BELLEVUE, Wash. — Missouri State defensive back Montrae Braswell was recognized Wednesday on the Hero Sports FCS Sophomore All-American Football Team.
Braswell, a cornerback from Avon Park, Fla., was a first-team selection on the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Team this season and represents a Bears program that claimed a share of the MVFC title for the first time in 30 seasons.
This spring, he racked up 41 tackles, 35 solo stops and seven passes defended to help MSU to a 5-1 league mark and trip to the NCAA FCS Playoffs. He earned MVFC Defensive Player of the Week after MSU’s win at No. 21 South Dakota on March 13 in which he had 6 solo tackles and scored two touchdowns, including a 100-yard kickoff return.
He shared the conference lead with three interceptions on the year and recorded a “pick six” interception in back-to-back road wins over ranked foes in wins at South Dakota and Northern Iowa. He also recorded a season-high eight tackles in the Bears win over No. 10 Southern Illinois and finished the year as the league’s top kickoff returner (31.0).
Braswell is one of seven MVFC Players on the Hero Sports Sophomore All-American Team, but the only player on the defensive side of the ball.
Coach Bobby Petrino, who was named MVFC Coach of the Year, helped MSU to a final national ranking of 13 in both the AFCA and STATS Perform FCS Top 25 polls. The Bears lost to fellow MVFC co-champion North Dakota in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs in their first postseason appearance since 1990.
Bears fans may contact Duane Miller by phone at (417) 836-8899 or via email DuaneMiller@missouristate.edu to reserve season tickets for the upcoming fall campaign. Missouri State begins the 2021 season at Oklahoma State on Sept. 4 before its home opener vs. UCA on Sept. 11 at Robert W. Plaster Stadium.
