6 Bobcats, 5 Griz dot preseason all-Big Sky football

SPOKANE — As part of the 2025 Big Sky Kickoff Weekend, the league office has announced its 39-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.

UC Davis led the way with seven selections, highlighted by the Aggies' offense earning four of those honors. The Montana State Bobcats are right behind them with six selections, two of those claimed by Billings native Taco Dowler as a wide receiver and punt returner.  

The Cats also saw defensive lineman Paul Brott and Kenneth Eiden IV, offensive lineman Titan Fleischmann and running back Adam Jones selected. 

Joining Jones in the backfield is Montana running back Eli Gillman, one of five selections for the Grizzlies. Two of those belong to Eastern Washington transfer Michael Wortham, at both kick returner and all-purpose; linebacker Peyton Wing and long-snapper Grayson Pibal were UM’s other two selections.

The Big Sky Preseason Coaches’ and Media Polls were released on Thursday, with both of those results placing the Montana State Bobcats as the favored team to win the league in 2025. The league’s offensive preseason MVP is Adam Jones of Montana State. The defensive preseason MVP is Rex Connors of UC Davis.  

Tune in on Monday at 10 a.m. Mountain as the Big Sky's Meghan Robinson and Scripps Sports’ Kyle Hansen will co-host over four hours of live coverage from the Northern Quest Resort & Casino for the 2025 Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend show.  

The live event, airing on ESPN+ and select Scripps stations, will feature interviews with all 12 football teams, Commissioner Tom Wistrcill and special guests throughout the day.  
 

2025 Big Sky  

Preseason All-Conference Team
QB: Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona
RB: Adam Jones, Montana State
RB: Eli Gillman, Montana
FB: Colter May, Weber State
WR: Sam Gbatu, Jr., UC Davis
WR: Taco Dowler, Montana State
WR: Michael Briscoe, Cal Poly
TE: Winston Williams, UC Davis
TE: Tanner Beaman, Portland State
OL: Titan Fleischmann, Montana State
OL: Gavin Ortega, Weber State
OL: Stryker Rashid, Idaho State
OL: Nate Azzopardi, Idaho
OL: Ernesto Nava, UC Davis
OL: Eli Simonson, UC Davis 

DL: Paul Brott, Montana State
DL: Kenneth Eiden IV, Montana State
DL: Ethan Rodriguez, Cal Poly
DL: Micah Carreon, Northern Arizona
DL: Tylin Jackson, Eastern Washington
DL: Zach Krotzer, Idaho
LB: Peyton Wing, Montana
LB: Porter Connors, UC Davis
LB: Isiah King, Idaho
LB: Brandon Wong, Northern Arizona
LB: Nathan Reynolds, Idaho State
DB: Rex Connors, UC Davis
DB: Mason Rivera, Cal Poly
DB: Cam Chapa, Northern Colorado
DB: DaJean Wells, Eastern Washington
DB: Isaiah Green, Portland State
DB: Mason Young, Idaho State 

PK: Hunter Ridley, UC Davis
P: Ben D’Aquila, Northern Arizona
KR: Michael Wortham, Montana
PR: Taco Dowler, Montana State
LS: Grayson Pibal, Montana
ST: Trevor Thurman, Eastern Washington
AP: Michael Wortham, Montana 

    Grizzlies running back Eli Gillman (10) is tripped up trying to hurdle Bobcats safety Rylan Ortt (26) in the second quarter during the 123rd Brawl of the Wild at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Click here to order photo reprints.
 Casey Kreider   

    Grizzlies wide receiver Aaron Fontes (14) is brought down by Bobcats defensive end Kenneth Eiden IV (11) on a reception in the fourth quarter during the 123rd Brawl of the Wild at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Montana State running back Adam Jones (23) picks up yardage on a run in the second quarter during an FCS semifinal game against South Dakota at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider