LAS VEGAS — The Boise State football team placed a program-record eight players on the 2018 Preseason All-Mountain West Team, on Tuesday.
Senior quarterback Brett Rypien, junior running back Alexander Mattison, junior offensive guard John Molchon and sophomore left tackle Ezra Cleveland represented the Broncos on offense, while senior defensive tackle David Moa, junior safety Kekoa Nawahine and sophomore STUD Curtis Weavers were voted to the defensive team.
8 Broncos named to Preseason All-untain West Team
In addition, sophomore cornerback Avery Williams was also named to the preseason all-conference team as a returner. Williams scored twice on punt return last year, when he also led the Mountain West in yards per punt return (11.2 ypr).
Rypien is the lone member of the offense that has received preseason all-conference recognition before. As a sophomore in 2016, he was tabbed that best quarterback in the conference by the media during the preseason; he then went on to earn First Team All-Mountain West honors at the end of the year after throwing for 3,646 yards and 24 touchdowns.
On defense, both Horton and Moa were named to the preseason all-conference team just last year. Horton eventually claimed First Team All-Mountain West honors at the end of the year, while Moa finished with second team honors.
With eight players landing on the 2018 Preseason All-Mountain West Team, the Broncos surpass their previous best-mark of seven set back in 2011. Quarterback Kellen Moore, running back Doug Martin, left tackle Nate Potter, center Thomas Byrd, defensive tackle Billy Winn, defensive end Shea McClellin and safety George Iloka all received the honor prior to Boise State's debut season in the Mountain West.
2018 Preseason All-Mountain West Team
Offensive Player of the Year: Brett Rypien (QB, Boise State)
Defensive Player of the Year: Andrew Wingard (DB, Wyoming)
Special Teams Player of the Year: Avery Williams (KR/PR, Boise State)
Offense
QB - Brett Rypien, Boise State
RB - Alexander Mattison, Boise State
RB - Lexington Thomas, UNLV
WR - Keesean Johnson,Fresno State
WR - McLane Mannix, Nevada
TE - Dax Raymond, Utah State
OL - Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
OL - John Molchon, Boise State
OL - Aaron Jenkins, Utah State
OL - Keith Ismael, San Diego State
OL - Tyler Roemer, San Diego State
Defense
DL - David Moa, Boise State
DL - Curtis Weaver, Boise State
DL - Youhanna Ghaifan, Wyoming
DL - Carl Granderson, Wyoming
LB - Jeffrey Allison, Fresno State
LB - Jahlani Tavai, Hawai'i
LB - Malik Reed, Nevada
DB - Tyler Horton, Boise State
DB - Dameon Baber, Nevada
DB - Tariq Thompson, San Diego State
DB - Andrew Wingard, Wyoming
Special Teams
P - Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado State
PK - Dominik Eberle, Utah State
KR/PR - Avery Williams, Boise State