College Football News Preseason All-Mountain West Football Team: Preview 2021

Preview 2021: Previewing and looking ahead with the College Football News Preseason All-Mountain West Team & Top 30 players.

Preview 2021: Previewing and looking ahead to the Mountain West season with the College Football News Preseason All-Mountain West Team & Top 30 players. 


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2021 Mountain West Team Previews
Mountain Air Force | Boise St | Colorado St
New Mexico | Utah State | Wyoming
West Fresno St | Hawaii | Nevada
San Diego State | San Jose State | UNLV
2021 CFN Preseason All-MW Team
2021 CFN Mountain West Top 30 Players


2021 Preseason CFN Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year

QB Carson Strong, Jr. Nevada

It’s going to be a huge year for Mountain West quarterbacks. Boise State’s Hank Bachmeier is going to be special if he can stay healthy, Fresno State’s Jake Heaner will put up massive numbers, San Jose State’s Nick Starkel is playing his 14th year of college football, and Kentucky transfer Terry Wilson should jumpstart New Mexico. But Nevada has a guy who’s about to rise up the NFL Draft charts in a hurry.

The 6-4, 215-pound Strong doesn’t run much, but he’s accurate – hitting 70% of his passes last year with just four picks – and he knows how to push the downfield passing game. The Wolf Pack are loaded, and Strong’s about to come up with a giant year.

2021 Preseason CFN Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year

DE Cade Hall, Sr. San Jose State

Take your pick of at least ten Mountain West defensive players who have a case to be here, and it’s hardly even a lock that Hall will be the best defensive end in a conference loaded with terrific pass rushers. Even the guy on the other side of Hall – Viliami Fehoko – might deserve this spot.

But going into the season, the 6-3, 270-pound force should once again be one of the nation’s best pass rushers after coming up with ten sacks and 12 tackles for loss in just seven games. With a loaded defense around him to take the heat off, Hall should dominate.

NEXT: CFN 2021 Preseason All-Mountain West Team

Preview 2020: College Football News All-Mountain West Team

Preview 2020: Previewing the Mountain West season with the College Football News All-Mountain West Team & Top 30 players

Preview 2020: Previewing and looking ahead to the Mountain West season with the College Football News All-Mountain West Team & Top 30 players. 


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews  

2020 CFN All-Mountain West Team
2020 CFN Top 30 Mountain West Players

2020 Preseason CFN Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year

RB Xazavian Valladay, Jr. Wyoming

Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl might be known for his coaching up of Carson Wentz and Josh Allen into NFL stars, but his Cowboy teams have been all about defense and great running games.

There was a dip in 2017, but Brian Hill ripped off 1,860 yards and 22 scores in 2016, Nico Evans ran for 1,325 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018, and Xazavian Valladay ran for 1,265 yards and six scores last season – and he’s just getting started.

The 6-0, 196-pound quick back hit Missouri for 118 yards and a score to start the season, but didn’t get rolling until the second half of the season with six 100-yard games in the last seven, including a 204-yard effort in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl win over Georgia State.

This is a bit of a projection with so many other great Mountain West backs, receivers, and the potential of Boise State QB Hank Bachmeier, but watch out. Valladay is about to take off.

2020 Mountain West Team Previews
Mountain Air Force | Boise St | Colorado St
New Mexico | Utah State | Wyoming
West Fresno State | Hawaii | Nevada
San Diego State | San Jose State | UNLV


CFN in 60 Video: Nevada Preview
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2020 Preseason CFN Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year

DE Dom Peterson, Jr. Nevada

He doesn’t quite fit the type.

When it comes to pass rushers, everyone wants a Chase Young type who fits a hybrid role of part defensive end and part linebacker, and that’s not Peterson. The Mountain West’s best pass rusher is part defensive tackle, part bowling ball, and all pass rusher.

The 6-0, 295-pounder played at way over 300 as a freshman and still made 44 tackles with three sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, and then last season it all blew up with 40 tackles, nine sacks, and 15 tackles for loss – leading the league at getting into the backfield.

Best of all, he was steady with at least a sack in eight of the 12 games and a tackle for loss against everyone but Hawaii. The motor doesn’t stop, the production will continue to be there, and in a conference that’s beyond loaded with great talent – several San Diego State and Boise State defenders could be here – Peterson is about to stand out again.

NEXT: CFN 2020 Preseason All-Mountain West Team