HEROSPORTS
  • Home
  • FCS
    • FCS Home
    • Big South-OVC
    • Big Sky
    • CAA
    • Ivy
    • MEAC
    • MVFC
    • NEC
    • Patriot
    • Pioneer
    • SoCon
    • Southland
    • SWAC
    • UAC
  • FBS
    • FBS Home
    • AAC Football
    • CUSA Football
    • MAC Football
    • Mountain West Football
    • Sun Belt Football
  • College Basketball
  • Register at BetMGM
  • BetMGM Promotions
  • More
    • About HERO Sports
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • FCS
    • FCS Home
    • Big South-OVC
    • Big Sky
    • CAA
    • Ivy
    • MEAC
    • MVFC
    • NEC
    • Patriot
    • Pioneer
    • SoCon
    • Southland
    • SWAC
    • UAC
  • FBS
    • FBS Home
    • AAC Football
    • CUSA Football
    • MAC Football
    • Mountain West Football
    • Sun Belt Football
  • College Basketball
  • Register at BetMGM
  • BetMGM Promotions
  • More
    • About HERO Sports
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
HEROSPORTS
No Result
View All Result

FCS: Top 5 Returning MVFC Defensive Backs in 2018, Led by NDSU’s Robbie Grimsley

HERO Sports by HERO Sports
August 7, 2018
FCS: Top 5 Returning MVFC Defensive Backs in 2018, Led by NDSU’s Robbie Grimsley

The Missouri Valley Football Conference has consistently been at the top of the FCS in the 2010s. While a lot of key players from last year have moved on to the pros, there’s still a ton of talent in the Valley.

As the season nears, we’ll rank the top five returners at each position group. Today, we give you the defensive backs.

[divider]
More FCS Countdown Content
The Best Player in FCS Who Wears Each Number, 1-99
Team-by-team previews
[divider]

MORE TOP 5: QB | WR | TE | RB | OL | LB | DB | DL

[divider]

5. Andrew Gray, South Dakota

Andrew Gray, South DakotaEver since he was inserted into the starting lineup in the last eight games of his sophomore season in 2016, Gray has been a leader for the USD defense at safety. He started all 13 games last year and had a team-high 89 tackles, 50 of which were solo.

Gray made some plays in the backfield with 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack and also showed some juice with the ball in his hand, setting a program record with a 97-yard pick six against Southern Illinois. Add in five pass breakups and it's no wonder he was named on the All-MVFC Second Team. Gray, along with the other four on this list, were all named on the Valley’s preseason All-Conference First Team.

[divider]

4. Justin Fitzpatrick, Western Illinois

Justin Fitzpatrick, Western IllinoisThe Leathernecks have elite players at every level on their defense. Fitzpatrick is the leader in the secondary at safety. A 2017 All-Conference Second Team selection, Fitzpatrick tied for the conference lead with five interceptions. He totaled 57 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Fitzpatrick, now a senior, is a busy guy. He’s also on the Leathernecks baseball team and started 31 games this spring in the outfield, finishing with 13 hits and five RBI.

[divider]

3. Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois

Jeremy Chinn, Southern IllinoisChinn has 17 starts under his belt in just two years on campus. Six of those came in 2016 in a year that saw MVFC All-Newcomer Team and HERO Sports Freshman All-American First Team honors. Last year, he made our Sophomore All-American Team and the All-Conference Second Team.

Chinn led the Salukis with 66 tackles from his safety position. He snagged three interceptions, had six pass breakups while forcing four fumbles and recovering one. There’s still two more years of Chinn inflicting damage in the MVFC, and he’s only going to get better.

[divider]

2. Jordan Brown, South Dakota State

Jordan Brown, South Dakota StateBrown is entering his third year as a starter and expects to have a huge senior season as the top cornerback in the Valley. An All-Conference First Team pick last year, Brown recorded nine pass breakups and grabbed three interceptions. He also forced three fumbles and totaled 72 tackles.

Brown has great size on the outside at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds. The Arizona native is a veteran on an SDSU defense that should be a solid unit in 2018. He’s a difference-maker and on HERO Sports’ preseason All-American Third Team.

[divider]

1. Robbie Grimsley, North Dakota State

Robbie Grimsley, North Dakota StateGrimsley was thrown into the fire at Montana as a true freshman to start his career. He hasn't lost his spot at strong safety since and started 10 games in 2015 as an All-MVFC Newcomer Team selection. More awards came in 2016 as he was named to the All-Conference First Team. Then last year came another Valley First Team honor and a STATS All-American Second Team nod.

The HERO Sports preseason Second Team All-American looks to finish his illustrious career strong as he’s already totaled career numbers of 221 tackles and 11 interceptions. 

[divider]

NEXT: The Best Traditions in the FCS

Previous Post

FCS Kickoff Countdown: 18 Days, the Best Player in FCS Football that Wears No. 18

Next Post

Jerry Rice: The Best Player in NFL History

Next Post
Jerry Rice: The Best Player in NFL History

Jerry Rice: The Best Player in NFL History

No Result
View All Result

Recent Posts

  • Doug Knuth Is Out As AD At Southern Utah University
  • 2025 FCS Jersey Countdown: The Best Returning Player For Each Number
  • Sacramento State To FBS: Hornets’ Hopes To Move Up Hits Roadblock

HERO Sports is the go-to website for FBS and FCS football news, analysis, and predictions.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US)
877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY)
1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR)

For new customer offers, Bonus Bets expire in seven days. One New Customer Offer only. Add'l terms. For existing customers, Bonus Bets expire in seven days. Add'l terms.

21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Welcome Offer Bet $10, $150 in Bonus Bets

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (AVAILABLE IN THE US). 21+ ONLY. CO, MI, NJ, PA, WV ONLY. PLEASE GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY. SEE BETMGM.COM FOR TERMS. THIS PROMOTIONAL OFFER IS FOR NEW PLAYERS ONLY. SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. BONUS BETS ARE NON-WITHDRAWABLE. US PROMOTIONAL OFFERS NOT AVAILABLE IN MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW YORK, ONTARIO AND PUERTO RICO.

  • About HERO Sports
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 HERO SPORTS.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • FCS
    • FCS Home
    • Big South-OVC
    • Big Sky
    • CAA
    • Ivy
    • MEAC
    • MVFC
    • NEC
    • Patriot
    • Pioneer
    • SoCon
    • Southland
    • SWAC
    • UAC
  • FBS
    • FBS Home
    • AAC Football
    • CUSA Football
    • MAC Football
    • Mountain West Football
    • Sun Belt Football
  • College Basketball
  • Register at BetMGM
  • BetMGM Promotions
  • More
    • About HERO Sports
    • Contact

© 2022 HERO SPORTS.