Southwest Minnesota State University senior safety Tyler Reed was named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, South Division Defensive Preseason Player of the Year.  In addition, SMSU was picked 6th out of 7 teams in the South Division and 11th out of 14 teams overall by the coaches in the preseason polls.

Reed, a 6-3, 211-pound senior from Ottumwa, Iowa, was named first team all-region by Daktronics and Football Gazette, as well as first team All-NSIC last fall after leading the Mustangs with 101 tackles and three interceptions.  He also had five pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.  His interception return of 100 yards against Mary was the longest touchdown in school history.  Reed enters his final year at SMSU with 221 career tackles.

The NSIC expanded to a 14-team league on July 1st.  The NSIC football schedule will be broken into two seven-team divisions (north/south).  Each team will play ten conference games that will count towards the NSIC overall champion as well as six divisional games that will count towards the NSIC North/South Championships.  In all, three league championships will be awarded (Overall Champion, North Division Champion, South Division Champion).  Ties will not be broken for overall or division champions.

New member Minnesota Duluth was chosen as the overall favorite in the coaches poll, receiving seven first place votes for a total of 151 points.  Winona State was a close second with 148 points and four first place votes.  SMSU totaled 46 points in its 11th-place finish.  WSU was also chosen as the preseason favorite in the South Division, totaling 35 points and five first place votes.  SMSU had 10 points.  UMD was picked to win the North Division.

Wayne State quarterback Silas Fluellen was honored with Reed by the South Division, as the South Division Offensive Preseason Player of the Year.  Minnesota Duluth quarterback Ted Schlafke and Mary linebacker Shawn Melland were honored as North Division Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.