ARLINGTON, Texas – Thunderbird fans got a quick preview on Tuesday at the United Athletic Conference (UAC) Media Day held at Texas Live in Arlington, Texas. The anticipation for the upcoming season has been officially ignited, with the Thunderbirds projected to finish third, according to the coaches poll. This follows their strong showing last season, where they tied for second in the UAC with a 6-5 record—the first winning season for Southern Utah since 2017.
Adding to the event's excitement, the conference unveiled its preseason All-UAC team, featuring two of SUU's defensive powerhouses: defensive lineman Rylen Sua-Filo and linebacker Kohner Cullimore. Both athletes have proven to be key components of the Thunderbirds' defensive strategy.
Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said
"We're proud of last season's accomplishments and ready to build on that success. Being picked third in the UAC shows our team is earning respect from others in the conference. We're excited for the chance to prove we belong at the top of the UAC."
"Rylen Sua-Filo and Kohner Cullimore are leaders in our defensive unit. Their preseason All-UAC recognition is well-deserved, and I know they'll continue to lead by example. However, we have a lot of good players on offense, and I believe several of them should have received recognition."
Rylen Sua-Filo
Originating from Orem, Utah, and a proud Orem High School alum, Sua-Filo was a force to be reckoned with last season. Appearing in all 11 games, Sua-Filo racked up 28 tackles, including 11 solo and 17 assisted, alongside two sacks and seven quarterback hits. His relentless efforts played a pivotal role in holding opponents to a mere 106 rushing yards per game. His standout performance earned him 2nd Team All-UAC Defensive Line honors and a place on the 2023 Phil Steele All-UAC 2nd Team.
Kohner Cullimore
Hailing from Gilbert, Arizona, and being a Highland High School graduate, he was a defensive dynamo for the last two seasons for SUU. In 2023, his second year with the Thunderbirds. Cullimore amassed an impressive 73 total tackles, with 40 solo and 33 assisted. His stat line also includes three sacks, ten tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one pass breakup, and a game-changing blocked field goal in the final game of the season. Cullimore's leadership and on-field performance earned him a coveted spot on the Phil Steele First Team All-UAC Linebacker.
With these standout players leading the charge, the Thunderbirds are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying season. The team's blend of seasoned talent and fresh enthusiasm positions them as contenders in the UAC.
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