Fresno State Athletics
Rice is the Mountain West’s 2020 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
7/23/2020 11:00:00 AM | Football
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the first time since 2014, the Bulldogs have a Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year as senior linebacker Justin Rice received that recognition Thursday from the league. The accolade is voted upon by select media members.
Rice is the second Bulldog to receive preseason defensive player of the year honors from the Mountain West. Former Fresno State safety Derron Smith was named the MW preseason defensive player of the year back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014. While Smith picked up those preseason awards, he did not receive the end of the year nod. But Fresno State does have two defensive players of the year since joining the MW in 2012 – safety Phillip Thomas (2012) and linebacker Jeff Allison (2018).
On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Derek Carr is the sole Bulldog to pick up the preseason offensive player of the year distinction, doing so in both 2012 and 2013. Carr is also the sole Bulldog to earn the end of the season award, as he followed both the 2012-13 preseason awards with an end of the season award.
Prior to Rice's Mountain West recognition on Wednesday of being named to the preseason All-MW team, and one of three individuals to be a unanimous selection for it, and Thursday the preseason defensive player of the year, Rice had his named revealed on both the Bednarik Award watch list, on July 13, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, on July 21. Both awards similarly honor the nation's defensive player of the year but are selected by two different organizations.
2020 MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Offensive Player of the Year: Warren Jackson, Colorado State
Defensive Player of the Year: Justin Rice, Fresno State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Savon Scarver, Utah State
MW Preseason Announcement Recap
Tuesday, July 21 – Mountain and West Division Predicted Order of Finish
Wednesday, July 22 – Preseason All-Mountain West Team
Thursday, July 23 – Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Preseason Players of the Year
Rice's Preseason Honors Recap
Monday, July 13 – Bednarik Award watch list
Tuesday, July 21 – Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
Wednesday, July 22 – Mountain West preseason All-MW team
Thursday, July 23 – Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
"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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Rice is the second Bulldog to receive preseason defensive player of the year honors from the Mountain West. Former Fresno State safety Derron Smith was named the MW preseason defensive player of the year back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014. While Smith picked up those preseason awards, he did not receive the end of the year nod. But Fresno State does have two defensive players of the year since joining the MW in 2012 – safety Phillip Thomas (2012) and linebacker Jeff Allison (2018).
On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Derek Carr is the sole Bulldog to pick up the preseason offensive player of the year distinction, doing so in both 2012 and 2013. Carr is also the sole Bulldog to earn the end of the season award, as he followed both the 2012-13 preseason awards with an end of the season award.
Prior to Rice's Mountain West recognition on Wednesday of being named to the preseason All-MW team, and one of three individuals to be a unanimous selection for it, and Thursday the preseason defensive player of the year, Rice had his named revealed on both the Bednarik Award watch list, on July 13, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, on July 21. Both awards similarly honor the nation's defensive player of the year but are selected by two different organizations.
2020 MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Offensive Player of the Year: Warren Jackson, Colorado State
Defensive Player of the Year: Justin Rice, Fresno State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Savon Scarver, Utah State
MW Preseason Announcement Recap
Tuesday, July 21 – Mountain and West Division Predicted Order of Finish
Wednesday, July 22 – Preseason All-Mountain West Team
Thursday, July 23 – Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Preseason Players of the Year
Rice's Preseason Honors Recap
Monday, July 13 – Bednarik Award watch list
Tuesday, July 21 – Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
Wednesday, July 22 – Mountain West preseason All-MW team
Thursday, July 23 – Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
"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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Players Mentioned
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