OGDEN, Utah - The Big Sky Conference has unveiled its Preseason All-Conference team for the 2016 football campaign, and the Thunderbirds have solid representation with five players named on the team.
The T-Birds had two players on the offensive end, two on the defensive side, and one special team player.
“It's a really great experience to be named to the All-Conference team with guys that I consider brothers,” SUU punter Tate Lewis said.
On the offensive end, wide receiver Mike Sharp and tight end Steve Wroblewski were SUU's representatives.
Sharp led the Thunderbirds last season with 889 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns. The 6'7'' Wroblewski pulled in 36 passes and two touchdowns during the course of the season.
On the defensive side, defensive lineman Chance Bearnson and outside linebacker Mike Needham were both named to the Preseason All-Conference team.
Bearnson finished last season with 13 tackles for loss and three and a half sacks. In total he compiled 46 tackles, 21 of which were solo and 25 assisted. Needham was named 2015 Linebacker of the Year by College Football Performance Awards last season, which is an award that all FBS and FCS players are eligible for. He was also named First Team All-Big Sky after compiling three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and two fumble recoveries returned for a TD.
SUU's special teams representation came in the form of punter Tate Lewis. Lewis played in all 12 games for SUU, and placed 26 punts inside the 20 yard line. During the 2015 campaign, Lewis was named to the 2015 CFPA FCS Punter Award Watch List, designating him as one of the top punters in the country.
“It's an honor to be named on the Preseason All-Conference Team in such a prestigious conference,” Lewis said.
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2016 Preseason All-Big Sky Conference Team
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Caleb Kidder, Montana
Offense
Quarterback: Case Cookus, Northern Arizona
Running Back: John Santiago, North Dakota (Unanimous)
Running Back: Chad Newell, Montana State
Fullback: Joe Protheroe, Cal Poly (Unanimous)
Tight End: Steven Wroblewski, Southern Utah
Guard: Cameron Young, Weber State
Guard: JP Flynn, Montana State
Center: Blake Porter, Northern Arizona
Tackle: Jacob Julian, Northern Arizona
Tackle: Calvin Steyn, Weber State
Wide Receiver: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington (Unanimous)
Wide Receiver: Emmanuel Butler, NAU
Wide Receiver: Mike Sharp, Southern Utah
Placekicker: Jonathan Gonzales, Portland State
Return Specialist: Ellis Onic II, Northern Colorado
Defense
Defensive End: Caleb Kidder, Montana
Defensive End: Davond Dade, Portland State
Defensive Tackle: Chance Bearnson, Southern Utah
Defensive Tackle: Chuntony Johnson, Northern Colorado
Outside Linebacker: Mike Needham, Southern Utah
Outside Linebacker: Mac Bignell, Montana State
Inside Linebacker: Emmett Tela, Weber State
Inside Linebacker: Manoah Pearson, Sacramento State
Cornerback: Xavier Coleman, Portland State
Cornerback: Taron Johnson, Weber State
Safety: Cole Reyes, North Dakota
Safety: Yamen Sanders, Montana
Punter: Tate Lewis, Southern Utah
Special Teams: Hakeem Deggs, Northern Colorado
