STATS Perform Preseason All-American Release & Team
Eastern Illinois senior linebacker
Elijawah Tolbert has been named a preseason third team All-American as released by STATS Perform.
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Tolbert is a two-time first team All-Conference selection at linebacker earning All-OVC honors in 2022 and then All-Big South/OVC honors last season.
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He helped lead a defensive unit that ranked second in the FCS in turnovers gained last season while he earned FCS National Defensive Player of the Week honors after the season opening shutout win against Indiana State.  He led the Panthers in tackles with 87 which ranked fourth in the Big South/OVC. Tolbert added seven tackles for loss. He made a season high 12 tackles against Northwestern State adding 11 tackle efforts against Indiana State, Bowling Green and Tennessee State.
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As a sophomore in 2022, Tolbert made 70 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions.
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EIU opened fall camp today and plays it season opener on Thursday, August 29 at Illinois.
