Nine Griz earn preseason honors from Phil Steele Magazine

Phil Steele Magazine rolled out its annual preseason All-America and FCS all-conference teams on Friday, and Montana was once again well represented in the preseason prognostications.

A total of four Grizzlies earned preseason All-America honors, and nine earned All-Big Sky honors, including Patrick O'Connell, who was tabbed the magazine's Big Sky Preseason Defensive MVP. Each team was populated with first, second, and third team squads on offense, defense, and special teams.

To little surprise, O'Connell, Justin Ford, Robby Hauck, and Malik Flowers were named preseason All-Americans. Each were also named preseason All-American by Stats Perform earlier this summer, with O'Connell, Ford, and Hauck also earning a place on the Buchanan Award Watch list for the nation's defensive player of the year.

O'Connell has now doubled-up on Big Sky Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors from the league's coaches and Phil Steele Magazine.

The Kalispell native was named to the publication's first team all-conference squad with Ford, Hauck, Flowers, and defensive tackle Alex Gubner, who also earned preseason honors from the league at the Big Sky kickoff in July.

On the second-team all-conference squad, returning All-America running back Marcus Knight got the nod along with junior guard Hunter Mayginnes and senior linebacker Marcus Welnel. Sophomore tight end Cole Grossman earned a place on the third team.

To see Phil Steele's complete preseason All-America and All-Big Sky squads, click on the links above.

Montana reports for fall camp on Friday, with the first practice of the season scheduled for Monday, Aug. 8.

Phil Steele Magazine Preseason All-American Montana Selections
1^st team
Patrick O'Connell
Justin Ford
Robby Hauck

2^nd team
Malik Flowers

Phil Steele Magazine Preseason All-Big Sky Montana Selections
1^st team
Alex Gubner
Patrick O'Connell*
Justin Ford
Robby Hauck
Malik Flowers

2^nd team
Marcus Knight
Hunter Mayginnes
Marcus Welnel

3^rd team
Cole Grossman

*Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

University of Montana Athletics

Nine Griz earn preseason honors from Phil Steele Magazine

Players Mentioned

Malik Flowers

Justin Ford

Cole Grossman

Alex Gubner

Robby Hauck

Marcus Knight

Hunter Mayginnes

Patrick O'Connell

Marcus Welnel

Related Videos