SPOKANE, Wash. – Five Vandals were named to the Big Sky Conference Preseason All-Conference team, announced by the league Sunday as part of the Big Sky Kickoff weekend in Spokane.
 
Junior tight end Jake Cox was the lone Idaho offensive player on the list. He caught just 12 passes a season ago, but racked up three touchdowns in the process and will look to have a bigger impact moving forward with the Vandals looking to replace much of its offensive firepower.
 
Three Vandal defensive players earned recognition. Sophomore Dallas Afalava and senior Keyshawn James-Newby anchor a deep defensive line unit. Afalava and James-Newby both racked up 5.0 sacks last season to tie for the team-high for Idaho. Afalava was named an FCS Football Central Preseason All-American. Both players were named among the top-25 returning FCS players at their position.
 
Senior defensive back Tommy McCormick was also named to the preseason team. He is the leading returning tackler for the Vandals and has earned All-Conference honors each of the last two years.
 
Transfer kick returner Abraham Williams, an All-American at Weber State retains a strong reputation among Big Sky coaches and picked up the preseason nod.
 
The Vandals begin fall camp on July 31.