Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Phil Steele names 15 as All-MW
6/17/2022 12:45:00 PM | Football
15 Bulldogs were named preseason All-Mountain West by Phil Steele.
FRESNO, Calif. - The 2022 edition of Phil Steele's College Football Preview magazine saw 15 Bulldogs earn recognition by one of college football's top information gurus. The Bulldogs' preseason All-Mountain West honors are broken down by eight offensive, five defensive and two special teams picks.
In addition to his all-conference preseason picks, Steele also released his preseason All-America teams. Fresno State senior quarterback Jake Haener was named a preseason fourth team All-American, and a first team All-Mountain West selection. Haener joins Bryce Young (1st team - Alabama), CJ Stroud (2nd team - Ohio State), and Caleb Williams (3rd team - USC) as preseason All-American quarterbacks as selected by the magazine.
Haener became the first offensive Bulldog to earn preseason All-America recognition by Phil Steele since Davante Adams in the 2013 edition of the magazine. In the last decade, Haener is one of just three Bulldogs to be picked as a preseason All-American - joining Adams (2013) and DB Derron Smith (2014).
Predicted by Steele to win the West Division of the conference this season, Fresno State had three Bulldogs who joined Haener as first team picks in WR Jalen Cropper, OL Dontae Bull and DB Evan Williams.
Fresno State saw the bulk of its selections on the second team. Offensive leaders in RB Jordan Mims, WR Josh Kelly and OL Bula Schmidt were joined by defensive picks in DE David Perales, LB Levelle Bailey and DB Bralyn Lux on the second team. The Bulldogs' newest long snapper Nick D'Ambra was also tabbed a second team specialist.
Senior punter Carson King was Fresno State's only third team pick.
On the fourth team, Bulldogs Raymond Pauwels Jr. (TE), Mose Vavao (OL) and Leonard Payne Jr. (DT) earned recognition.
Steele also ranked the Bulldogs with the No. 1 quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back units in the Mountain West. Fresno State's offensive line, running back, and linebacker units were also among the top three in the conference, as rated by Phil Steele.
Fresno State led the conference with its picks by the magazine this season. Boise State, who was predicted to win the Mountain Division had 14 selections. Colorado State, San Diego State and Utah State each checked in with 13, and San Jose State had 12 as the schools with double-digit picks. 15 selections in the annual preseason release by the magazine are the most since the 2018 preseason announcement when the Bulldogs had 16.
"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.
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In addition to his all-conference preseason picks, Steele also released his preseason All-America teams. Fresno State senior quarterback Jake Haener was named a preseason fourth team All-American, and a first team All-Mountain West selection. Haener joins Bryce Young (1st team - Alabama), CJ Stroud (2nd team - Ohio State), and Caleb Williams (3rd team - USC) as preseason All-American quarterbacks as selected by the magazine.
Haener became the first offensive Bulldog to earn preseason All-America recognition by Phil Steele since Davante Adams in the 2013 edition of the magazine. In the last decade, Haener is one of just three Bulldogs to be picked as a preseason All-American - joining Adams (2013) and DB Derron Smith (2014).
Predicted by Steele to win the West Division of the conference this season, Fresno State had three Bulldogs who joined Haener as first team picks in WR Jalen Cropper, OL Dontae Bull and DB Evan Williams.
Fresno State saw the bulk of its selections on the second team. Offensive leaders in RB Jordan Mims, WR Josh Kelly and OL Bula Schmidt were joined by defensive picks in DE David Perales, LB Levelle Bailey and DB Bralyn Lux on the second team. The Bulldogs' newest long snapper Nick D'Ambra was also tabbed a second team specialist.
Senior punter Carson King was Fresno State's only third team pick.
On the fourth team, Bulldogs Raymond Pauwels Jr. (TE), Mose Vavao (OL) and Leonard Payne Jr. (DT) earned recognition.
Steele also ranked the Bulldogs with the No. 1 quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back units in the Mountain West. Fresno State's offensive line, running back, and linebacker units were also among the top three in the conference, as rated by Phil Steele.
Fresno State led the conference with its picks by the magazine this season. Boise State, who was predicted to win the Mountain Division had 14 selections. Colorado State, San Diego State and Utah State each checked in with 13, and San Jose State had 12 as the schools with double-digit picks. 15 selections in the annual preseason release by the magazine are the most since the 2018 preseason announcement when the Bulldogs had 16.
"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
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