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Defensive MVP pick Brody Grebe of Montana State headlines preseason All-Big Sky teams

Brody Grebe
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SPOKANE, WA — Montana State defensive end Brody Grebe was chosen as defensive MVP to headline the release of the preseason all-conference teams Sunday at the Big Sky Kickoff media event at the Northern Quest Casino and Resort.

In 12 games last season, Grebe had 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. He forced three fumbles and had six QB hurries. Melstone's Grebe finished with 50 total tackles and was a first-team all-conference selection.

Grebe is one of 15 players from Montana and Montana State to appear on the All-Big Sky list — nine for the Bobcats and six for the Grizzlies.

Leading Montana's representation is Junior Bergen, who appears on the all-conference team at three different spots: wide receiver, punt returner and as the all-purpose player.

A Billings Senior alum, Bergen has returned five punts for touchdowns in his career, an all-time Griz record. He returned two for scores in last year's playoffs as UM made a run to the FCS title game.

Bergen was named first-team All-Big Sky at both receiver and punt returner following the 2023 season.

The other Grizzlies to make the preseason list Sunday are running back Eli Gillman, last year's Jerry Rice Award winner as the top freshman in the FCS, offensive lineman Brandon Casey, linebacker Riley Wilson, defensive back Trevin Gradney, and special teams player Isiah Childs.

Montana State's Tommy Mellott was picked all-conference at quarterback. In nine games in 2023, Butte's Mellott completed 63% of his passes with 1,059 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. He rushed for 690 yards on the ground, averaging 8.1 yards per carry.

The other Bobcats on the all-conference team are fullback Rohan Jones, offensive linemen Marcus Wehr and Justus Perkins, linebacker Danny Uluilakepa, safety Rylan Ortt, punter Brendan Hall, and long snapper Tommy Sullivan.

Following is the full All-Big Sky preseason list:

2024 Big Sky preseason all-conference team

OFFENSE

QB — Tommy Mellott, Montana State

RB — Lan Larison, UC Davis (offensive MVP)

RB — Eli Gillman, Montana

FB — Rohan Jones, Montana State

WR — Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington

WR — Junior Bergen, Montana

WR — Jared Gipson, Sacramento State

TE — Coleman Kuntz, Sacramento State

TE — Jake Cox, Idaho

OL — Brandon Casey, Montana

OL — Marcus Wehr, Montana State

OL — Jackson Slater, Sacramento State

OL — Justus Perkins, Montana State

OL — Johnny Bottorff, Northern Arizona

OL — Nathan Mejia, Sacramento State

DEFENSE

DL — Brody Grebe, Montana State (defensive MVP)

DL — Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly

DL — Brayden Wilson, Weber State

DL — Zach Kennedy, UC Davis

DL — Dallas Afalava, Idaho

DL — Keyshawn James-Newby, Idaho

LB — Riley Wilson, Montana

LB — Will Leota, Sacramento State

LB — Michael Montgomery, Portland State

LB — Danny Uluilakepa, Montana State

DB — Rex Connors, UC Davis

DB — Trevin Gradney, Montana

DB — Alex McLaughlin, Northern Arizona

DB — Calvin Pitcher, Idaho State

DB — Tommy McCormick, Idaho

DB — Rylan Ortt, Montana State

SPECIAL TEAMS

K — Hunter Ridley, UC Davis

P — Brendan Hall, Montana State

KR — Abraham Williams, Idaho

PR — Junior Bergen, Montana

LS — Tommy Sullivan, Montana State

ST — Isiah Childs, Montana

AP — Junior Bergen, Montana