ST. LOUIS — WR Naseim Brantley of Western Illinois has been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Year, and QB Cade Chambers has been tabbed the league's Freshman of the Year.  They head a list of 25 student-athletes named to the 2022 Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team.  League coaches, sports information directors and a media panel selected the team.

Click Here for Full Team List (PDF)

In 10 games, Brantley had 53 catches, which ranked third-best in the MVFC, for a league-best 893 yards and nine touchdowns, which ranked 2nd in MVFC.  The junior transfer from Sacred Heart averaged 89.3 yards per game to lead the Conference, and he averaged 16.85 yards per catch, which was third-best in the MVFC.  Brantley had three touchdowns in the season-opening game against UT Martin.  Brantley is the first Western Illinois player to earn Newcomer of the Year honors since 1999.  Five other Leathernecks have claimed the league's top Newcomer award previously (the award started in 1994.)

Chambers was the only Valley freshman to be named to the Jerry Rice Watch List (and subsequently was one of the 30 finalists nationwide to make the list).  He finished with 938 passing yards and an 8:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.  Chambers had a strong starting debut with 162 passing yards and three total touchdowns against North Dakota State, and he produced five total touchdowns and 311 passing yards against Youngstown State while earning league Freshman of the Week honors.  Chambers is the first Sycamore to earn Freshman of the Year honors (the award started in 1999.)