As the 2024 football season approaches, media previews of what lies ahead and who will stand out become prevalent. In that vein, Phil Steele's College Football Preview has named three Portland State Vikings to its Preseason All-Big Sky Conference teams.
 
Sophomore linebacker Michael Montgomery was named first team All-Big Sky. Senior defensive back Tyreese Shakir was tabbed second team All-Big Sky and sophomore running back Quincy Craig was third team All-Big Sky.
 
Montgomery was named Preseason All-Big Sky Conference in a vote of league media over the past weekend at the Big Sky Football Kickoff event. He now has a pair of first team honors. A 6-3, 230-pounder from Seattle's Garfield High School, Montgomery was named to two Freshman All-America teams at the end of last season.
 
Montgomery was a key player on the Viking defense in 2023 and should be a leader in 2024. He played in all 11 games, starting the last five. Montgomery ranked second on the team in tackles with 69 for the season, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. He had a season-high 14 tackles against Oregon in the season opener. Montgomery also had a 10-tackle game against Idaho State, and eight tackles and a fumble recovery in the Vikings' Dam Cup win over Eastern Washington. He added 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in the game against FCS national finalist Montana.
 
Shakir will be a fourth-year starter for the Vikings in 2024. He had 53 tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass breakups and an interception last season in 10 games. Over his career, Shakir, a 5-10, 170-pounder from Murrietta, CA, has 122 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and nine pass breakups.
 
Craig, a 5-9, 185-pound back from Garden Grove, CA, was on his way to a standout campaign in 2023 before an injury ended his season in game six. At that time he was leading the Big Sky in all-purpose yards at 124.0 per game. In his short time, Craig rushed 66 times for 410 yards and three touchdowns, caught 19 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns and also had 127 return yards. Big Sky coaches respected Craig enough to give him honorable mention All-Big Sky honors despite him appearing in only three league games.
 
The Vikings are just over a week away from starting their 2024 campaign. The first practice is Aug. 1 at Stott Community Field.

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