July 17, 2006
CORONADO, Calif. -
Based on a vote by members of the league's media, the Mountain West Conference announced its 2006 preseason All-Conference team on Monday. Members of the press, as well as MWC head coaches and select players, are in San Diego, Calif., participating in the annual MWC Football Media Day.
University of Wyoming senior safety John Wendling was selected to the MWC All-Conference team for the first time in his career. Wendling, an athletic three-year starter at safety for the Cowboys, ranked second last season on the Cowboy squad in tackles with 75 and led UW in interceptions, with three. He is a 2006 All-America Candidate and ranked in the Top 10 in the MWC in tackles, interceptions and forced fumbles in 2005.
John Beck (BYU) was named Preseason MWC Offensive Player of the Year, Eric Weddle (Utah) was selected Defensive Player of the Year, Sergio Aguayo (UNLV) was chosen MWC Special Teams Player of the Year and McKay Jacobson (BYU) was tabbed MWC Freshman of the Year.
Beck, a first-team all-MWC honoree last season enters the 2006 campaign ranked second all-time on the MWC career lists for attempts (1,001), completions (596), yards (7,136) and touchdowns (47). Weddle was a third-team All-America and first-team all-MWC selection at defensive back in 2005, collecting 78 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and four interceptions in 12 games played.
Aguayo ranked among the league's top five last season for PAT's and field goals, and led UNLV in scoring with 57 points. Jacobsen was named 5A Texas Football Wide Receiver of the Year and Associated Press second-team all-State after leading the state with 99 receptions for 1,631 receiving yards his senior year.
BYU, TCU and Utah led all schools with five student-athletes each selected to the preseason all-Conference team. Colorado State had four players selected, followed by UNLV with three. Air Force, New Mexico, San Diego State and Wyoming each had one.
The 2006 preseason team features 11 players that were all-Conference selections in 2005, including six first-team honorees.
|
2006 Preseason All-Mountain West Team
|
|
Offense
|
| WR |
Brian Hernandez |
Sr. |
Utah |
| WR |
Johnny Walker |
Jr. |
Colorado State |
| OL |
Robert Turner |
Sr. |
New Mexico |
| OL |
Jake Kuresa** |
Sr. |
BYU |
| OL |
Herbert Taylor* |
Sr. |
TCU |
| OL |
Tavo Tupola** |
Sr. |
Utah |
| OL |
Jason Boone |
Jr. |
Utah |
| TE |
Jonny Harline* |
Sr. |
BYU |
| QB |
John Beck* |
Sr. |
BYU |
| RB |
Curtis Brown* |
Sr. |
BYU |
| RB |
Kyle Bell** |
Jr. |
Colorado State |
|
Defense
|
| DL |
Tommy Blake* |
Jr. |
TCU |
| DL |
Chase Ortiz |
Jr. |
TCU |
| DL |
Gilberto Perez |
Sr. |
Air Force |
| DL |
Jesse Nading |
Jr. |
Colorado State |
| DL |
Antwan Applewhite |
Jr. |
San Diego State |
| LB |
Cameron Jensen** |
Sr. |
BYU |
| LB |
Beau Bell** |
Jr. |
UNLV |
| LB |
Jason Phillips |
So. |
TCU |
| DB |
Eric Weddle* |
Sr. |
Utah |
| DB |
John Wendling
|
Sr. |
Wyoming |
| DB |
Marvin White |
Sr. |
TCU |
| DB |
Eric Wright |
Jr. |
UNLV |
|
Specialists
|
| P |
Jimmie Kaylor |
Jr. |
Colorado State |
| PK |
Sergio Aguayo |
Jr. |
UNLV |
| Ret. |
Brent Casteel |
So. |
Utah |
Offensive Player of the Year: John Beck, Sr., BYU
Defensive Player of the Year: Eric Weddle, Sr., Utah
Special Teams Player of the Year: Sergio Aguayo, Jr., UNLV
Freshman of the Year: McKay Jacobson, BYU
* member of the 2005 All-Mountain West Conference first-team.
** member of the 2005 All-Mountain West Conference second-team.
