Athlon Sports Preseason All-Mountain West Team Features Twelve Warriors

The University of Hawai’i saw 12 of its members named to the Athlon Preseason All-Mountain West team, with four of them making it to the first two teams. Wide receiver Steven McBride was the sole Rainbow Warrior on the first team, while quarterback Brayden Schager, wide receiver Pofele Ashlock, and linebacker Jalen Smith were named to the second team.

McBride and Ashlock were the top two leading receivers for the team, combining for 146 receptions, 1,856 yards, and 18 touchdowns. Schager led the Mountain West in passing yards (3,542) and touchdowns (26) in his first season in the Run-and-Shoot offense. Smith started the final eight games of the season and finished third on the team in tackles (67) with nine tackles-for-loss.

Five other players were selected for the third team, including offensive lineman Luke Felix-Fualalo, defensive lineman Ezra Evaimalo, linebacker Logan Taylor, cornerback Cam Stone, and safety Peter Manuma. Three more players made it to the fourth team – running back Tylan Hines, defensive lineman Dion Washington, and cornerback Virdel Edwards II.

Felix-Fualalo was graded as the No. 3 tackle in the Mountain West last season, with Evaimalo at No. 2 for interior lineman. Washington, a transfer from Nevada, was ranked No. 4 for interior lineman last season with the Wolf Pack. Manuma led the team in tackles and interceptions, while Stone has earned honorable mention all-MW honors for the past three seasons. Taylor’s 2023 season was cut short due to injury after leading the team in tackles the previous season. Hines, an honorable mention all-MW pick in 2022, was sidelined last season and redshirted. Edwards started 22 games at cornerback over the last two seasons.

The team composition was: First-Team Offense: WR Steven McBride, Second-Team Offense: QB Brayden Schager, WR Pofele Ashlock, Second-Team Defense: LB Jalen Smith, Third-Team Offense: OL Luke Felix-Fualalo, Third-Team Defense: DL Ezra Evaimalo, LB Logan Taylor, CB Cam Stone, S Peter Manuma, Fourth-Team Offense: RB Tylan Hines, Fourth-Team Defense: DL Dion Washington, CB Virdel Edwards II.

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