2015 Arch Awards: Who was the MVP of St. Louis Sports This Year?

Sep 12, 2015; Jonesboro, AR, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves wide receiver Dijon Pachal (84) fights for the ball as Missouri Tigers linebacker Kentrell Brothers (10) strips it for an interception in the fourth quarter at ASU Stadium. Missouri defeated Arkansas State 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri Tigers

There weren’t too many bright spots on a Mizzou team that went 5-7 in 2015. Brothers, the third-year starter at weakside linebacker, was a completely different story and was possibly the most valuable defensive player in the nation. Through 12 games, Brothers led the entire Football Bowl Subdivision in total tackles with 152 (19 more than Louisiana-Monroe’s Hunter Kissinger, who finished second). Those 152 tackles were enough to earn him the fourth spot on Mizzou’s all-time single-season tackles leaderboard. Brothers also contributed 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, and an unbelievable three blocked kicks.

Brothers obviously was an extremely important presence on the Tigers’ defense for the entirety of the year, and he definitely vaulted himself into first-round consideration for next spring’s NFL Draft with his spectacular season. It’s unfortunate that Brothers’ individual success didn’t result in more success for the team, but his video game-like production at linebacker this year earns him the nod as the Tigers’ nominee for St. Louis MVP.

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