Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State lands 10 All-MW picks in annual Phil Steele magazine
6/10/2019 2:30:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. – Phil Steele, synonymous with the impending start to college football every summer, released the digital version of his annual magazine this week and inside showed 10 Bulldogs filled the 2019 All-Mountain West preseason team.
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Of selection made for first, second or third teams, Hawaii led the MW with 11 selections and was followed by Fresno State and Boise State each with 10. Boise State and Utah State led the way with the most first team picks having six apiece. Â
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Steele selected three Bulldogs as first team preseason picks, all seniors, in tight end Jared Rice, linebacker Mykal Walker and safety Juju Hughes.
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The second team was made up of senior cornerback Jaron Bryant, senior punter Blake Cusick, junior running back Ronnie Rivers and junior offensive lineman Netane Muti. The third team consisted of senior defensive tackle Jasad Haynes, junior long snapper Jacob Westberry and a second nod for Rivers as a punt returner.
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Of the returning players from last year's team that were selected to the 2018 All-Mountain West team, five return to the 2019 team, each on Steele's preseason team. Last year, Walker was a first team pick, while Rice, Hughes and Cusick were second team picks, and Bryant and Haynes were on the honorable mention team.
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The forecast for the end of season finish was not clear in that Fresno State and San Diego State were picked as co-No. 1's. Steele points to the Bulldogs' trip to San Diego on Friday, Nov. 15 as the ultimate decider on who will win the West Division crown. Boise State was selected to repeat as Mountain Division champs and win the MW title game.
In the 2018 magazine, the Bulldogs got the edge to be the MW West Division representative due to having their game against the Aztecs at home. Boise State was picked to win the Mountain Division and win the MW title.
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"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
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Of selection made for first, second or third teams, Hawaii led the MW with 11 selections and was followed by Fresno State and Boise State each with 10. Boise State and Utah State led the way with the most first team picks having six apiece. Â
Â
Steele selected three Bulldogs as first team preseason picks, all seniors, in tight end Jared Rice, linebacker Mykal Walker and safety Juju Hughes.
Â
The second team was made up of senior cornerback Jaron Bryant, senior punter Blake Cusick, junior running back Ronnie Rivers and junior offensive lineman Netane Muti. The third team consisted of senior defensive tackle Jasad Haynes, junior long snapper Jacob Westberry and a second nod for Rivers as a punt returner.
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Of the returning players from last year's team that were selected to the 2018 All-Mountain West team, five return to the 2019 team, each on Steele's preseason team. Last year, Walker was a first team pick, while Rice, Hughes and Cusick were second team picks, and Bryant and Haynes were on the honorable mention team.
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The forecast for the end of season finish was not clear in that Fresno State and San Diego State were picked as co-No. 1's. Steele points to the Bulldogs' trip to San Diego on Friday, Nov. 15 as the ultimate decider on who will win the West Division crown. Boise State was selected to repeat as Mountain Division champs and win the MW title game.
In the 2018 magazine, the Bulldogs got the edge to be the MW West Division representative due to having their game against the Aztecs at home. Boise State was picked to win the Mountain Division and win the MW title.
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2019 Phil Steele Preseason MW Team
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First-Team
S Juju Hughes
TE Jared Rice
LB Mykal Walker
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Second-Team
CB Jaron Bryant
P Blake Cusick
OTÂ Netane Muti
RBÂ Ronnie Rivers
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Third-Team
DTÂ Jasad Haynes
PR Ronnie Rivers
LS Jacob Westberry
Fourth-Team
None
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First-Team
S Juju Hughes
TE Jared Rice
LB Mykal Walker
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Second-Team
CB Jaron Bryant
P Blake Cusick
OTÂ Netane Muti
RBÂ Ronnie Rivers
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Third-Team
DTÂ Jasad Haynes
PR Ronnie Rivers
LS Jacob Westberry
Fourth-Team
None
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
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Players Mentioned
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