Idaho football standouts Kaden Elliss and Noah Johnson were named the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team, released Tuesday. Johnson was selected to the second team at offensive line, while Elliss was a third-team choice at linebacker.
 
The Big Sky Conference landed 15 student-athletes on the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team, the second most of any conference.
 
Johnson was one of three Big Sky offensive linemen recognized. Coming into his junior season, Johnson has already started 22 games as a Vandal. He was named All-Sun Belt Second Team last season. In 2016, Johnson was a member of the Sun Belt All-Newcomer Team.
 
Elliss earned All-Sun Belt accolades each of the past two seasons. He enters his senior campaign with 228 career tackles, including 32 for loss and 10 sacks. Elliss has intercepted five passes, forced five fumbles, recovered three and blocked a kick. He is also expected to play an expanded role in the Vandal offense this season at tight end, where he caught seven passes last season for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, Elliss was named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile college football player.
 
Elliss and Johnson were both named to the All-Big Sky Preseason Team, along with punter Cade Coffey.
 
The 2018 season marks Idaho football's return to the Big Sky. The Vandals won eight league titles as a charter member of the Big Sky from 1963-1995. Idaho advanced to the NCAA Playoffs in 11 of their final 14 seasons in the conference.
 
Fall camp begins Friday (Aug. 3), and the season kicks off Sept. 1, at Fresno State. Idaho's home opener is Sept. 8, against Western New Mexico. The Vandals open Big Sky play Sept. 22, at UC Davis and the first home conference game is Sept. 29, against Portland State.
 
Season tickets and two-game flex packs are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at GoVandals.com/tickets, by calling 208-885-6466 or visiting the Athletic Ticket Office in the Kibbie Dome.