All-American Anthony Adams and All-Conference performer Emmanuel Daigbe were both named to the Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference team as voted on by league media.
 
Adams, a junior defensive back, was an easy, and unanimous, choice after being a consensus All-American in 2019. The 6-foot, 185-pounder from Newberg had 24 passes defended last season (5 INTS, school-record 19 PBUs). He is expected to anchor the Viking defense in 2020 as he moves from an inside defensive back position to the boundary cornerback spot.
 
"He's a leader. He's a stalwart over there," said Viking Bruce Barnum of his All-American, who was named a team captain as a sophomore. "And, he makes sure the team is doing everything right, that we are set in the weight room, here around the Stott Center, and in everything we do."
 
Daigbe, a senior wide receiver from Kent, WA, was a do-it-all guy for the Vikings in 2019. He earned third team All-Big Sky honors as a wideout with 40 receptions, 651 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing 19 times for 87 yards and another score. The 6-1, 210-pounder also had a big impact on special teams, making 11 tackles with one fumble recovery and averaging 19.5 yards on kick returns.
 
The preseason All-Conference team release was part of the Big Sky Conference Virtual Kickoff taking place on Thursday and Friday. Viking quarterback Davis Alexander was featured in player interviews on Friday morning on Pluto TV. Head Coach Bruce Barnum appeared on Thursday morning during the coaching interview segments.
 
"It's a quarterback conference. It always has been," said Barnum. "I like mine, but everyone else likes their (quarterback) too. The advantage of having Davis is how tough he is, and how productive he is. He is a winner and cares more about the game than anyone. His leadership and toughness are his key assets."
 
The preseason polls were also released on Thursday with PSU landing in seventh in the media poll and eighth in the coaches' poll in the 13-team Big Sky Conference.
 
"This conference is such a demon. It's brutal week to week," said Barnum. "We're excited right now. I know we have good kids, but now I think we have a damn good football team.
 
"I think we are going to be able to score. I like us offensively. I like how we bolstered some positions that were already strong. Between my quarterback and a corps of receivers we have that are smart, tough, productive football players. We added a little bit there as well. We have that stable of running backs that I love, there are some guys who I think will be really productive in this conference including a freshman all the way up to a senior."
 
2020 Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team
Offensive MVP: Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington, QB
Defensive MVP: Jace Lewis, Montana, LB
 
Offense

• QB: Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington
• WR: Samuel Akem, Montana
• WR: Samori Toure, Montana
• WR: Pierre Williams, Sacramento State
• OL: Conlan Beaver, Montana
• OL: Ben Bos, Weber State
• OL: Lewis Kidd, Montana State (Unanimous selection)
• OL: Tristen Taylor, Eastern Washington
• OL: Taylor Tuiasosopo, Montana State
• OL: Ty Whitworth, Weber State (Unanimous selection)
• TE: Marshel Martin, Sacramento State
• RB: Josh Davis, Weber State
• RB: Elijah Dotson, Sacramento State
• FB: Clay Moss, Weber State
• AP: BJ Perkinson, Sacramento State
• K: Luis Aguilar, Northern Arizona
• PR: Rashid Shaheed, Weber State
• KR: Malik Flowers, Montana

 
Defense

• DT: Bryce Rodgers, UC Davis
• DT: Jared Scheiss, Weber State
• DE: Josiah Erickson, Sacramento State
• DE: George Tarlas, Weber State
• OLB: Nick Eaton, UC Davis
• OLB: Christian Ellis, Idaho
• ILB: Jace Lewis, Montana
• ILB: Tre Walker, Idaho

DB: Anthony Adams, Portland State (Unanimous selection)

• DB: Daron Bland, Sacramento State
• DB: Robby Hauck, Montana
• DB: Eddie Heckard, Weber State
• DB: Devon King, UC Davis
• P: DJ Arnson, Northern Arizona

ST: Emmanuel Daigbe, Portland State