South Dakota’s Tyler Starr is Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year

South Dakota linebacker Tyler Starr is the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

The senior from Little Rock, Iowa led the MVFC in sacks (9.0), tackles for loss (15.0) and forced fumbles (4). He finished second on the team in tackles with 71. He also had an interception and was credited with four pass breakups.

Starr is the nation’s active career leader in forced fumbles (13), second in solo tackles for loss (39), and and fourth in total sacks (27).

The post season award is the first for a Coyote since Jordan Davis and Stefan Logan were North Central Conference MVPs in 2006.