2015 MWC All-Conference Team Revealed
Which Mountain West Team had the most players on the list? The Mountain West Conference announced its preseason all conference team from the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. The preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the year was Colorado State Receiver Rashard Higgins.
Higgins, a junior, was a 2014 consensus first-team All-American after leading the country with 1,750 receiving yards and 17 touchdown receptions. The native of Dallas, Texas, is one of three players nationally to be named to the 2015 Maxwell Award Watch List, Biletnikoff Award Pre-Season Watch List and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List. He was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award in 2014.
Utah State Linebacker Kyler Fackrell was the conference’s pick for Defensive Player of the Year. Fackrell is returning to the Aggies’ starting lineup after missing all but one quarter of the 2014 season following a knee injury suffered in Utah State’s season-opening game at Tennessee. In 2013, Fackrell was a 2013 All-MW second-team honoree. He was third on Utah State in tackles with 82, while his 13 tackles for loss (minus-43 yards) led the team. Fackrell recorded five sacks, forced two fumbles and came away with one interception in 2013.
The Special Teams Player of the year was San Diego State Place Kicker Donny Hageman. Last year, Hageman converted 20-of-25 field goal attempts and was a perfect 37-for-37 on PATs in 2014. Hageman’s 80 percent accuracy on field goal kicks ranked second in the MW and tied for 30th in the FBS. He also averaged 62.7 yards per kickoff on 19 attempts (1,192 yards) with five touchbacks. From Sept. 6-Oct. 18, made eight straight field goals. His 97 points in 2014 ranked second on the team.
Here’s the rest of the MW’s Preseason All Conference Picks.
Offense
QB Chuckie Keeton Sr. Utah State
WR Rashard Higgins* Jr. Colorado State
WR Devonte Boyd** So. UNLV
RB Donnel Pumphrey* Jr. San Diego State
RB Marteze Waller** Sr. Fresno State
OL Marcus Henry* Sr. Boise State
OL Rees Odhiambo** Sr. Boise State
OL Alex Fifita Sr. Fresno State
OL Ben Clarke Sr. Hawaiʻi
OL Pearce Slater Sr. San Diego State
TE Steven Walker* Sr. Colorado State
Defense
DL Alex Hansen** Sr. Air Force
DL Kamalei Correa* Jr. Boise State
DL Ian Seau** Sr. Nevada
DL Eddie Yarbrough* Sr. Wyoming
LB Tanner Vallejo** Jr. Boise State
LB Kyler Fackrell Sr. Utah State
LB Nick Vigil*