Phil Steele Preseason Teams
Eastern Illinois football is just 30 days away from the 2025 season opener as the Panthers prepare to host Dayton on Thursday, August 28 at O'Brien Field.
The Panthers had eight players named to the preseason OVC-Big South All-Conference team by Phil Steele with the publication listed
Cooper Willman as a first team selection at three different positions (Wide Receiver, All-Purpose, Punt Returner).
Joining Willman on the preseason list were second team selections
Alex Herrera (Tight End),
Nic DiSanto (Offensive Line),
Drake Van Hyfte (Defensive Line),
Phoenix Porter (Linebacker),
Brett Galletti (Long Snapper) and
Mason Miller (Punter).
Tienne Fridge wrapped up the preseason honorees a as a third team pick at defensive back.
EIU season tickets are now on sale online at
www.eiupanthers.com/fbtickets or call 217-581-2106. Single game tickets for the 2025 season go on sale on Friday.
Willman 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.
Herrera was a preseason selection at tight end. He played in only four games last season to use his redshirt season. In those four games, Herrera made an impact on the Panthers offense hauling in 12 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 12.5 yards per catch for the season.
DiSanto was a preseason selection on the offensive line. He started ten games last season missing two games due to injury. He started at both left and right tackle during the season with much of his time played at the right tackle position blocking for a 3,000 yard passer during the season.
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.
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.
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.
