July 21, 2008
New Mexico cornerback DeAndre Wright and running back Rodney Ferguson were named to the 2008 Mountain West Conference preseason all-conference team today as selected by members of the league’s media. Both players were among the record eight Lobos that earned first team all-MWC honors in 2007.
Wright, a 2008 preseason All-America and Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back) candidate, led the team with 12 passes defended in 2007 and allowed just two pass completions of 15 yards or more over the final 10 games of the season. He had just 11 passes thrown his way in man coverage over the final seven games as most opposing quarterbacks chose not to challenge him downfield.
Ferguson, meanwhile, turned in his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season (1,177) and scored 13 rushing touchdowns on a league-high 292 carries last fall. The two-time team MVP and 2008 team captain is coming off an outstanding spring, on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom.
Wright is joined by seniors Zach Arnett (LB), Glover Quin (CB), Herbert Felder (LB) and Blake Ligon (S), and junior safeties Ian Clark and Clint McPeek as the Lobos’ top all-conference candidates on defense entering the season.
On offense, junior quarterback Donovan Porterie, senior tight end Chris Mark and junior offensive lineman Erik Cook are New Mexico’s leading preseason all-MWC candidates.
Max Hall (BYU) was named Preseason MWC Offensive Player of the Year, Jason Phillips (TCU) was selected Preseason MWC Defensive Player of the Year, Louie Sakoda (Utah) was chosen Preseason MWC Special Teams Player of the Year and Braylon Broughton (TCU) was tabbed Preseason MWC Freshman of the Year.
The 2008 preseason team is loaded with experience, featuring 18 players that were all-Conference selections in 2007, including six first-team honorees. Fifteen seniors, eight juniors and two sophomores comprise the 25-member squad.
| 2008 Preseason All-Mountain West Football Team |
Position Student-Athlete Class SchoolOFFENSEWR Austin Collie** Jr. BYUWR Ryan Wolfe Jr. UNLVOL Nick Charles** Jr. Air ForceOL Ray Feinga* Sr. BYUOL Dallas Reynolds* Sr. BYUOL Blake Schlueter** Sr. TCUOL Robert Conley** Sr. UtahTE Dennis Pitta* Jr. BYUQB Max Hall* Jr. BYURB Harvey Unga** So. BYURB Rodney Ferguson* Sr. New MexicoDEFENSEDL Jan Jorgensen* Jr. BYUDL Paul Kruger So. UtahDL John Fletcher** Jr. WyomingDL/LB Ryan Kemp Sr. Air ForceLB Ward Dobbs** Sr. WyomingLB Russell Allen Sr. San Diego StateLB Jason Phillips** Sr. TCUDB Brice McCain** Sr. UtahDB DeAndre Wright* Sr. New MexicoDB Stephen Hodge** Sr. TCUDB Robert Johnson Jr. UtahSPECIALISTSP Louie Sakoda* Sr. UtahPK Louie Sakoda** Sr. UtahRet. Devin Moore Sr. Wyoming* member of the 2007 All-Mountain West Conference first-team.
** member of the 2007 All-Mountain West Conference second-team.
Offensive Player of the Year:
Max Hall, Jr., QB, BYUDefensive Player of the Year:
Jason Phillips, Sr., LB, TCUSpecial Teams Player of the Year:
Louie Sakoda, Sr., PK/P, Utah Freshman of the Year:
Braylon Broughton, DE, TCU