Northwest Notes July 26, 2021

Walker, Barriere named Big Sky Preseason MVPs

SPOKANE — Idaho linebacker Tre Walker and Eastern Washington quarterback Eric Barriere were named the Big Sky Preseason Defensive and Offensive Most Valuable Players, respectively, on Sunday night.

Walker finished Idaho’s 2021 spring campaign with 54 total tackles, 27 between solo and assisted. He was named to five different All-American teams, along with being named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. He also racked up 4.5 tackles for loss on the season.

Barriere, who is now a back-to-back Preseason Offensive MVP, earned All-America honors from six different publications following the spring season, along with being the FCS ADA and Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, he was one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award.

Sunday's announcement comes ahead of today's Big Sky Football Kickoff, featuring head coaches and two players from each of the league's 13 teams, today at the Davenport Grand Hotel in Spokane.

ESPN+ is scheduled for more than five hours of coverage, starting at 9 a.m.

“I just want to be able to contribute as much as possible,” Walker said in accepting his award in front of players and coaches from the rest of the league. “Me and a few of the guys definitely made this upcoming season a little more personal and I can’t wait to play and compete against you guys and go in every game with that mindset of winning.”