FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 18, 2021) - Phil Steele released the 2021 FCS All-American and All-Conference Teams this week, as the Big Sky Conference was well-represented once again on the national stage.
The Big Sky landed 20 All-Americans on Phil Steele's list, with six highlighting the first team. For the full release from Phil Steele, click here.
Eastern Washington's Eric Barriere was tabbed as the FCS's best quarterback as he secured the first-team slot, while linemen Ty Whitworth of Weber State and Braxton Jones of Southern Utah joined Barriere on the offensive side of the ball. Linebackers Tre Walker of Idaho and Jace Lewis of Montana earned first-team honors on defense, while punter Daniel Whelan of UC Davis filled out the rest of the Big Sky reps on the first team.
The Big Sky earned nine All-Americans on the second team, which was dominated by four spots on the special teams. Northern Arizona's Luis Aguilar and DJ Arnson led the way, while Weber State's Rashid Shaheed and Montana's Matthew O'Donoghue capped the specialist quartet.
The Phil Steele All-American Third Team was another defensive heavy list for the Big Sky, as La’akea Kaho’ohanohano-Davis of Southern Utah became the league's fourth All-American linebacker to make the cut.
The Phil Steele publication also released Its All-Conference Teams ahead of the 2021 season, which tabbed Southern Utah's Braxton Jones as the league's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Idaho's Tre Walker as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Weber State led the way overall with 16 selections on the All-Conference Teams.
The fall football slate officially kicks off next weekend for the Big Sky, as Southern Utah travels to San Jose State for its Week 0 matchup on Saturday, Aug. 28.
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Phil Steele FCS All-Americans
First Team
QB - Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington
OL - Ty Whitworth, Weber State
OL - Braxton Jones, Southern Utah
LB - Tre Walker, Idaho
LB - Jace Lewis, Montana
P - Daniel Whelan, UC Davis
Second Team
WR - Talolo Limu-Jones, Eastern Washington
WR - Tanner Conner, Idaho State
OL - Tristen Taylor, Eastern Washington
LB - Troy Andersen, Montana State
DB - Anthony Adams, Portland State
K - Luis Aguilar, Northern Arizona
P - DJ Arnson, Northern Arizona
KR - Rashid Shaheed, Weber State
LS - Matthew O'Donoghue, Montana
Third Team
RB - Elijah Dotson, Sacramento State
FB - Logan Kendall, Idaho
DL - Jared Schiess, Weber State
LB - La’akea Kaho’ohanohano-Davis, Southern Utah
DB - Jordan Perryman, UC Davis