Griz lead the league in preseason honorees form Phil Steele Magazine

Griz lead the league in preseason honorees form Phil Steele Magazine

8/2/2024 9:52:00 AM | Football

2024 Phil Steele Preseason All-America Teams 2024 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Sky teams

By: Montana Sports Information

Montana continues to lead the way in FCS and Big Sky Conference early accolades with venerable football publication Phil Steele Magazine releasing its annual Preseason All-American and All-Big Sky Conference teams on Friday.

The Grizzlies, picked to repeat as conference champions in 2024, had the most selections in the Big Sky and the second most in the FCS named to one of its three All-America and all-conference teams.

All told, five players were named preseason All-American in seven different positions and 13 players were named preseason All-Big Sky in 15 different positions for a total of 22 honorees. The seven All-America picks were second only to NDSU's eight and were tied with defending champion SDSU.

Junior Bergen once again was lauded for his versatility, picked to earn All-America honors in three positions (AP, WR & PR). Other Grizzlies to pick up FCS accolades were Trevin Gradney, Brandon Casey, Riley Wilson and Cole Grossman.

As the preseason favorite to win the league, Montana was all over Phil Steele's All-Big Sky prognostications. The Griz had a league-high nine offensive players named to the all-conference teams, along six defenders and three specialists for a total of 18 honorees.

The strength of UM's receiving corps was recognized, with last year's team offensive MVP Keelan White earning first-team honors alongside Bergen, and Aaron Fontes landing on the third team. Add Grossman's pick to the second team and the Griz look to have abundant pass catching options.

2023 Jerry Rice Award winner Eli Gillman and Nick Ostmo earned a place on the first and third team, respectively, proving UM's depth even further on the offensive side of the ball. With three picks on the O-line in Casey, Journey Grimsrud, and Liam Brown, whoever ears the starting QB job for the Griz will have plenty of protection and weapons at his disposal.

Ryan Tirrell, the No. 2 linebacker in the Big Sky 2025 draft class as ranked by Pro Football Focus, earned first team all-conference honors along with Wilson and Gradney. Second year starting safety Ryder Meyer landed on the second team, while linebacker Cooper Barnum and safety Jaxon Lee earned a nod on the third team.

With Bergen again earning punt return and all-purpose honors, Grayson Pibal slotted in as a second-team all-conference long snapper to round out the Grizzlies' awards haul.

Montana players report to fall camp on Aug. 2, with the first practice of the season set for Aug. 5 at Dornblaser Field.

Phil Steele FCS Preseason All-Americans

1^st Team Defense
Trevin Gradney – DB

1^st Team Special Teams
Junior Bergen – AP

2^nd Team Offense
Junior Bergen – WR
Brandon Casey – OL

2^nd Team Special Teams
Junior Bergen – PR

3^rd Team Defense
Riley Wilson – LB

4^th Team Offense
Cole Grossman – TE

Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Sky

1^st Team Offense
Eli Gillman – RB
Junior Bergen – WR
Keelan White – WR
Brandon Casey – OL

1^st Team Defense
Riley Wilson – LB
Ryan Tirrell – LB
Trevin Gradney – DB

1^st Team Special Teams
Junior Bergen – PR & AP

2^nd Team Offense
Cole Grossman – TE
Journey Grimsrud – OL

2^nd Team Defense
Ryder Meyer – DB

2^nd Team Special Teams
Grayson Pibal – LS

3^rd Team Offense
Nick Ostmo – RB
Aaron Fontes – WR
Liam Brown – OL

3^rd Team Defense
Cooper Barnum – LB
Jaxon Lee - DB