(UW Athletics release)
Las Vegas, Nev. — A trio of Wyoming Cowboys were named to the 2018 Preseason All-Mountain West Conference Team announced on Tuesday at the Mountain West Media Summit in Las Vegas, Nev. Wyoming senior strong safety Andrew Wingard, senior defensive end Carl Granderson and junior defensive tackle Youhanna Ghaifan were all selected to the team in a vote by Mountain West Conference media members.
In separate voting, each was also named to the Bronco Nagurski and Outland Trophy watch lists.
At the conclusion of the 2017 season, the same three Cowboys were named First Team All-Mountain West Conference selections in voting by Mountain West head coaches and media. Wingard was also a First Team All-Mountain West selection at the end of the 2016 season, and was a Second Team All-MW honoree as a true freshman in 2015.
It was also announced on Tuesday, that Wingard was voted the 2018 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. It is the second consecutive season that Wingard was named the Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
In addition to the All-Conference team, the Mountain West released the Preseason Predicted Order of Finish. Wyoming was picked to finish second in the MW Mountain Division in the preseason vote of MW media.
Boise State was selected to finish first in the Mountain Division receiving all 22 first-place votes and 132 total points. Wyoming was selected to finish second with 95 total points. Colorado State received 82 points to finish third. Utah State was selected to finish fourth (78 points) followed by Air Force (52 points) and New Mexico (23 points).
Fresno State is the preseason favorite to win the West Division, receiving 16 of 22 first-place votes for 126 total points. San Diego State received the other six first-place votes and 116 total points, with UNLV (78 points), Nevada (72), Hawai’i (45) and San Jose State (25) rounding out the West Division preseason poll.
Wyoming was one of only four Mountain West schools to have three or more players named to the Preseason All-Mountain West team. The Cowboys had three players selected as did Nevada and San Diego State. Boise State led the All-Conference selections with eight players named.
Of the 25 individuals selected, 11 are seniors, six are juniors and eight are sophomores.
Offense
QB Brett Rypien** Sr. Boise State
WR KeeSean Johnson** Sr. Fresno State
WR McLane Mannix So. Nevada
RB Alexander Mattison Jr. Boise State
RB Lexington Thomas* Sr. UNLV
OL Ezra Cleveland So. Boise State
OL John Molchon Jr. Boise State
OL Aaron Jenkins Sr. New Mexico
OL Keith Ismael** So. San Diego State
OL Tyler Roemer** So. San Diego State
TE Dax Raymond Jr. Utah State
Defense
DL David Moa** Sr. Boise State
DL Curtis Weaver* So. Boise State
DL Youhanna Ghaifan* Jr. Wyoming
DL Carl Granderson* Sr. Wyoming
LB Jeffrey Allison* Jr. Fresno State
LB Jahlani Tavai** Sr. Hawai‘i
LB Malik Reed Sr. Nevada
DB Tyler Horton* Sr. Boise State
DB Dameon Baber** Sr. Nevada
DB Tariq Thompson** So. San Diego State
DB Andrew Wingard * Sr. Wyoming
Specialists
P Ryan Stonehouse So. Colorado State
PK Dominik Eberle* Jr. Utah State
KR/PR Avery Williams** So. Boise State
Defensive Player of the Year: Andrew Wingard, Sr., DB, Wyoming
Offensive Player of the Year: Brett Rypien, Sr., QB, Boise State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Avery Williams, So., KR/PR, Boise State
* – member of the 2017 All-Mountain West first team
** – member of the 2017 All-Mountain West second team
2018 PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
Mountain Division
Rank Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Boise State (22) 132
2. Wyoming 95
3. Colorado State 82
4. Utah State 78
5. Air Force 52
6. New Mexico 23
West Division
Rank Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Fresno State (16) 126
2. San Diego State (6) 116
3. UNLV 78
4. Nevada 72
5. Hawai‘i 45
6. San José State 25
