MW announces all-conference teams

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Mountain West conference announced its 2021 all-conference teams and postseason honors on Tuesday, and Fresno State saw 10 student-athletes earn recognition by the league office. The teams are voted upon by the 12 Mountain West football head coaches, and select media members from each of the 12 markets.

Senior offensive tackle Alex Akingbulu and junior defensive back Evan Williams picked up first team honors.

Quarterback Jake Haener and wide receiver Jalen Cropper earned second team offensive honors. Defensive end David Perales picked up second team honors on the defense.

Kevin Atkins (DL), Levelle Bailey (LB), Josh Kelly (WR), Arron Mosby (DE) and Ronnie Rivers (RB) earned honorable mention recognition by the conference.

Each Bulldog represented helped lead Fresno State to a 9-3 record, including wins over two ranked teams, both on the road. It was the first time Fresno State defeated two Top 25 opponents in a season since 2004, and the first time both wins came on the road in the 100 year history of the program.

First Team Offensive Lineman: Alex Akingbulu, Senior

Alex Akingbulu helped block for one of the top passing, scoring and total offenses in the Mountain West.
Akingbulu was a part of an offensive line unit that allowed 24 sacks on the quarterback, tying its least in a season since 2019.
Akingbulu recorded 45 knock downs on the season.
Akingbulu started all 12 games at right tackle - one of only two positions on the Bulldog offensive line to not see different starters on the year.
Had the highest Pro Football Focus grade on an offensive line that is ranked first in the conference in total offense and second in scoring.
Akingbulu is the first Bulldog offensive lineman to earn first team all-conference honors since 2018.
It is the first career all-conference honor for the senior.

First Team Defensive Back: Evan Williams, Junior

Evan Williams leads the team in total tackles (89), interceptions (3), broken up passes (6), fumble recoveries (2).
Had a career-best 13 tackles at then-No. 21 San Diego State.
Williams has recorded five double-digit tackle performances this season, the most by a Bulldog defensive back since 2016.
Williams has a single-season best three interceptions this season, with two grabbed at Wyoming. He is the first Bulldog since 2018 to have at least three INTs in a season.
Three interceptions in Mountain West games is tied for second among defensive backs.
An 81.9 overall grade by Pro Football Focus is best among safeties in the Mountain West Conference and fifth in all Group of Five conferences.
Part of a Bulldog defense who only allowed 20.25 points per game this season, while also holding two opponents scoreless. It was the first time since 2017 that a Fresno State team had multiple shutouts in a season.
Williams is the first Bulldog defensive back to earn all-conference honors since 2018. He is the first Bulldog safety since Derron Smith in 2014.
Tuesday's announcement marks the first time Williams has been a first team honoree, but his second post-season recognition after getting honorable mention honors in 2020.

Second Team Quarterback: Jake Haener, Senior

Jake Haener finished the regular season with 3,810 passing yards and 32 passing touchdowns. He completed 303-of-449 attempts, and had nine interceptions on the year. He was second in the conference in total offense, total offensive plays, total offensive yards, total offensive touchdowns, passing average per game, passing yards, passing attempts, pass completions, and passing touchdowns.
Haener is in the Top 15 in the FBS in completions per game, passing touchdowns, passing yards, passing yards per game, total offense, passing efficiency, points responsible for and points responsible for per game.
Haener's 3,000-yard passing season makes him the first Bulldog since 2018 to hit the 3,000-yard mark and just the seventh Bulldog all-time.
Haener passed for eight 300-yard passing games this season, the third-most in a season in program history.
Is 3-1 as a starter against Mountain West teams with winning records including wins over the Bulldogs' top two West Division rivals, beating then-No. 23 San Diego State (10-1) and Nevada (7-4) in back-to-back weeks. Haener's .750 winning percentage (3-1) against Mountain West teams with winning records is the best in the conference.
Haener has thrown for 32 touchdowns (No. 2 in MW, No. 10 in FBS) on the season, the most in a single season since Derek Carr in 2013. His 32 TD passes are the fourth-most in a single season in program history.
Haener had a season-high 455 passing yards in Fresno State's win at then-No. 13 UCLA. It was the 14th most passing yards in a game in program history and third-most by a MW quarterback this season.
Haener had eight games with more than 60 percent of passes completed. In six of those games, Haener completed more than 70 percent of his passes.
Has nine pass plays of 50 or more yards, ranking first in the Mountain West and fourth in the nation.
Haener earns his second career postseason all-conference recognition as a Bulldog.
Haener is the first quarterback to earn a spot on a postseason all-conference first or second team since Derek Carr earned first team honors in 2013.

Second Team Wide Receiver: Jalen Cropper, Junior

Jalen Cropper led the team in all receiving categories - 76 catches, 827 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 11 receiving touchdowns were the sixth-most by a Bulldog in program history.
Ranked No. 9 in the FBS in receiving touchdowns (11). Was also in the top 50 in the FBS in receptions per game (No. 24 - 6.3) and total touchdowns (No. 30 - 13)
Cropper scored at least one receiving touchdown in seven-straight games to open the season. It was the longest scoring streak since Davante Adams had a streak of nine games in 2013.
Cropper tied the conference record with four receiving touchdowns in a game against UNLV (Sept. 24). Cropper's four receiving touchdowns that game tied the single game program record. His four touchdowns scored tied for the most by any FBS player in a game this season.
Cropper was involved in 12 of Fresno State's 54 offensive chunk plays this season - the second-most by any Bulldog (not including QB Jake Haener).
Had 21 receptions against Power Five opponents, the most in the conference. Also had two touchdown receptions against those opponents, tied for the most in the conference.
Also had a career-best 51-yard touchdown pass against Cal Poly. It was the sixth-longest touchdown pass for the 'Dogs this season.
Cropper picked up his second career postseason honor. He is the first Bulldog wide receiver since KeeSean Jonhson (2018) to land on a postseason first or second all-conference team.

Second Team Defensive End: David Perales, Senior

David Perales tied for the most tackles on the defensive line, recording a single-season career-best 40 stops.
Perales also had single-season career-best marks in tackles for loss (13.0) and sacks (7.0).
Perales' 13.0 tackles for loss accounted for 72 yards lost, a team-best yards lost.
Perales had seven-straight games with at least 1.0 tackles for loss from Sept. 24-Nov.25
Perales had his best game of the season against the top offense in the Mountain West, producing four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one forced fumble against Nevada. His TFL and sack numbers against the Pack were career-bests.
Part of a Bulldog defense who only allowed 21.3 points per game this season, while also holding two opponents scoreless. It was the first time since 2017 that a Fresno State team had multiple shutouts in a season.
Perales picks up his second-straight second team All-Mountain West recognition.

2021 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE
Pos.       Player                                 Cl.          Team
QB          Carson Strong                   Jr.           Nevada
WR         Khalil Shakir                       Sr.          Boise State
WR         Romeo Doubs                   Sr.          Nevada
WR         Deven Thompkins            Sr.          Utah State
RB          Brad Roberts                     Jr.          Air Force
RB          Charles Williams               Sr.          UNLV
TE           Trey McBride                     Sr.          Colorado State
OL          Hawk Wimmer                  Sr.          Air Force
OL          John Ojukwu                      Sr.          Boise State
OL          Alex Akingbulu                  Sr.          Fresno State
OL          William Dunkle                 Jr.           San Diego State
OL          Zachary Thomas               Sr.          San Diego State
PK           Jonah Dalmas                    So.         Boise State
KR          Jordan Byrd                       Sr.          San Diego State

DEFENSE
Pos.       Player                                 Cl.          Team
DL          Scott Patchan                    Sr.          Colorado State
DL          Tristan Nichols                  Sr.          Nevada
DL          Cameron Thomas             Jr.           San Diego State
DL          Viliami Fehoko                  Jr.           San José State
LB           Darius Muasau                  Jr.           Hawai'i
LB           Caden McDonald              Sr.          San Diego State
LB           Kyle Harmon                      Sr.          San José State
LB           Chad Muma                       Sr.          Wyoming
DB          Evan Williams                    Jr.           Fresno State
DB          Khoury Bethley                 Sr.          Hawai'i
DB          Patrick McMorris              Jr.           San Diego State
DB          Trenton Thompson          Sr.          San Diego State
P             Matt Araiza                        Jr.           San Diego State
PR          Romeo Doubs                   Sr.          Nevada

2021 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE
Pos.       Player                                 Cl.          Team
QB          Jake Haener                       Sr.          Fresno State
WR         Jalen Cropper                    Jr.           Fresno State
WR         Calvin Turner                     Sr.          Hawai'i
WR         Isaiah Neyor                      So.         Wyoming
RB          Greg Bell                            Sr.          San Diego State
RB          Xazavian Valladay            Sr.          Wyoming
TE           Cole Turner                        Sr.          Nevada
OL          Ben Dooley                        So.         Boise State
OL          Jake Stetz                           Sr.          Boise State
OL          Aaron Frost                        Sr.          Nevada
OL          Jack Snyder                        Sr.          San José State
OL          Keegan Cryder                  Sr.          Wyoming
PK           Matt Araiza                        Jr.           San Diego State
KR          Savon Scarver                   Sr.          Utah State

DEFENSE
Pos.       Player                                 Cl.          Team
DL          Jordan Jackson                 Sr.          Air Force
DL          Scott Matlock                    Jr.           Boise State
DL          David Perales Sr.          Fresno State
DL          Keshawn Banks Sr.          San Diego State
LB           Vince Sanford Jr.           Air Force
LB           Daiyan Henley Sr.          Nevada
LB           Jacoby Windmon              Jr.           UNLV
LB           Justin Rice Sr.          Utah State
DB          JL Skinner                         Jr. Boise State
DB          Cortez Davis                      Sr.          Hawai'i
DB          Tayler Hawkins                 Sr.          San Diego State
DB          C.J. Coldon                         Jr.           Wyoming
P             Ryan Stonehouse             Sr.          Colorado State
PR          Stefan Cobbs                     Jr.           Boise State

2021 HONORABLE MENTION
Air Force: Tre Bugg III, DB; Brandon Lewis, WR; Corvan Taylor, DB.
Boise State: Octavius Evans, WR; Tyreque Jones, DB; Kekaula Kaniho, DB; Ezekiel Noa, LB; Riley Whimpey, LB.
Colorado State: Cayden Camper, PK; Cam'Ron Carter, LB; Dequan Jackson, LB; Cam Reddy, OL; Barry Wesley, OL.
Fresno State:         Kevin Atkins, DL; Levelle Bailey, LB; Josh Kelly, WR; Arron Mosby, DL; Ronnie Rivers, RB.
Hawai'i: Jonah Laulu, DL; Kohl Levao, OL; Ilm Manning, OL; Nick Mardner, WR; Micah Vanterpool, OL.
Nevada: Jamaal Bell, KR; Gray Davis, OL; Jacob Gardner, OL; Lawson Hall, LB; Sam Hammond, DL; Jermaine Ledbetter, OL; Jordan Lee, DB; Tyler Orsini, OL; Dom Peterson, DL.
New Mexico: Tavian Combs, DB; Joey Noble, DL; Jerrick Reed, DB; Kyle Stapley, OL; Luke Wysong, PR.
San Diego State:   Alama Uluave, OL; Michael Shawcroft, LB; Jonah Tavai, DL.
San José State: Derek Deese Jr., TE; Cade Hall, DL; Will Hart, P; Tre Jenkins, DB; Jay Lenard, DB; Alii Matau, LB; Nehemiah Shelton, DB; Tyler Stevens, OL.
UNLV:                    Austin Ajiake, LB; Daniel Gutierrez, PK.
Utah State:            Shaq Bond, DB; Alfred Edwards, OL; Nick Heninger, DL; Jordan Nathan, PR; Quazzel White, OL; Derek Wright, WR.
Wyoming:          Garrett Crall, DL; Cole Godbout, DL; Logan Harris, OL.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year – Carson Strong, Jr., QB, Nevada
Defensive Player of the Year – Cameron Thomas, Jr., DL, San Diego State
Special Teams Player of the Year – Matt Araiza, Jr., P/PK, San Diego State
Freshman of the Year – Cameron Friel, QB, UNLV
Coach of the Year – Brady Hoke, San Diego State

"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.

Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateFootball

MW announces all-conference teams

Players Mentioned

Alex Akingbulu

Kevin Atkins

Levelle Bailey

Jake Haener

Josh Kelly

Jalen Moreno-Cropper

Arron Mosby

David Perales

Ronnie Rivers

Evan Williams

Fresno State Athletics

MW announces all-conference teams

Related News

Players Mentioned

Alex Akingbulu

Kevin Atkins

Levelle Bailey

Jake Haener

Josh Kelly

Jalen Moreno-Cropper

Arron Mosby

David Perales

Ronnie Rivers

Evan Williams

Related Videos