Vandals land eight on Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Sky football team
Idaho’s Cutrell Haywood, entering his junior season, has been named first team punt returner on the All-Big Sky preseason team.
Photo courtesy University of Idaho
MOSCOW — The annual Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Sky teams have been released and there are a lot of familiar faces for Vandal fans. Idaho football placed eight, including thee who earned first team recognition.
Christian Elliss and Tre Walker continue to lead the way for the Vandals and were both selected as first team honorees at linebacker. Both were also recognized last week by the conference during the Big Sky Football Virtual Kickoff. Cutrell Haywood, entering his junior season with the Vandals, took home first team honors as a punt returner. Haywood finished second in the Big Sky a season ago in punt return average.
There was a heavy presence from the Vandal defense on the list. Charles Akanno and Tyrese Dedmon were both second team selections, while Jonah Kim earned the third-team nod. Akanno finished fifth on the team in total tackles and led the Vandals with 13.5 tackles for loss despite suffering a season-ending injury. Dedmon stepped up as a starter in 2019, while Kim made an immediate impact in his first season with the program.
Nick Romano earned a spot on the second team as a kick returner after earning All-Big Sky First Team honors as a freshman a season ago. Logan Floyd was the lone Vandal to be recognized on offense, as a third team selection on the offensive line.
The Vandals are scheduled to begin fall camp on Aug. 7.