ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech Trailblazers Syrus Webster, Will Leota and Rickie Johnson were all selected to the preseason All United Athletic Conference football team.
According to Utah Tech Athletics Media Relations, Webster was named the conference’s preseason defensive Player of the Year and was selected to the all-defensive team.
Leota was also named to the defensive team while Johnson was named to the preseason all-offensive team.
Webster, a junior defensive lineman, was an all-Western Athletic Conference performer last year after he co-led the conference in sacks (5.5) and led the Trailblazers with 10 tackles for loss. He recorded 42 tackles over the season and also earned all-WAC Academic honors.
Leota, a sophomore linebacker, was a two-time second team all-WAC selection and last year led the conference with 84 tackles.
Johnson, a junior wide receiver, enjoyed a banner 2022 season, which saw him post career highs receiving yards (697), receptions (40) and touchdowns (6).
Utah Tech was picked to finish in a tie for seventh in the inaugural United Athletic Conference coaches poll, which was released earlier this week. The Trailblazers received one first-place vote and tallied 25 points in the poll, which tied them with in-state rival Southern Utah University.
Eastern Kentucky, which made the FCS playoffs last year, was picked by coaches to win the UAC. Central Arkansas was second, Austin Peay was third.
Stephen F. Austin was picked to finish fourth, Abilene Christian fifth, Tarelton State sixth and then Utah Tech and SUU tied for seventh. North Alabama was picked last.
EKU senior quarterback Parker McKinney was selected at the conference’s offensive Player of the Year.
The Trailblazers will kick off the 2023 season on the road in Bozeman, Montana, against No. 3 Montana State on Saturday, Sept. 2.
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