OGDEN, Utah, July 21, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Weber State was picked to finish sixth in the Big Sky Conference football standings this season by the league’s coaches and seventh by the media in preseason polls released Sunday.
Defending Big Sky champion Montana, which advanced to the FCS title game last season, was picked to repeat in both polls, followed by Montana State and Idaho.
Weber State defensive end Brayden Wilson was the Wildcats’ lone representative on the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team, which also was announced Sunday during the 2024 Big Sky Football Kickoff at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Spokane, Washington.
Wilson, a junior, earned All-Big Sky Second Team honors in 2023 after leading the conference in tackles for loss with 16.5 — the 10th most in WSU history.
The former Farmington High School star also ranked sixth in the Big Sky and 27th in the nation in sacks with 7.5 last season. Wilson had season-highs of eight tackles against Utah and Cal Poly, and totaled two sacks against Montana State in 2023.
The Kaysville native has been a part of the Weber State football program since the spring 2021 season and enters this season having played in 25 career games. He’s totaled 81 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in his collegiate career.
Led by second-year head coach Mickey Mental, Weber State returns to practice July 31 and opens the 2024 season Aug. 31 at Washington.
The Wildcats’ first home game is set for Sept. 7 vs. Portland State. WSU also will host McNeese State (Sept. 28), Northern Colorado (Oct. 12), Idaho State (Nov. 9), and Cal Poly (Nov. 23) at Stewart Stadium this season.
Big Sky Conference Football Media Poll
- Montana, 445 points (26 first-place votes)
- Montana State, 414 (9)
- Idaho, 342 (2)
- UC Davis, 332 (1)
- Sacramento State, 324
- Eastern Washington, 240
- Weber State, 234
- Idaho State, 174
- Northern Arizona, 172
- Portland State, 169
- Cal Poly, 74
- Northern Colorado, 47
Big Sky Conference Football Coaches Poll
- Montana, 120 points (10 first-place votes)
- Montana State, 110 (1)
- Idaho, 95
- UC Davis, 88 (1)
- Sacramento State, 82
- Weber State, 74
- Northern Arizona, 55
- Eastern Washington, 47
- Portland State, 45
- Idaho State, 31
- Northern Colorado, 23
- Cal Poly, 22
2024 Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team
Offense
- QB: Tommy Mellott, Montana State
- RB: Lan Larison, UC Davis (Offensive MVP)
- RB: Eli Gillman, Montana
- FB: Rohan Jones, Montana State
- WR: Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington
- WR: Junior Bergen, Montana
- WR: Jared Gipson, Sacramento State
- TE: Coleman Kuntz, Sacramento State
- TE: Jake Cox, Idaho
- OL: Brandon Casey, Montana
- OL: Marcus Wehr, Montana State
- OL: Jackson Slater, Sacramento State
- OL: Justus Perkins, Montana State
- OL: Jonny Bottorff, Northern Arizona
- OL: Nathan Mejia, Sacramento State
Defense
- DL: Brody Grebe, Montana State (Defensive MVP)
- DL: Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly
- DL: Brayden Wilson, Weber State
- DL: Zach Kennedy, UC Davis
- DL: Dallas Afalava, Idaho
- DL: Keyshawn James-Newby, Idaho
- LB: Riley Wilson, Montana
- LB: Will Leota, Sacramento State
- LB: Michael Montgomery, Portland State
- LB: Danny Uluilakepa, Montana State
- LB: Tommy Ellis, Northern Arizona
- DB: Rex Connors, UC Davis
- DB: Trevin Gradney, Montana
- DB: Alex McLaughlin, Northern Arizona
- DB: Calvin Pitcher, Idaho State
- DB: Tommy McCormick, Idaho
- DB: Rylan Ortt, Montana State
Special teams
- K: Hunter Ridley, UC Davis
- P: Brendan Hall, Montana State
- KR: Abraham Williams, Idaho
- PR: Junior Bergen, Montana
- LS: Tommy Sullivan, Montana State
- ST: Isiah Childs, Montana
- AP: Junior Bergen, Montana
