May 28, 2013
CLEVELAND, Ohio. - Ten Aztecs were named to the 2013 Phil Steele Preseason All-Mountain West Team, including three first-team selections. The publication with the entire list is scheduled to be released on June 18.
Junior running back Adam Muema, junior linebacker Jake Fely and senior safety Nat Berhe were each named to the first-team. The second team includes junior defensive lineman Sam Meredith, senior linebacker Nick Tenhaeff and senior kick returner Colin Lockett.
In addition, senior offensive tackle Bryce Quigley, junior linebacker Derek Largent and senior safety Eric Pinkins were each named to the third team, while Lockett was named to the fourth-team as a wide receiver and Tim Vizzi made the fourth-team as a punt returner.
Muema, a 2012 second-team all-MW selection, rushed for a team-high 1,502 yards with 16 touchdowns a season ago. The Covina, Calif., native also caught nine passes for 147 yards and a score.
Fely was also named second-team all-MW following the 2012 season, finishing second on the team with 90 total tackles. The Oceanside, Calif., native also registered 11.5 tackles for loss and a team-high seven sacks.
Berhe was a 2012 all-MW second-team selection, and was named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List on May 16. A year ago, the Colton, Calif., native recorded a team-high 94 tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble and five pass breakups.
Meredith (La Mesa, Calif.) was an all-MW Honorable Mention selection a year ago. The junior led all SDSU defensive linemen in total tackles last season (36), while adding 5.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Tenhaeff (Atascadero, Calif.) was sixth on the team last season in total tackles (52). The senior also posted a team-high 13 tackles for loss, along with three sacks.
Lockett (Diamond Bar, Calif.) was second on the team last season with 1,112 all-purpose yards. He finished with two kickoff-return touchdowns and five scores total for the season.
Quigley (Apple Valley, Calif.) was an all-MW Honorable Mention selection a season ago, as was Largent (Hermosa Beach, Calif.), who tied for fourth on the team in tackles (61), third in tackles for loss (9.5), second in sacks and tied for second in interceptions (2).
Pinkins (Sacramento, Calif.) was third on the team with 65 total tackles a season ago, along with seven tackles for loss, two sacks and tied for a team-high three interceptions.
Vizzi (Moorpark, Calif.) rounded out the Aztec preseason picks, recording a 7.3-yard average on punt returns last season, with a long of 28 yards.
SDSU begins its season at home on August 31, against Eastern Illinois.
Phil Steele's 2013 Preseason All-MW Team (SDSU Players Only)
First Team: RB Adam Muema, LB Jake Fely, S Nat Berhe
Second Team: DL Sam Meredith, LB Nick Tenhaeff, KR Colin Lockett
Third Team: OL Bryce Quigley, LB Derek Largent, S Eric Pinkins
Fourth Team: WR Colin Lockett, PR Tim Vizzi