Doss, Buss Headline Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team
SPOKANE, Wash. (July 16, 2018) – The Big Sky Conference announced on Monday its 2018 Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team and individual award winners, chosen by selected media representatives. The preseason team was revealed at the league’s annual media day, the Big Sky Kickoff, being held in Spokane, Wash.
UC Davis senior wide receiver Keelan Doss was chosen as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Montana senior linebacker Josh Buss was voted as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Doss, the 2017 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big Sky honoree had a breakout season. The Alameda, Calif. native finished third in voting for the Walter Payton Award last year. He led the FCS and FBS in receiving yards (1,499), receiving yards per game (136.3) and receptions per game (10.5) at the end of his season. Doss’ receptions per game set a new Big Sky single-season record.
Buss, a 2017 All-Conference honoree, enters his final year with the Griz. The Boise, Idaho native has registered 198 career tackles and 36.0 tackles for loss. Buss is coming off a junior year campaign that saw him tally a season-best 94 tackles, in addition to 13.5 tackles for loss. He started all 11 games for Montana a year ago, as he returns as the Grizzlies’ top tackler.
The 2018 preseason team has at least one representative from every league school. Leading the way with six honorees are 2017 co-champion Weber State. Fellow co-champion Southern Utah placed five players on the team. Tied with three players each are Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, and newcomer Idaho.
Nineteen seniors take up more than half of the spots on the preseason all-conference team. Eight juniors and four sophomores complete the team.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Keelan Doss, WR, UC Davis
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Josh Buss, LB, Montana
Offense
Quarterback – Gage Gubrud, Sr., Eastern Washington
Running Back – James Madison, Sr., Idaho State
Running Back – Antoine Custer, Jr., Eastern Washington
Wide Receiver – Keelan Doss, Sr., UC Davis
Wide Receiver – Emmanuel Butler, Sr., Northern Arizona
Wide Receiver – Andre Lindsey, Sr., Sacramento State
Wide Receiver – Alex Wesley, Sr., Northern Colorado
Fullback – Joe Protheroe, Sr., Cal Poly
Tight End – Charlie Taumoepeau, Jr., Portland State
Tight End – Wes Preece, Jr., UC Davis
Offensive Tackle – Iosua Opeta, Sr., Weber State
Offensive Tackle – Marquez Tucker, Sr., Southern Utah
Offensive Guard – Noah Johnson, Jr., Idaho
Offensive Guard – PJ Nu’usa, Jr., Southern Utah
Center – Zach Larsen, Jr., Southern Utah
Placekicker – Trey Tuttle, So., Weber State
Return Specialist – Rashid Shaheed, So., Weber State
Defense
Defensive End – George Obinna, Sr., Sacramento State
Defensive End – Jonah Williams Jr., Weber State
Defensive Tackle – Jay-Tee Tiuli, Sr., Eastern Washington
Defensive Tackle – Tucker Yates, Sr., Montana State
Outside Linebacker – Josh Buss, Sr., Montana
Outside Linebacker – Kaden Ellis, Sr., Idaho
Inside Linebacker – LeGrand Toia, Sr., Weber State
Inside Linebacker – Chinedu Ahanonu, Sr., Southern Utah
Cornerback – Khalil Dorsey, Jr., Northern Arizona
Cornerback – Jalen Russell, So., Southern Utah
Safety – Wes Sutton, Sr., Northern Arizona
Safety – Mister Harriel, Sr., Sacramento State
Punter – Cade Coffey, So., Idaho
Special Teams – Brady May, Sr., Weber State