NAU QB Michael Herrick was named to the Sports Network Preseason All-America First Team.
PDF of Release
Sports Network Release
Six Big Sky Conference players have been selected to the first team of The Sports Network’s Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-America Team, which was released Monday.
The six first-teamers led all FCS conference. A total of 12 Big Sky players were selected to the squad, second only to the Southern Conference’s 15.
Northern Arizona senior QB Michael Herrick was tabbed as the quarterback, while Montana’s Chase Reynolds and Eastern Washington’s Taiwan Jones were the running backs. All three are preseason candidates for the Walter Payton award.
Eastern Washington linebacker J.C. Sherritt, who finished second in voting for the Buck Buchanan award, was one of three Sky players named to the first-team defense. Sacramento State’s Christian Clark was selected on the defensive line. Montana’s Trumaine Johnson was tabbed as a cornerback. All three are preseason candidates of the Buchanan.
Herrick completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,356 yards with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2009. Reynolds, from Drummond, Mont., amassed 1,502 rushing yards and scored a league-high 24 touchdowns in 2009. Jones averaged 7.5 yards per carry and finished second in the nation in all-purpose yards in his first season as a running back.
Sherritt, from Pullman, Wash., led the nation in tackles in 2009. Clark tallied a league-high 10 sacks, while Johnson intercepted five passes and broke up 12 passes.
Weber State junior guard J.C. Oram was selected to the second team offense, along with Montana center Alex Verlanic. Portland State kicker Zach Brown and Eastern Washington defensive tackle Renard Williams were also named to the second team.
Montana State offensive tackle Mike Person and Bobcat defensive tackle Dan Ogden both earned third-team honors.