OGDEN, Utah -- NAU picked up five selections to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team, announced Monday.
Leading the way were seniors linebacker Austin Hasquet, offensive lineman Roy Garcia, and tight end RJ Rickert. Junior fullback Nick Butier and sophomore offensive lineman Jacob Julian round out the five.
Hasquet led the Lumberjacks in tackles with 91 en route to second team all-conference honors last season. He started all 12 games in 2013 and tied for a team-high three interceptions.
Rickert, an All-American last season, caught 22 passes for a total of 246 yards. The first-team all-conference honoree played in 11 games and led all tight ends in receiving yards.
Butier, an All-Big Sky second-team pick a year ago, appeared in all 12 games and garnered seven starts. He had five carries for 11 yards and caught five passes for a total of 40 yards.
Garcia, a second-team all-conference selection a year ago, started all 12 games for NAU -- 11 at center.
Julian returns after amazing campaign last year. He started all 12 games for the Lumberjacks and earned All-Big Sky second-team honors a year ago.
Preseason All-Conference Team
Offensive MVP - Vernon Adams, Jr., QB, Eastern Washington
Defensive MVP - Zack Wagenmann, Sr., DE, Montana
OFFENSE
QB - Vernon Adams, Jr., Eastern Washington*
RB - Kristaan Ivory, Sr., Cal Poly
RB - Gabe Manzanares, Sr., UC Davis
FB - Nick Butier, Jr, NAU
TE - R.J. Rickert, Sr., NAU
OG - Trevor Poole, Sr., Montana
OG - Cornelius Edison, Sr., Portland State
OG - JP Flynn, So., Montana State
C - Roy Garcia, Sr., NAU*
OT - Clay DeBord, Jr., Eastern Washington*
OT - Jacob Julian, So., NAU
WR - Cooper Kupp, So., Eastern Washington*
WR - DeAndre Carter, Sr., Sacramento State
WR - Ellis Henderson, Jr., Montana
K - Brady Stuart, Jr., UC Davis*
Ret - Shawn Johnson, Sr., Montana State
DEFENSE
DE - Zack Wagenmann, Sr., Montana*
DE - James Cowser, Jr., Southern Utah
DT - Tonga Takai, Sr., Montana
DT - Dylan Zylstra, Sr., Eastern Washington
LB - Ronnie Hamlin, Sr., Eastern Washington
LB - Austin Hasquet, Sr., NAU
LB - Nick Dzubnar, Sr., Cal Poly
LB - Leilon Willingham, Sr., Northern Colorado
CB - Deonte Flowers, Sr., Montana State
CB - Deon’tae Florence, Sr., Weber State
S - Matt Hermanson, Sr., Montana
S - Tevin McDonald, Sr., Eastern Washington
P - Kyle Loomis, Sr., Portland State
ST - Chad Newell, So., Montana State
* - unanimous selection
