SPOKANE, Washington (July 26, 2026) – As part of the 2026 Big Sky Kickoff Weekend, the league office announced its Preseason Most Valuable Players and its 38-member Preseason All-Conference Team ahead of the upcoming football season. The preseason honors were voted on by members of the media throughout the Big Sky and on the national stage.
Montana's Eli Gillman was named the league's Preseason Offensive MVP, while Caden Dowler was voted the Preseason Defensive MVP.
Gillman, who rushed for 1,540 yards over 15 games last season, was named the Big Sky Offensive of the Year in 2025 after an outstanding season for the running back. Gillman totaled 23 touchdowns on the year, including seven multi-touchdown games. The All-American has also been added to the Preseason Stats Preform Walter Payton Watch List and All-America First Team.
Dowler, who was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year last season, recorded 91 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and six interceptions in route a national championship for the Bobcats. After being named a finalist a season ago, Dowler also finds himself on the Buck Buchanan watch list this season.
Montana State makes up nearly half of the Preseason All-Conference team with 14 selections, highlighted by Billings native Taco Dowler, claiming three of those honors as wide receiver, punt returner, and at the all-purpose position. UC Davis collects seven honors including the 2025 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Rex Connors, who looks to lead a veteran Aggie defense this season.
The Big Sky Preseason Coaches’ and Media Polls were released last Monday, with both of those results placing the Montana State Bobcats as the favorite to win the league in 2026.
Tune in on Monday for four hours of live media day coverage beginning at 10:00 a.m. MT/9:00 a.m. PT from the Northern Quest Resort & Casino for the 2026 Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend show on ESPN+ and select Scripps Sports stations. The Big Sky's Meghan Robinson and Scripps Sports' Kyle Hansen will co-host the broadcast, which will feature interviews with representatives from all 13 football programs, Commissioner Tom Wistrcill and special guests throughout the show.
2026 Big Sky Football Preseason MVPs
Offensive: Eli Gillman, RB, Montana
Defensive: Caden Dowler, DB, Montana State
2026 Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team
QB: Justin Lamson, Montana State%
RB: Eli Gillman, Montana*%
RB: Adam Jones, Montana State*%
WR: Sam Gbatu, Jr., UC Davis*%
WR: Taco Dowler, Montana State*%
WR: Chedon James, Idaho State
TE: Winston Williams, UC Davis*
TE: Jeter Purdy, Northern Arizona
OL: Titan Fleischmann, Montana State*%
OL: Stryker Rashid, Idaho State*%
OL: Zaire Collier, UC Davis%
OL: Jack Ziebell, Northern Colorado%
OL: Braden Zimmer, Montana State
OL: Burke Mastel, Montana State%
DL: Zac Crews, Montana State
DL: Isaiah Perez, Eastern Washington%
DL: Bronson Childs, Idaho State
DL: Jake Mason, Montana%
DL: Ezra Ekuban, Northern Colorado
DL: Rayne Mayo Jr., UC Davis
LB: Mikey D’Amato, Cal Poly%
LB: Peyton Wing, Montana*%
LB: Kenny Olson, Cal Poly%
LB: Cole Taylor, Montana State%
LB: Porter Connors, UC Davis*
DB: Rex Connors, UC Davis*
DB: Caden Dowler, Montana State%
DB: Jaylon Jenkins, Eastern Washington%
DB: Tayden Gray, Montana State%
DB: Drew Cofield, UC Davis%
DB: Shoes Brinkley, Northern Arizona
PK: Myles Sansted, Montana State
P: Ryan Marks, Utah Tech
KR: Jabez Woods, Montana State
PR: Taco Dowler, Montana State*%
LS: Maddox Broughton, Northern Colorado%
ST: Brayden Rice, Idaho%
AP: Taco Dowler, Montana State
*2025 Big Sky Football Preseason Honoree
% - 2025 Big Sky Football Postseason All-Conference Honoree
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