COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- San Diego State football's Jack Browning has been named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year, the league announced Tuesday. An Aztec has now won the award five times (all over the last eight years), the most in the 24-year history of MW.
For a fourth straight year, SDSU had the most first-team all-MW selections with seven, three more than Fresno State and San Jose State's four. San Diego State also had the most combined first and second teamers (11 (FS was second with 8)) and the most all-conference selections overall (16). The 16 all-league selections for the Aztecs tied a program best (also 2001).
Making the first team were offensive lineman Alama Uluave, Jordan Byrd at both kick and punt returner, defensive lineman Jonah Tavai, linebacker Caden McDonald, safety Patrick McMorris and Browning at punter.
On the second team for SDSU were wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, tight end Mark Redman, offensive lineman Cade Bennett and linebacker Michael Shawcroft.
San Diego State also had five honorable mentions, including quarterback Jalen Mayden, wide receiver Jesse Matthews, defensive lineman Keshawn Banks, and cornerbacks Dez Malone and Dallas Branch.
The all-conference awards are voted on by the league's 12 head coaches and various media members from the league.
Handling all three kicking duties, Browning has made 17 of his 21 field goal attempts and all 28 PATs, leading the Aztecs with 79 points, more than the next three players combined. Browning has also punted 63 times for 2,898 yards (46.0 avg.) with a net average of 42.7 and a long of 63 yards. Out of his 63 punts, 28 have landed inside the 20-yard line, including 14 inside the 10 and six inside the 5. Browning also has kicked off 53 times for 3,394 yards (64.0 avg.) with 31 touchbacks.
According to Pro Football Focus, Browning has the best punt grade (87.2) in the country. Browning, who ranks third in SDSU single-season history in punt average (46.00), seventh in field goal percentage (80.95) and tied for seventh in field goals (17), is tied for the FBS lead in PAT percentage (100.00), and is tied for fourth in punts inside the 20-yard line (28, 1st in MW), sixth in net punt average (42.67, 1st in MW), eighth in punt average (46.00, 1st in MW), tied for 11th in kickoff average (64.04, 1st in MW), and tied for 24th in field goals per game (1.42, 4th in MW) and made field goals (17, T-3rd in MW).
Uluave made the first team after earning honorable mention last season. A member of the Rimington Trophy Watch List (most outstanding center) and the Outland Trophy Watch List (top interior lineman), Uluave is graded out as the top center in the league by Pro Football Focus in pass block rating (78.5, min. 300 passing opportunities) and fifth among all linemen in the league. He's allowed just one sack in 367 passing chances, playing 746 out of the team's 755 offensive snaps overall.
Byrd, meanwhile, became the first San Diego State player to make a MW first team at both kick returner and punt returner. The preseason MW Special Teams Player of the Year, Byrd has returned 19 kickoffs for 487 yards (25.6 avg.) with a 95-yard touchdown and also returned 17 punts for 115 yards (6.8 avg.) and another score. It is Byrd's third career all-MW award at kick returner, having been a second-team pick in 2020 and a first-team selection in 2021. Byrd has also rushed 91 times for a team-high 389 yards (4.3 avg.) with three touchdowns, while adding eight catches for 53 yards (6.6 avg.) with a touchdown, making him the first FBS player with at least one rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, kick return touchdown and punt return touchdown in the same season since Temple's Isaiah Wright in 2018 and just the second MW player in league history (also former Aztec Rashaad Penny in 2017). Byrd leads the MW in combined kick/punt return yards (602, 8th in FBS) and kick return yards (487, 8th in FBS), and is tied for first in kick return touchdowns (1, T-2nd in FBS) and punt return touchdowns (1, T-5th in FBS), second in kick return average (25.63, 11th in FBS) and fourth in punt return yards (115, T-48th in FBS).
Tavai heads up a list of three SDSU players on the first-team defense. Tavai, who earned honorable mention in 2020-21, has 57 tackles (30 solo), including 12.5 tackles for loss (for 65 yards), nine sacks (for 62 yards), a forced fumble and 13 quarterback hurries in his 12 starts this season. Among the league leaders, Tavai is ranked second in sack yards (62, 14th in FBS), tied for second in sacks (9.0, T-14th in FBS), third in sacks per game (0.75, T-16th in FBS), fifth in tackle for loss yards (65, T-32nd in FBS) and seventh in tackles for loss (12.5, T-43rd in FBS). According to Pro Football Focus, Tavai has the second-highest pass rush grade in FBS (91.9, min. 300 pass opportunities) and the fourth-highest defensive grade (92.1, min. 450 snaps), both marks which easily lead the Mountain West. Per PFF, he has the third-most quarterback pressures (61) in the country, the fourth-most hurries (39), and tied for the 13th-most QB hits (12).
McDonald made the all-MW first team for a third consecutive season, joining fellow Aztec Kirk Morrison (2002-04) as the only linebackers in league history (since 1999) to make three all-MW first teams. A member of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List (most outstanding defensive player), McDonald has totaled 41 tackles (16 solo) on the season in 12 starts, including two sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, an interception, two pass breakups and nine quarterback hurries.
McMorris landed on his second straight all-conference team, becoming just the second SDSU safety to make two all-MW first teams, joining Will Demps from 2000-01. The preseason MW Co-Defensive Player of the Year and member of both the preseason Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists, McMorris has 59 tackles (28 solo) in 11 starts on the season (missed Toledo game), including 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception, five pass breakups, a 30-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and a quarterback hurry. According to Pro Football Focus, when targeted this season, quarterbacks are 9-for-15 for 72 yards and one interception vs. McMorris, posting an 87.0 defensive pass efficiency rating, which ranks fourth in the league (min. 300 pass opportunities). PFF also rates him second in the league in pass coverage (90.3, min. just 110 pass opportunities).
Shavers became a second-team all-MW selection, the first San Diego State wide receiver to earn first or second-team honors since both Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson were first-team picks in 2010. Shavers has 34 catches for a team-high 581 yards (17.1 avg.) with three touchdowns, starting all 12 games, with a long reception of 66 yards. Shavers, who also has a blocked kick and return for a touchdown, leads the MW in yards per reception (17.09, 37th in FBS), and is tied for first in punt return touchdowns (1) (off a blocked punt), tied for second in blocked kicks (1, T-15th in FBS), tied for eighth in receiving yards (581) and tied for 10th in receiving yards per game (48.42).
Redman was selected as a second-team all-MW pick in his first season after transferring from Washington. A member of the Mackey Award Watch List for outstanding tight end, Redman has 20 catches for 224 yards (11.2 avg.) with a touchdown on the year with a long catch of 28 yards. Among MW tight ends, Redman ranks second in receiving yards (224) and yards per catch (11.2, min. 10 rec.), and tied for third in catches (20).
Bennett also made the MW second team in his first year after transferring from Oklahoma State. Starting all 12 games at left guard, Bennett has played 748 of the team's 755 offensive snaps this season, the most on the team. He's allowed only five quarterback pressures (no sacks) in 367 passing opportunities. According to Pro Football Focus, his 85.5 pass block rating is the second highest in the Mountain West among offensive linemen and first among MW guards (min. 300 pass opportunities).
Shawcroft was picked as a second-team honoree after earning honorable mention accolades a year ago. Shawcroft earned second-team honors despite leading the team with 77 tackles, 18 more than No. 2 on the team. He also has 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and six quarterback hurries, despite missing a game due to injury. Shawcroft ranks in a tie for sixth in the MW in tackles for loss per game (1.09, T-39th in FBS), a tie for eighth in total tackles for loss (12.0, T-56th in FBS), and a tie for 10th in tackle for loss yards (53, T-68th in FBS) and sacks per game (0.50).
Mayden became an honorable mention selection at quarterback, despite playing the first five games at safety. Mayden is the first Aztec quarterback since Ryan Lindley in 2010 (second team) to earn all-MW honors. He has completed 122 of 194 passes (62.9 pct.) for 1,721 yards and 10 touchdowns, owning a 147.2 pass efficiency rating, while rushing for 205 yards with three touchdowns on 57 carries (3.6 avg.). Since moving to quarterback for SDSU's Oct. 8 game against Hawai`i, Mayden leads the league in passing yards (1,721), yard per attempt (8.87, min. 100 att.) and yards per completion (14.11, min. 100 att.), and is fourth in pass efficiency rating (147.2, min. 100 att.) and fifth in touchdown passes (10).
Matthews made his first all-MW team after being named a preseason all-conference pick. On the year, Matthews has a team-high 38 catches for 409 yards (10.8 avg.) with three touchdowns and a long catch of 28 yards. Matthews, who had a touchdown catch in three straight games in November, enters the Hawai`i Bowl ranked eighth in school history in receptions (167), 14th in receiving yards (2,010) and tied for 14th in receiving touchdowns (15).
Banks landed on his fourth all-MW team having now earned second-team accolades in 2019 and 2021, and honorable mention status in 2020 and 2022. A MW preseason all-conference selection, Banks has 33 tackles (12 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and six quarterback hurries in 12 starts this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he is tied for fifth in the MW in quarterback hits (8).
Playing the first defensive snaps of his career after spending the first two years only on special teams, Malone made his first all-MW team as an honorable-mention selection, totaling 41 tackles (33 solo) with a tackle for loss, two interceptions and five pass breakups. Malone has started the past 10 games and has played 518 of the 798 snaps overall, the most among Aztec cornerbacks (No. 2 is 368).
Branch played well down the stretch to join Malone as Aztec all-conference cornerbacks. Branch has 29 tackles on the season (21 solo), including five tackles for loss and a sack, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups in 12 games (four starts). He had an interception in three straight games from Nov. 5-18, which is tied for the longest in FBS play this season. Only two SDSU players since 2007 have had a longer streak - Larry Parker in 2011 and Vonnie Holmes in 2007, each with four.
San Diego State (7-5) will play Middle Tennessee (7-5) in the 2022 EasyPost Hawai`i Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. HST (5 p.m. PST). The Aztecs are in a bowl game for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons after withdrawing from consideration in the shortened 2020 COVID season.
Ticket information will be released soon.
2022 Mountain West All-Conference Football Awards (All winners)
Offensive Player of the Year
Brad Roberts, Sr., RB, Air Force
Defensive Player of the Year
Viliami Fehoko, Sr., DL, San José State
Special Teams Player of the Year
Jack Browning, Sr., P/PK, San Diego State
Freshman of the Year
Taylen Green, QB, Boise State
Coach of the Year
Andy Avalos, Boise State
2022 Mountain West All-Conference Football Awards
First Team Offense
QB Jake Haener, Sr., Fresno State
WR Tory Horton, Jr., Colorado State
WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper, Sr., Fresno State
WR Elijah Cooks, Sr., San José State
RB Brad Roberts, Sr., Air Force
RB Jordan Mims, Sr., Fresno State
TE Caleb Phillips, Sr., Hawai`i
OL Isaac Cochran, Sr., Air Force
OL John Ojukwu, Sr., Boise State
OL Ilm Manning, Sr., Hawai`i
OL Alama Uluave, Sr., San Diego State
OL Alfred Edwards, Sr., Utah State
PK John Hoyland, So., Wyoming
KR Jordan Byrd, Sr., San Diego State
First Team Defense
DL David Perales, Sr., Fresno State
DL Jonah Tavai, Sr., San Diego State
DL Viliami Fehoko, Sr., San José State
DL Cade Hall, Sr., San José State
LB Caden McDonald, Sr., San Diego State
LB Kyle Harmon, Sr., San José State
LB Austin Ajiake, Sr., UNLV
LB Easton Gibbs, So., Wyoming
DB JL Skinner, Sr., Boise State
DB Jack Howell, So., Colorado State
DB Bentlee Sanders, Sr., Nevada
DB Patrick McMorris, Sr., San Diego State
P Jack Browning, Sr., San Diego State
PR Jordan Byrd, Sr., San Diego State
Second Team Offense
QB Chevan Cordeiro, Jr., San José State
WR Nikko Remigio, Sr., Fresno State
WR Tyrell Shavers, Sr., San Diego State
WR Brian Cobbs, Sr., Utah State
RB George Holani, Jr., Boise State
RB Calvin Tyler Jr., Sr., Utah State
TE Mark Redman, Jr., San Diego State
OL Everett Smalley, Jr., Air Force
OL Cade Beresford, Sr., Boise State
OL Bula Schmidt, Sr., Fresno State
OL Micah Vanterpool, Sr., Hawai`i
OL Cade Bennett, So., San Diego State
PK Daniel Gutierrez, Sr., UNLV
KR Christian Washington, Fr., New Mexico
Second Team Defense
DL Scott Matlock, Sr., Boise State
DL Mohamed Kamara, Sr., Colorado State
DL Dom Peterson, Sr., Nevada
DL Adam Plant, Jr., Sr., UNLV
LB Vince Sanford, Sr., Air Force
LB Ezekiel Noa, Sr., Boise State
LB DJ Schramm, Sr., Boise State
LB Michael Shawcroft, Sr., San Diego State
DB Trey Taylor, Jr., Air Force
DB Evan Williams, Sr., Fresno State
DB A.J. Haulcy, Fr., New Mexico
DB Ike Larsen, Fr., Utah State
P Aaron Rodriguez, Jr., New Mexico
PR Nikko Remigio, Sr., Fresno State
Honorable Mention
Air Force: Haaziq Daniels, QB; TD Blackmon, LB; Camby Goff, S; Matthew Dapore, PK; David Cormier, WR
Boise State: Jonah Dalmas, PK; Taylen Green, QB; Caleb Biggers, CB; Ashton Jeanty, RB; Tyreque Jones, DB
Colorado State: Tory Horton, PR; Jacob Gardner, OL; CJ Onyechi, DL; Dequan Jackson, LB; Chigozie Anusiem, DB
Fresno State: Levelle Bailey, LB; Jacob Spomer, OL; Raymond Pauwels, Jr., TE; Malachi Langley, LB; Mose Vavao, OL
Hawai`i: Blessman Ta'ala, DL; Dedrick Parson, RB; John Tuitupou, DL; Tylan Hines, RB; Peter Manuma, S
Nevada: Toa Taua, RB; Drue Watts, LB; Tyson Williams, DB; Grant Starck, OL; B.J. Casteel, WR
New Mexico: Jerrick Reed, S; Cody Moon, LB; J.C. Davis, OL; Reco Hannah, LB; Donte Martin, CB
San Diego State: Jalen Mayden, QB; Jesse Matthews, WR; Keshawn Banks, DE; Dez Malone, CB; Dallas Branch, CB
San José State: Tre Jenkins, S; Dominick Mazotti, TE; Justin Lockhart, WR; Chase Williams, DB; Nehemiah Shelton, CB
UNLV: Eliel Ehimare, DL; Aidan Robbins, RB; Nohl Williams, DB; Doug Brumfield, QB; Leif Fautanu, OL
Utah State: Hunter Reynolds, S; Calvin Tyler, Jr., Sr; Chandler Dolphin, OL; Daniel Grzesiak, DE; MJ Tafisi, LB
Wyoming: Clayton Stewart, P; DeVonne Harris, DE; Treyton Welch, TE; Cam Stone, CB; Andrew Peasley, QB
Browning Named MW Special Teams Player of the Year
