SPOKANE, Wash. -- Thunderbird center Zach Larsen has been named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference team, the league announced Monday morning as part of the Big Sky Kickoff. 

"He's been a tremendous leader," SUU head coach Demario Warren said. "He's done everything we've asked of him, and gone above and beyond even my expectations of who he is. He came to me right after the season and wanted to know what he could do to make sure we didn't have another season like last year. He's committed, and he was really concentrated on how to get his teammates to be committed as well. We're really excited about his leadership and obviously he's one of the best centers in the country." 

Preseason accolades have rolled in for the senior offensive lineman this summer, as he has been named a Preseason All-American by both HERO Sports and Athlon Sports.  

Larsen is one of Southern Utah's representatives at the Big Sky Kickoff event in Spokane. 

The Thunderbirds will open their season on August 31 in Las Vegas against the UNLV Rebels.

Keep tabs on the Thunderbirds throughout the entire Big Sky Kickoff by following @SUUFB on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Football page on Facebook.

Season Tickets are currently available to purchase at the America First Event Center Ticket Office and at www.tbirdtickets.com. 

2019 Big Sky Preseason Football Team

Preseason Offensive MVP: Jake Maier, QB, UC Davis

Preseason Defensive MVP: Dante Olson, LB, Montana

Offense

QB: Jake Maier, Sr., UC Davis

WR: Mitch Gueller, Sr., Idaho State

WR: Samuel Akem, Jr., Montana

WR: Jared Harrell, Jr., UC Davis

OT: Mitch Brott, Sr., Montana State

OT: Chris Schliting, Sr., Eastern Washington

OG: Noah Johnson, Sr., Idaho*

OG: Ty Whitworth, Jr., Weber State

C: Zach Larsen, Sr., Southern Utah

TE: Charlie Taumopeau, Sr., Portland State

RB: Josh Davis, So., Weber State

RB: Elijah Dotson, Jr., Sacramento State

FB: Troy Andersen, Sr., Montana State

PK: Trey Tuttle, Jr., Weber State

RS: Rashid Shaheed, Jr., Weber State

Defense

DT: Jalen Goss, Sr., Northern Arizona

DT: Kenton Bartlett, Sr., Portland State

DE: Adam Rodriguez, Sr., Weber State

DE: Jonah Williams, Jr., Weber State

OLB: Auston Tesch, Sr., Weber State

OLB: Bryce Sterk, Sr., Montana State

ILB: Dante Olson, Sr., Montana

ILB: Kody Graves, Sr., Idaho State

CB: Khalil Dorsey, Sr., Northern Arizona*

CB: Greg Filer, Jr., Montana State

S: Adkin Aguirre, Sr., Idaho State

S: Brayden Konkol, Sr., Montana State

P: Cade Coffey, Jr., Idaho

ST: Jace Lewis, Jr., Montana