Eastern Illinois had six players listed among the preseason players to watch as the OVC – Big South Football Association released its defensive players to watch for the 2025 season as part of its preseason information for the week.
 
The league will release its preseason predicted order of finish on Wednesday.  The OVC-Big South virtual football media day will then take place on Thursday.
 
Drake Van Hyfte, Phoenix Porter, Tienne Fridge, Brett Galletti, Mason Miller and Cooper Willman were all named defensive preseason players to watch.
 
Van Hyfte was selected as a preseason player to watch on the defensive line.  Two years ago, he led the Panthers in tackles for loss.  Last season he suffered an injury in the middle portion of the season which hampered some of his production.  He did finish the season with 25 tackles including five tackles for loss and one sack. 
 
Porter played in all 12 games last season at linebacker and was listed as a player to watch at the position.   He finished second on the team with 68 tackles with two games with nine tackles.  He finished the year with three tackles for loss and two pass break-ups. 
 
Fridge was a preseason player to watch as a defensive back.   Fridge played in all 12 games last season coming on as a starter at the nickel position in the final games of the season.  He made 17 tackles with two pass break-ups. Fridge was selected a team-captain for the 2025 season.
 
Galletti was selected as a player to watch for special teams as a long snapper.  He appeared in 11 games last season taking over all long snapping duties midway through the season.  Galletti was an Academic All-District selection last year.
 
Miller was an NAIA Third Team All-American last season punting at Marian University in Indiana.  He led the NAIA in punting at 45.26 yards per punt which set the school single season record.  He was twice named an All-MFSA Midwest League selection during his time at Marian as he punted for the program for five seasons. 
 
Willman was named a preseason player to watch at punt returner after being listed twice on Monday on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver and all-purpose player.  He was a first team All-Conference selection last season at both wide receiver and all-purpose player.  At wide receiver he set the EIU single game record for receiving yards in a game with a 291-yard effort against Gardner-Webb on 11 catches with three touchdowns.  He ended the year with 66 receptions for 955 yards and eight touchdowns.  Willman served as the Panthers primary punt returner and handled kickoff returns late in the season. 
 
Jay Pearson, Alex Herrera, Cooper Willman and Nic DiSanto were all featured on the offensive preseason players to watch list on Monday.
 
EIU opens the 2025 season on Thursday, August 28 hosting Dayton at O'Brien Field with a 6 p.m. start.  That will be the first of six home games this season with season tickets currently on sale at www.eiupanthers.com/fbtickets