hill was named a preseason All-OVC selection at linebacker.

Last season Grugier-Hill earned first team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors leading the Panthers in tackles with 97 which ranked tenth in the OVC. He had four games with double digit tackles including a season high 19 tackles in a road win at Tennessee Tech. In the TTU game he had four tackles for loss earning OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished the year with 9.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Grugier-Hill has played all three seasons at EIU and enters the 2015 season with 167 tackles.

Grugier-Hill is one of nine OVC players listed on the Phil Steele preseason All-American team. The preseason publication also released its preseason Top 25 with the Panthers ranked 21st in the nation. EIU will enter the season nationally ranked for the third straight year as the Panthers are No. 25 in the FCS Coaches Top 25 poll. EIU was the first team also receiving votes in the STATS/Sports Network Top 25 rankings.

EIU's season opener is Sept. 3 at Western Illinois. Following a road game at Big Ten member Northwestern on Sept. 12, EIU opens the home portion of its schedule on Sept. 19 against Illinois State in the Mid-America Classic. Season and single game tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com