COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- San Diego State football head coach Brady Hoke was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year, while juniors Cameron Thomas (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad HS) and Matt Araiza (San Diego/Rancho Bernardo HS) were selected as the MW Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Year, respectively, the league announced Tuesday.
Hoke won his second MW Coach of the Year honor and has now captured the award twice in his four years in the league (also 2010). The Aztecs, who were picked to finish third in the West Division of the MW following a 4-4 season in 2020, are 11-1 this year and will meet Utah State in the MW Championship game on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. SDSU, which has been ranked for the first time in the College Football Playoff Rankings this season, has tied a program record with 11 victories, despite playing its home games almost two hours away from campus in Carson.
Thomas became the third San Diego State player to be named the MW Defensive Player of the Year, joining Kirk Morrison (2003-04) and Damontae Kazee (2015-16). Thomas also made the all-MW first team for a third consecutive season and joins Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (1997-99) as the only Aztec defensive lineman in their Division I era (since 1969) to be named to three all-conference first teams.
Araiza, meanwhile, is SDSU's second MW Special Teams Player of the Year following a three-year run by Rashaad Penny (2015-17). San Diego State has the most special teams player of the year awards (4) in the history of the league. In addition to being named a first-team all-MW punter, Araiza was chosen as a second-team kicker, and joins Brigham Young's Matt Payne (2004) and Utah's Louie Sakoda (2007-08) as the only players to make a MW first or second team in the same season at both punter and kicker.
For a third straight year, the Aztecs had the most first-team all-MW selections with eight. Joining Cameron Thomas and Araiza (punter) on the first team were offensive linemen William Dunkle and Zachary Thomas, linebacker Caden McDonald, safeties Patrick McMorris and Trenton Thompson, and kick returner Jordan Byrd.
SDSU also had four second-team picks in running back Greg Bell, defensive lineman Keshawn Banks, defensive back Tayler Hawkins and Araiza at kicker, and three honorable-mention selections in offensive lineman Alama Uluave, defensive lineman Jonah Tavai and linebacker Michael Shawcroft.
San Diego State's 15 all-league selections match its most since 2001 (16) and only trailed Nevada's 16 all-conference picks. The Aztecs had the most on the first and second team (12 total).
The all-conference awards are voted on by the league coaches and various media members from the league.
Thomas, a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award (outstanding defensive player), has 66 tackles (30 solo) on the season, including team highs of 20.0 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and 19 quarterback hurries. His 11.5 sacks this year are sixth in SDSU single-season history, while his 20 tackles for loss are tied for seventh. Additionally, Thomas needs 0.5 tackles for loss to tie a Mountain West single-season record and one to break the record. He leads the league in total tackles for loss (20.0, 3rd in FBS), tackles for loss per game (1.67, 4th in FBS), total sacks (11.5, T-6th in FBS) and sacks per game (0.96, T-6th in FBS), and ranks fourth in tackles for loss yards (77, T-21st in FBS) and sixth in sack yards (63, T-23rd in FBS). According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas is tied for the second-highest defensive grade (90.6, min. 600 snaps) in the country, while recording the most quarterback pressures (sacks/hits/hurries) (72) and hits (18) in FBS, and the fifth-most hurries (42).
Araiza, a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, has already set NCAA records in 50-yard punts (38) and 60-yard punts (18) in a season, and is on track to break Braden Mann's record of 50.98 set in 2018 while with Texas A&M. One of four players in the country handling all three kicking duties (punt, PAT/field goal and kickoff), Araiza leads all FBS players in punt average (51.47), total punt yards (3,757) and punt yards per game (313.08), and is tied for first in punts inside the 20-yard line (36) and PAT percentage (100.00), tied for second in punts per game (6.08, 2nd in MW), third in kickoff average (64.95, 1st in MW), tied for third in total punts (73, 2nd in MW), fifth in net punt average (44.64, 1st in MW), seventh in kickoff touchback percentage (84.13, 1st in MW) and tied for eighth in kickoff touchbacks (63, 1st in MW). Additionally, Araiza has six punts of at least 70 yards (five punters are tied for second with two apiece), including a pair of 80-plus yard boots (NCAA long 86 and 81).
Dunkle and Zachary Thomas are each on the all-MW first team for the first time of their career after Dunkle was an honorable-mention selection as a freshman in 2019 and Thomas a second-team pick in 2020. According to Pro Football Focus, Dunkle has allowed just eight pressures (no sacks) on the season in 329 passing opportunities, while having the fifth-highest overall grade (91.1, min. 600 snaps) among offensive linemen with the third-highest run block grade (94.3, min. 600 snaps). Thomas, meanwhile, has allowed just three sacks in 310 opportunities at left tackle on the season and just six hurries, and is graded as the ninth-ranked offensive lineman in FBS by Pro Football Focus (90.6, min. 600 snaps) (No. 2 in Mountain West) and No. 12 run blocker (91.0, min. 600 snaps).
McDonald is on the first team for a second straight season after registering 44 tackles (16 solo) on the year so far, including three sacks for 22 yards and 6.5 tackles for loss of 28 yards, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. McDonald (2020-21) joins Kirk Morrison (2002-04), Miles Burris (2010-11), Calvin Munson (2015-16) and Kyahva Tezino (2018-19) as the only Aztec linebackers to make multiple all-MW first teams in league history.
McMorris is also on the MW first team in his first year as the starting 'Aztec' in SDSU's vaunted 3-3-5 defense. McMorris has a team-high 79 tackles (48 solo), including 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions for 36 yards, eight pass breakups and a 15-yard fumble recovery. Since the start of the 3-3-5 defense at San Diego State in 2009, only Nat Berhe (2013) and McMorris (2021) have earned first-team all-MW accolades as an 'Aztec', while Berhe (2012) is the only other 'Aztec' to even make a second team over that span.
Thompson picked up his first career postseason MW honor and has racked up 35 tackles (26 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 13 pass breakups, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries on the season. Thompson ranks in a tie for first in the MW in punt return touchdowns (1, T-5th in FBS) (off a blocked punt), second in total passes defended (INT + PBU) (16) and passes defended per game (1.33), tied for second in pass breakups (13, T-7th in FBS) and tied for third in interceptions (3, T-30th in FBS). It is the first time in league history that the Aztecs have had a pair of first-team safeties.
Byrd improved on his second-team all-league selection at kick returner last year with a first-team nod in 2021. Byrd leads the MW in total punt returns (23, T-6th in FBS), combined kick return yards (665, 10th in FBS), kick return average (29.35, 11th in FBS) and punt return average (7.22, 30th in FBS), and is tied for first in kick return touchdowns (1, T-11th in FBS), second in punt return yards (166, 21st in FBS), third in kick return yards (499, 25th in FBS) and tied for fourth in total kick returns (17, T-39th in FBS). Byrd (2021) and Penny (2015-17) are SDSU's only first-team all-MW kick returners in league history.
Bell made the second team for the second straight season. So far this season, Bell has rushed 208 times for 940 yards (4.5 avg.) with eight touchdowns. He ranks third in the MW in total rushing attempts (208, 23rd in FBS), fourth in rushing attempts per game (17.33, 28th in FBS), rushing yards (940, 51st in FBS) and rushing yards per game (78.33, 55th in FBS), and tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (9).
Banks made his third all-conference team after earning second-team honors in 2019 and honorable mention in 2020. Banks has 29 tackles (13 solo), including eight tackles for loss for 88 yards, three sacks for 19 yards, two pass breakups and 14 quarterback hurries. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks second in the MW in quarterback hits (16), fourth in quarterback pressures (sacks/hits/hurries) (51) and in a tie for eighth in quarterback hurries (31).
Hawkins improved on his honorable mention in 2020 with a second-team selection this year. Hawkins has 54 tackles (41 solo), a tackle for loss, two interceptions for 34 yards, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry. He ranks seventh in the MW in passes defended per game (INT + PBU) (0.91, T-48th in FBS), tied for seventh in total pass breakups (8, T-60th in FBS) and eighth in total passes defended (10, T-47th in FBS). According to Pro Football Focus, Hawkins owns the fifth-best coverage rating in the country among defensive backs (and No. 1 in the MW) (88.2. min. 425 snaps). Hawkins also has the seventh-lowest pass efficiency in the country when targeted (No. 2 in the MW) (87.43, min. 425 snaps).
Uluave earned his first all-conference accolade with a honorable mention this year. Uluave has started all 12 games at center, playing the most snaps (802) on the team. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed just five pressures (two hits, two hurries and one sack) in 334 passing chances.
Tavai made all-MW honorable mention for a second straight season. Tavai has 37 tackles (17 solo), including 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. Tavai, who is ranked in a tie for 10th in the MW in sack yards (41), has the second-most quarterback pressures (sacks/hits/hurries) in the MW (56, 7th in FBS) and hurries (40, T-6th in FBS)), and tied for the ninth-most hits (8), according to Pro Football Focus.
Shawcroft is an all-MW pick for the first time, registering 46 tackles (28 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, pass breakup, two forced fumbles and five quarterback hurries in 11 games.
Ranked 19th in both the AP Top 25 and coaches polls, SDSU plays host to Utah State in the MW Championship game at noon PT Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
2021 Mountain West All-Conference Football Awards (All winners)
2021 Mountain West All-Conference Football Awards (All winners)
Offensive Player of the Year
Carson Strong, Jr., QB, Nevada
Defensive Player of the Year
Cameron Thomas, Jr., DL, San Diego State
Special Teams Player of the Year
Matt Araiza, Jr., P/PK, San Diego State
Freshman of the Year
Cameron Friel, QB, UNLV
Coach of the Year
Brady Hoke, San Diego State
2021 Mountain West All-Conference Football Awards (SDSU winners only)
First Team
OL William Dunkle, Jr.
OL Zachary Thomas, Sr.
DL Cameron Thomas, Jr.
LB Caden McDonald, Sr.
DB Patrick McMorris, Jr.
DB Trenton Thompson, Sr.
P Matt Araiza, Jr.
KR Jordan Byrd, Sr.
Second Team
RB Greg Bell, Sr.
DL Keshawn Banks, Sr.
DB Tayler Hawkins, Sr.
PK Matt Araiza, Jr.
Honorable Mention
OL Alama Uluave, Sr.
DL Jonah Tavai, Sr.
LB Michael Shawcroft, Jr.
2021 All-Mountain West First Team
Offense
QB Carson Stron, Jr., Nevada
WR Khalil Shakir, Sr., Boise State
WR Romeo Doubs, Sr., Nevada
WR Deven Thompkins, Sr., Utah State
RB Brad Roberts, Jr., Air Force
RB Charles Williams, Sr., UNLV
TE Trey McBride, Sr., Colorado State
OL Hawk Wimmer, Sr., Air Force
OL John Ojukwu, Sr., Boise State
OL Alex Akingbulu, Sr., Fresno State
OL William Dunkle, Jr., San Diego State
OL Zachary Thomas, Sr., San Diego State
PK Jonah Dalmas, So., Boise State
KR Jordan Byrd, Sr., San Diego State
Defense
DL Scott Patchan, Sr., Colorado State
DL Tristan Nichols, Sr., Nevada
DL Cameron Thomas, Jr., San Diego State
DL Viliami Fehoko, Jr., San José State
LB Darius Muasau, Jr., Hawai'i
LB Caden McDonald, Sr., San Diego State
LB Kyle Harmon, Sr., San José State
LB Chad Muma, Sr., Wyoming
DB Evan Williams, Jr., Fresno State
DB Khoury Bethley, Sr., Hawai'i
DB Patrick McMorris, Jr., San Diego State
DB Trenton Thompson, Sr., San Diego State
P Matt Araiza, Jr., San Diego State
PR Romeo Doubs, Sr., Nevada
2021 All-Mountain West Second Team
Offense
QB Jake Haener, Sr., Fresno State
WR Jalen Cropper, Jr., Fresno State
WR Calvin Turner, Sr., Hawai'i
WR Isaiah Neyor, So., Wyoming
RB Greg Bell, Sr., San Diego State
RB Xazavian Valladay, Sr., Wyoming
TE Cole Turner, Sr., Nevada
OL Ben Dooley, So., Boise State
OL Jake Stetz, Sr., Boise State
OL Aaron Frost, Sr., Nevada
OL Jack Snyder, Sr., San José State
OL Keegan Cryder, Sr., Wyoming
PK Matt Araiza, Jr., San Diego State
KR Savon Scarver, Sr., Utah State
Defense
DL Jordan Jackson, Sr., Air Force
DL Scott Matlock, Jr., Boise State
DL David Perales, Sr., Fresno State
DL Keshawn Banks, Sr., San Diego State
LB Vince Sanford, Jr., Air Force
LB Daiyan Henley, Sr., Nevada
LB Jacoby Windmon, Jr., UNLV
LB Justin Rice, Sr., Utah State
DB JL Skinner, Jr., Boise State
DB Cortez Davis, Sr., Hawai'i
DB Tayler Hawkins, Sr., San Diego State
DB C.J. Coldon, Jr., Wyoming
P Ryan Stonehouse, Sr., Colorado State
PR Stefan Cobbs, Jr., Boise State
2021 Honorable Mention
Air Force: Tre Bugg III, DB; Brandon Lewis, WR; Corvan Taylor, DB.
Boise State: Octavius Evans, WR; Tyreque Jones, DB; Kekaula Kaniho, DB; Ezekiel Noa, LB; Riley Whimpey, LB.
Colorado State: Cayden Camper, PK; Cam'Ron Carter, LB; Dequan Jackson, LB; Cam Reddy, OL; Barry Wesley, OL.
Fresno State: Kevin Atkins, DL; Levelle Bailey, LB; Josh Kelly, WR; Arron Mosby, DL; Ronnie Rivers, RB.
Hawai'i: Jonah Laulu, DL; Kohl Levao, OL; Ilm Manning, OL; Nick Mardner, WR; Micah Vanterpool, OL.
Nevada: Jamaal Bell, KR; Gray Davis, OL; Jacob Gardner, OL; Lawson Hall, LB; Sam Hammond, DL; Jermaine Ledbetter, OL; Jordan Lee, DB; Tyler Orsini, OL; Dom Peterson, DL.
New Mexico: Tavian Combs, DB; Joey Noble, DL; Jerrick Reed, DB; Kyle Stapley, OL; Luke Wysong, PR.
San Diego State: Alama Uluave, OL; Michael Shawcroft, LB; Jonah Tavai, DL.
San José State: Derek Deese Jr., TE; Cade Hall, DL; Will Hart, P; Tre Jenkins, DB; Jay Lenard, DB; Alii Matau, LB; Nehemiah Shelton, DB; Tyler Stevens, OL.
UNLV: Austin Ajiake, LB; Daniel Gutierrez, PK.
Utah State: Shaq Bond, DB; Alfred Edwards, OL; Nick Heninger, DL; Jordan Nathan, PR; Quazzel White, OL; Derek Wright, WR.
Wyoming: Garrett Crall, DL; Cole Godbout, DL; Logan Harris, OL.
Aztec Football Dominates Mountain West Awards
