CSU’s Mohamed Kamara named Mountain West defensive player of the year; 8 Rams, Air Force players make all-conference first team

Colorado State’s Mohamed Kamara on Tuesday was named the Mountain West Conference’s defensive player of the year and led a group of eight players from CSU and Air Force who were named to all-conference first team.

The 6-foot-1, 250-pound defensive end led the Mountain West in tackles for a loss (17) and sacks (13). Kamara, a graduate defensive end, is second in conference history in career sacks (30.5) and his total this season was fourth-most in the Mountain West record book.

He is the third CSU player to receive the award, joining linebackers Rick Crowell (2000) and Shaquil Barrett (2013).

Kamara is one four Rams named to the all-conference first team, joined by senior wide receiver Tory Horton, junior tight end Dallin Holker and junior defensive back Jack Howell. Horton was also named a second-team punt returner. He was joined by senior offensive lineman Jacob Gardner and junior linebacker Chase Wilson.

Air Force also has four first-team selections in senior offensive lineman Thor Paglialong, senior defensive lineman PJ Ramsey, senior linebacker Bo Richter and senior defensive back Trey Taylor. Three Falcons players were named to the second team: senior running back Emmanuel Michel, senior offensive lineman Adam Karas and linebacker Alec Mock.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is the offensive player of the year. UNLV placekicker Jose Pizano is the special teams player of the year and Rebels quarterback Jayden Maiava is the freshman of the year.

All-Mountain West first team

• QB Chevan Cordeiro, Sr., San José State
• WR Tory Horton, Sr., Colorado State
• WR Ricky White III, Jr., UNLV
• WR Jalen Royals, Jr., Utah State
• RB Ashton Jeanty, So., Boise State
• RB Kairee Robinson, So., San José State
• TE Dallin Holker, Jr., Colorado State
• OL Thor Paglialong, Sr., Air Force
• OL Cade Beresford, Sr., Boise State
• OL JC Davis, Jr., New Mexico
• OL Tiger Shanks, Jr., UNLV
• OL Frank Crum, Gr., Wyoming
• PK Jose Pizano, Sr., UNLV
• KR Jacob De Jesus, Jr., UNLV
• DL PJ Ramsey, Sr., Air Force
• DL Ahmed Hassanein, Jr., Boise State
• DL Mohamed Kamara, Gr., Colorado State
• DL Tre Smith, So., San José State
• LB Bo Richter, Sr., Air Force
• LB Jackson Woodard, Jr., UNLV
• LB MJ Tafisi Jr., Sr., Utah State
• LB Easton Gibbs, Jr., Wyoming
• DB Trey Taylor, Sr., Air Force
• DB Jack Howell, Jr., Colorado State
• DB Emany Johnson, Sr., Nevada
• DB Ike Larsen, So., Utah State
• P James Ferguson-Reynolds, So., Boise State
• PR Jacob De Jesus, Jr., UNLV

All-Mountain West second team

• QB Jayden Maiava, R-Fr., UNLV
• WR Steven McBride, Sr., Hawai‘i
• WR Nick Nash, Jr., San José State
• WR Terrell Vaughn, Sr., Utah State
• RB Emmanuel Michel, Sr., Air Force
• RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Sr., New Mexico
• TE Mark Redman, Sr., San Diego State
• OL Adam Karas, Sr., Air Force
• OL Kage Casey, R-Fr., Boise State
• OL Jacob Gardner, Sr., Colorado State
• OL Mose Vavao, Sr., Fresno State
• OL Cade Bennett, Jr., San Diego State
• PK Jonah Dalmas, Sr., Boise State
• KR Terrell Vaughn, Sr., Utah State
• DL Jalen Dixon, Jr., UNLV
• DL Devo Bridges, Sr., Fresno State
• DL Soane Toia, Jr., San José State
• DL Jordan Bertagnole, Jr., Wyoming
• LB Alec Mock, Sr., Air Force
• LB Andrew Simpson, So., Boise State
• LB Chase Wilson, Jr., Colorado State
• LB Levelle Bailey, Sr., Fresno State
• DB Carlton Johnson, Sr., Fresno State
• DB Morice Norris Jr., Sr., Fresno State
• DB Noah Tumblin, Sr., San Diego State
• DB Cameron Oliver, Jr., UNLV
• P Jack Browning, Sr., San Diego State
• PR Tory Horton, Sr., Colorado State

Honorable mentions

Air Force: Matthew Dapore, PK; Jayden Goodwin, DB; Zac Larrier, QB.

Colorado State: Chigozie Anusiem, CB; Henry Blackburn, S; Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, QB; Drew Moss, OL; Justus Ross-Simmons, WR.

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