It’s finally time to release our SIS All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our team of selections for 2023, plus some honorable mentions.

You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

These picks are meant to honor this season’s best-of-the-best in the Mountain West.

Offense

Air Force’s offensive line was dominant all season, and Adam Karras, Ethan Jackman, and Thor Paglialong all ranked top-5 in the conference in Blocking Total Points. Chevan Cordeiro led all quarterbacks in the conference in Passing Total Points and nearly doubled the total points of 2nd place on only nine more passing attempts.

Running backs Ashton Jeanty and Jacory Croskey-Merritt rank 1st and 2nd, respectively, in Total Points, and both running backs were top-10 in the conference in Broken/Missed Tackles per attempt.

Ricky White solidified himself as a certified deep threat, and aside from leading all Mountain West receivers in Total Points and EPA, he also led them in yards per route run, air yards, and intended air yards.

Defense

Mohamed Kamara led all Mountain West pass rushers with 26 Total Points and 61 total pressures. Bo Richter wasn’t far behind him with 24 Total Points and 24 quarterback hits, good enough for 2nd in both categories. Andrew Simpson was able to generate pressure on 20% of his pass rushes, which ranked 11th out of all Mountain West defenders with at least 10 pressures.

Alex Mock and Trey Taylor were both fantastic in coverage for Air Force as they each gave up 0.1 and 0.2 Yards per Coverage Snap, respectively. Trey Taylor also boasted the 2nd-lowest Passer Rating Against him with a rating of 8.2. Cameron Oliver was an all-around force for UNLV, tying his teammate and honorable mention, Jaxen Turner, to lead the conference in interceptions with 5 while also having 3 defensive touchdowns.

Specialists

Jose Pizano led the Mountain West in field goals made, attempted, and FG% while knocking in 100% of his extra point attempts (55-of-55).

James Ferguson-Reynolds was the best at pinning punts inside the 20 and the 10, and also boasted the highest net average in the conference.

Jacob de Jesus was dynamic as both a kick and punt returner this season. His 807 kick return yards is the highest in the Mountain West and lead 2nd place by nearly 250 yards.

Honorable Mentions

Air Force was able to run the ball all over, and with 3-of-5 of the offensive line making the all conference team, they still had some honorable mentions. Wesley Ndago and Caleb Rillos both posted a remarkably low Blown Block % of 0.9% in a run-heavy offense.

Morice Norris Jr. was lockdown all year, giving up only 0.4 yards per cover snap and a 40% completion percentage. Wyoming’s Easton Gibbs was a tackle machine, making nine tackles a game which ranked 5th in the conference.

Check out this year’s NFL Draft site to see how we feel some of these players project to the NFL.

Total Points, stats, and ranks as of 3/28/2023