LAS VEGAS -- The San Diego State football team landed a school-record seven players (eight selections) on the 2022 Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Team, the league announced Thursday. Highlighting the seven Aztecs on the preseason team are co-defensive player of the year Patrick McMorris (Santa Ana, Calif.) and special teams player of the year Jordan Byrd (Albuquerque, N.M.).
SDSU earned eight of the 26 all-MW picks, one more than in its inaugural season of the league in 1999. San Diego State had one more selection than its previous two seasons combined (three in 2021, four in 2022) despite losing four players to the NFL Draft. The Aztecs also matched program highs in preseason defensive selections (four) and special teams picks (two).
Joining McMorris and Byrd (kick returner and punt returner) on the preseason all-conference team were Jesse Matthews (San Diego/Christian High), Alama Uluave (Laie, Hawaii), Keshawn Banks (Rio Rancho, N.M.), Jonah Tavai (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and Caden McDonald (Haslet, Texas).
The all-conference team and preseason poll are voted on by media representatives who cover the conference. Yesterday, SDSU was picked to finish second in the West Division of the MW, despite representing the division in the 2021 MW Championship.
McMorris, who became SDSU's first MW preseason defensive player of the year since Damontae Kazee in 2016, was a first-team all-MW selection last year in his first season in 2021 while playing the signature 'Aztec' position in San Diego State's 3-3-5 defense. McMorris joined Nat Berhe (2013) as the only player to play the 'Aztec' position since the start of the 3-3-5 defense at SDSU in 2009 to earn first-team all-MW accolades, while Berhe (2012) is the only other 'Aztec' to even make a second team over that span. McMorris had a team-high 90 tackles (53 solo), including 2.5 tackles for loss, a team-best four interceptions for 61 yards, nine pass breakups and a 15-yard fumble recovery. He ranked in a tie for second in the Mountain West in interceptions (4, T-14th in FBS), third in interceptions per game (0.29, T-34th in FBS), tied for fourth in total passes defended (INT + PBU) (13, T-20th in FBS), fifth in total pass breakups (11, T-23rd in FBS) and seventh in passes defended per game (0.93, T-41st in FBS).
McMorris has also been named a first-team all-MW pick by Phil Steele Magazine and Athlon Sports, and is listed as SDSU's fourth-best player by Athlon.
Byrd, meanwhile, became San Diego State's second MW Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year, joining Rashaad Penny in 2016 and 2017. A two-time all-MW selection at kick returner (first team in 2021, second team in 2020), Byrd returned 22 kickoffs for 601 yards (27.3 avg.) with a 100-yard kick return touchdown in 2021 while returning 27 punts for 193 yards (7.1 avg.). Byrd, who also rushed 37 times for 246 yards (6.6 avg.) with three touchdowns and a long of 55 yards, while making 13 catches for 76 yards (5.8 avg.) with a long of 20 yards, led the MW in total punt returns (27, 4th in FBS), combined kick return yards (794, 6th in FBS), kick return average (27.3, 15th in FBS), punt return yards (193, 18th in FBS) and punt return average (7.1, 30th in FBS), while tying for first in kick return touchdowns (1, T-13th in FBS), and ranking third in kick return yards (601, 18th in FBS) and total kick returns (22, T-24th in FBS).
Byrd has now been named a preseason all-MW pick at both kick returner and punt returner by the league's media, Phil Steele Magazine and Athlon Sports, while being listed as the team's ninth-best player by Athlon.
Matthews had team highs of 57 catches, 642 yards and nine touchdown last year. The nine touchdown catches were the most by an Aztec since Vincent Brown had 10 in 2010 and tied for the 11th most in a season in program history. Matthews ranked eighth in the MW in receiving touchdowns (9, T-31st in FBS). Over his final four games, he totaled 37 catches for 465 yards and seven touchdowns. Matthews also was named a preseason all-MW selection by both Phil Steele Magazine and Athlon Sports, and listed as SDSU's fifth-best player by Athlon.
Uluave, who has started all 22 games the past two seasons for San Diego State at center, is coming off an honorable-mention year in 2021. According to Pro Football Focus, Uluave allowed just six pressures (two hits, two hurries and two sacks) in 409 passing chances. Additionally he played the most offensive snaps on the team (953).
A three-time all-MW pick (2019 & 2021 second team, 2020 honorable mention), Banks logged 35 tackles (16 solo) in 2021, including 11 tackles for loss for 51 yards, five sacks for 31 yards, two pass breakups and 17 quarterback hurries. According to Pro Football Focus, Banks ranked second in the Mountain West in quarterback hits (19, T-2nd in FBS), third in quarterback pressures (sacks/hits/hurries) (59, T-10th in FBS) and tied for seventh in quarterback hurries (33, T-20th in FBS). He's also landed on the preseason Athlon Sports first team and the Phil Steele Magazine second team, and is listed as the third-best player by Athlon.
A two-time honorable-mention all-MW pick (2020-21), Tavai had 47 tackles (23 solo) last year, including 14 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries in 14 starts. Tavai ranked sixth in the league in sacks (8.5, T-37th in FBS), seventh in sacks per game (0.61, T-54th in FBS) and tackles for loss (14.0, T-52nd in FBS), eighth in sack yards (57, T-37th in FBS), ninth in tackles for loss yards (65, T-57th in FBS), and tied for 10th in tackles for loss per game (1.00). According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked second in the Mountain West in quarterback pressures (sacks/hits/hurries) (61, T-7th in FBS) and hurries (40, T-8th in FBS), and tied for fifth in hits (11, T-21st in FBS). Tavai has also been named a first-team selection by both Phil Steele Magazine and Athlon Sports, and is listed as the second-best player by Athlon.
McDonald is a two-time first-team all-MW pick (2020-21), joining 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. McDonald, who was on the 2021 Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List (most outstanding defensive player) and the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List (college defensive player of the year), registered 49 tackles (21 solo) in 2021, including three sacks for 22 yards and 6.5 tackles for loss of 28 yards, seven quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a blocked PAT.
SDSU (12-2) finished with a school-record 12 victories last season, one of only 10 programs with at least 12 wins. Only four teams had more victories than San Diego State, including national champion Georgia, and CFP teams Alabama and Cincinnati. The Aztecs played five teams who reached double-digit victories in 2021, securing wins over Pac-12 Champion/Rose Bowl participant Utah (10-4), UTSA (12-2) and Air Force (10-3).
SDSU, which played all 14 of its games away from its own market, including eight "home games" two hours from campus at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, finished the 2021 season ranked 25th in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. It was the third time in program history San Diego State made the final AP Top 25 poll (also 1977 (16th) and 2016 (25th)). The Aztecs were also ranked in every CFP poll in 2021.
SDSU opens Snapdragon Stadium against Arizona on Sept. 3, and also has home games against Idaho State (Sept. 10), Toledo (Sept. 24), Hawai'i (Oct. 8), UNLV (Nov. 5), San Jose State (Nov. 12) and Air Force (Nov. 26). The Aztec contest against UNLV will be SDSU's annual homecoming game.
San Diego State football season tickets are still on sale. Many options are available and a virtual 3D seat map of Snapdragon Stadium allows fans to take a tour of the seats before reserving season tickets. Members will have several benefits such as priority access to on-site parking and the flexibility to resell or donate any games they're unable to attend. For season-ticket information or to secure tickets, submit a Ticket Interest Form, call (619) 283-7378 or email seating@snapdragonstadium.com.
Aztec football single-game tickets for all seven 2022 Aztec home games for the inaugural season at Snapdragon Stadium will go on sale in August. As an exclusive member benefit, football season-ticket holders can purchase the single-game tickets on Aug. 8, while all remaining Aztec Club members can purchase on Aug. 12. Tickets for the general public will be available on Aug. 15.
Aztec football parking will soon be available on a season basis for as low as $175 (or $25 per game). Any remaining passes will be offered for single-game purchase beginning Aug. 8
Student tickets will once again be free and can be claimed on a first-come, first-serve basis the week of each home game. More information for student tickets can be found at GoAztecs.com/StudentTickets.
Notes: San Diego State's eight preseason all-MW selections were three more than the second most in the league (Fresno State, 5) … All eight preseason all-MW picks were seniors … The eight preseason selections were more than the Aztecs had each of the last two years (7) … SDSU has at least three all-MW picks in eight straight years after doing so just four times over the previous 10 years (2005-14) … San Diego State's four defensive selections are their most in league history (also 2020) … WR Jesse Matthews became the first Aztec wide receiver to earn preseason all-MW honors since Colin Lockett in 2012 … SDSU has two defensive lineman on the preseason team for the second time in MW history (2020) … Jordan Byrd is the first San Diego State player to make an all-league honor as both kick returner and punt returner in program history.
Mountain West Football Preseason Players of the Year
Offensive Player of the Year: Jake Haener, Sr., QB, Fresno State
Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick McMorris, Sr., DB, San Diego State and Cade Hall, Sr., DL, San José State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Jordan Byrd, Sr., PR/KR, San Diego State
2022 Mountain West Football Preseason All-Conference Team
Offense
QB -- Jake Haener -- Fresno State
WR -- Jalen Cropper -- Fresno State
WR -- Jesse Matthews -- San Diego State
RB -- Brad Roberts -- Air Force
RB -- Jordan Mims -- Fresno State
OL -- Isaac Cochran -- Air Force
OL -- John Ojukwu -- Boise State
OL -- Dontae Bull -- Fresno State
OL -- Aaron Frost -- Nevada
OL -- Alama Uluave -- San Diego State
TE -- Tanner Arkin -- Colorado State
Defense
DL -- Scott Matlock -- Boise State
DL -- Keshawn Banks -- San Diego State
DL -- Jonah Tavai -- San Diego State
DL -- Viliami Fehoko -- San José State
DL -- Cade Hall -- San José State
LB -- Vince Sanford -- Air Force
LB -- Caden McDonald -- San Diego State
LB -- Kyle Harmon -- San José State
DB -- JL Skinner -- Boise State
DB -- Evan Williams -- Fresno State
DB -- Jerrick Reed II -- New Mexico
DB -- Patrick McMorris -- San Diego State
Specialists
P -- Aaron Rodriguez -- New Mexico
PK -- Jonah Dalmas -- Boise State
PR -- Jordan Byrd -- San Diego State
KR -- Jordan Byrd -- San Diego State
Aztecs Dominate 2022 MW Preseason All-Conference Team
