July 1, 2011
SAN DIEGO - The Sporting News projected the San Diego State football team to finish third in the 2011 Mountain West standings and ranked it No. 38 nationally overall in its College Football Preview magazine. Four Aztecs, meanwhile, were named to the publication's preseason all-conference team in running back Ronnie Hillman, linebacker Miles Burris, defensive back Leon McFadden and place-kicker Abelardo Perez.
A 5-10 sophomore, Hillman has already been tabbed to three other publications' preseason all-Mountain West teams thus far. The MW Freshman of the Year rushed for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns last season in leading the league and ranking No. 10 nationally. He was also named the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl Offensive MVP, after he set a bowl record with 228 rushing yards and four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) as SDSU defeated Navy, 35-14. It was Hillman's sixth game with at least 150 yards on the ground and his second with 200 yards or more.
Burris has also been honored as a preseason all-Mountain West selection in three other publications. The senior is coming off a breakout 2010 year, in which he recorded totals 80 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks. The Sporting News also tabbed Burris as the league's hardest hitter after leading the Mountain West in sacks and tackles for a loss last season.
McFadden registered 55 tackles a season ago, including seven behind the line of scrimmage. The junior also led the Mountain West with 14 passes defended and his 1.08 per game average was tied for 18th in the nation. For his efforts, McFadden garnered first-team all-league accolades.
Perez, a second-team all-Mountain West honoree in his first season for the Aztecs, converted 17 of his 22 field goal attempts and was second in the conference in scoring with 105 points. The senior's 1.31 field goals per game tied for second in the league and 31st in the country.
The Sporting News, meanwhile, picked quarterback Ryan Lindley as the top NFL prospect in the Mountain West. The senior is third in career passing yards (9,537) among active Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks, trailing only Case Keenum of Houston and Kellen Moore of Boise State. Lindley is also fourth in career touchdown passes (67) among active FBS quarterbacks.