Senior offensive lineman Gavin Ortega and junior cornerback Montae Pate were named to the first team.

Ortega played 41 career games at WSU, including all 12 as a starter this season, and elevated to the first team after being a second-team selection in 2024.

Pate got his first career all-conference nod with his first-team selection, totaling one interception and nine pass breakups with 53 tackles.

Senior tight end Noah Bennee, senior kicker Sloan Calder and junior defensive tackle Matt Herron were named to the All-Big Sky Second Team. Calder, a Morgan High graduate, was 18 of 21 on field goals this season and had the second-most FGs in the country.

Junior linebacker Mayson Hitchens and senior safety Angel King earned honorable mentions.

The Big Sky’s individual awards were announced as follows: Montana running back Eli Gillman as offensive player of the year, Montana State defensive back Caden Dowler as defensive player of the year, Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson as newcomer of the year, UC Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick as unanimous freshman of the year, and Montana State’s Brent Vigen as coach of the year.

HARDING SHINES, THREATT PICKED UP

Dillon Jones is finding a role in his new home, Jerrick Harding shone in his debut for a national team and Blaise Threatt will get a crack at professional ball as Weber State men’s basketball alumni remain in the news.

In his second professional season, Jones (2020-24) landed in the Portland Trail Blazers organization and is six games into the NBA G League season with the Rip City Remix. He’s averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a starter for the Remix, who are 4-2 so far this season.

Harding (2016-20) made his national team debut after being naturalized by Poland and delivered a gem for his team squad in a 90-78 win over Austria in qualifying play for the 2027 World Cup on Friday. Harding totaled 32 points and five assists on 11-of-21 shooting to lead Poland.

Harding is in his sixth professional season; after three years in Spain, he’s now starring for Rytas in Lithuania. Through 11 games with Rytas, he’s averaging 19.3 points in just 21.9 minutes per game with shooting splits of 58.6% overall, 47.7% from 3 and 92.1% at the free-throw line.

And Threatt (2023-25) may soon get an opportunity to make his name. The G League’s Grand Rapids (Michigan) Gold signed Threatt as a free agent Friday. Threatt spent NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks but did not take the court in any games.