Preseason Honors for Aztec Football

San Diego State football players have garnered several preseason honors and many are on watch lists for prominent national awards:

Gavin Escobar, junior, tight end:

• 2012 John Mackey Award Preseason watch list, awarded to the most outstanding collegiate tight end.
• Tight End Trophy watch list by the College Football Performance Awards.
• 2012 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, awarded to the nation’s top college lineman or linebacker each year.

Leon McFadden, senior, defensive back:

• Defensive Back Trophy watch list by the College Football Performance Awards.
• Jim Thorpe Award watch list, awarded to the top defensive back.

Alec Johnson, senior, center:

• 2012 Fall watch list for the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's best center.

Colin Lockett, junior wide, receiver:

• 2012 Biletnikoff Award watch list by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, awarded to the nation's most outstanding college football wide receiver.

Walter Kazee, senior, running back:

• 2012 Doak Walker Award watch list, awarded annually to the nation’s top  running back.

Two preseason All-Mountain West Conference teams, published by college football experts,  Athlon Sports’ and Phil Steel, feature several Aztecs:

Preseason All-Mountain West team players include:

• Colin Lockett, junior, wide receiver
• Gavin Escobar, junior, tight end
• Leon McFadden, senior, cornerback
• Brice Butler, senior, wide receiver
• Alec Johnson, senior, center
• Nik Embernate, junior, offensive guard
• Nat Berhe, junior, safety
• Jake Fely, sophomore, linebacker
• Ryan Katz, senior, quarterback
• Dylan Denso, junior, wide receiver

San Diego State’s new quarterback Ryan Katz was also named a top-10 impact transfer by Athlon sports. The fifth-year senior transferred from Oregon State. He finished spring practices as the starting quarterback.

Preseason updates

Check this story for updates about additional preseason honors for Aztec players.