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EWU’s Cooper Kupp unanimous preseason Big Sky pick

EWU wide receiver Cooper Kupp, working out during spring football practice last March 31, is one of three unanimous picks on the Big Sky preseason all-league team. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
EWU wide receiver Cooper Kupp, working out during spring football practice last March 31, is one of three unanimous picks on the Big Sky preseason all-league team. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp leads the 2016 Big Sky Conference Preseason All-Conference Football Team.

Kupp, who is the reigning FCS Offensive Player of the Year, was selected as the Big Sky’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Eastern Washington’s Kupp was a consensus All-American in 2015, earning the Big Sky’s Offensive Player of the Year award. Kupp caught 114 passes for 1,642 yards, and 19 touchdowns. The incoming senior also earned the FCS ADA Offensive Player of the Year award.

Montana defensive end Caleb Kidder was selected as the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, after registering 82 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Griz in 2015.

Defending Big Sky champion Southern Utah led all teams by placing five players on the list, including linebacker Mike Needham, wide receiver Mike Sharp and punter Tate Lewis. Also representing the Thunderbirds were tight end Steven Wroblewski and defensive tackle Chance Bearnson.

Northern Arizona and Weber State each had four selections on the team led by the reigning FCS Freshman of the Year, NAU quarterback Case Cookus. Cookus, who was the Big Sky Co-Freshman of the Year in 2015, is joined by wide receiver Emmanuel Butler, center Blake Porter and offensive tackle Jacob Julian.

Two Wildcats offensive linemen, and a pair of defensive standouts, made the list for Weber State, including guard Cameron Young, tackle Calvin Steyn, inside linebacker Emmett Tela and cornerback Taron Johnson.

North Dakota running back John Santiago was one of three unanimous selections on the team, along with Kupp and Cal Poly fullback Joe Protheroe.

A summer after providing one of college football’s feel-good seasons, the Portland State Vikings had three players earn preseason nods, including cornerback Xavier Coleman, defensive end Davond Dade and placekicker Jonathan Gonzales. All three were all-conference selections at the end of the 2015 season.

Northern Colorado’s special teams duo of Hakeem Deggs and Ellis Onic II were selected as the preseason special teams player, and return specialist, respectively. Both earned first-team All-Big Sky honors in 2015.