NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Drew Himmelman, OT – Illinois State University
3.82 GPA – Exercise Science
Head Coach: Brock Spack | Athletics Director: Larry Lyons
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Jeri Beggs
A First Team All-American who has already graduated, Drew Himmelman's résumé at Illinois State places him among the best and brightest in the nation. The Geneseo, Illinois, native becomes the Redbirds' fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
After graduating in May 2019 with a 3.82 GPA in exercise science, Himmelman currently boasts a 4.00 GPA as a graduate student in kinesiology. The 2019 FCS ADA Academic All-Star is a two-time Academic All-MVFC selection, earning first team honors last season and second team accolades in 2018. Himmelman is a two-time MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award recipient and a one-time MVFC President's Council Academic Excellence Award winner. A recipient of the James R. Tague Endowed Scholarship, he is a three-time MVFC Honor Roll member.
A 2019 First Team All-American, Himmelman graded out at over 90 percent last season while helping All-American James Robinson record a conference-leading 1,899 rushing yards. The anchor of an offensive unit that averaged 345.8 yards per game of total offense in 2019, he helped lead Illinois State to the FCS Quarterfinals and a No. 7 final ranking. The game captain and three-year starter is a two-time All-MVFC performer, earning first team honors in 2019 and second team recognition in 2018.
In 2018, Himmelman was named a First Team Sophomore All-American after helping the Redbirds rank second in the MVFC with 241.5 rushing yards per game and fourth in total offense (418.1 ypg). In 2017, he was selected to the Freshman All-America Team and the MVFC All-Freshman Team. Himmelman has started every game in which he has played. The MVFC plans on playing a spring football schedule beginning in February. He received an invitation to the 2021 East-West Shrine Bowl.
A leader in the community, Himmelman has volunteered his time with ISU Women's Football Camp, Special Olympics of Illinois, 100 Caring Adults (welcoming students back to school), Reading Day at Calvary Christian School, Cedar Ridge Reading Night, Red Ribbon Week (guest speaker), BJHS Lunch, Benjamin Elementary Fridays, First Star and the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund 110% Donor Dinner.
