Caden Dowler Tabbed Preseason Big Sky Defensive MVP as Cats Pace Preseason All-Big Sky Voting
7/26/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
MSU leads the way with 14 choices on Preseason All-Big Sky Squad
SPOKANE, Wash. (July 26, 2026) – Big Sky Conference media members named Montana State senior safety Caden Dowler the league's preseason Defensive MVP while senior Taco Dowler earned mention at three positions, the league announced on Sunday.
Caden Dowler, the 2025 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and an All-America and all-league safety, is one of 11 Bobcats honored by the league. Taco Dowler, a 2025 All-America and All-Big Sky punt returner, earned preseason all-conference mention as a receiver, punt returner and all-purpose player.
Six of the 14 players honored on offense represent Montana State. Quarterback Justin Lamson, running back Adam Jones, and offensive linemen Titan Fleischmann and Braden Zimmer each earned all-conference and All-America honors a season ago. Offensive lineman Burke Mastel and Taco Dowler, at receiver, also landed offensive honors.
On defense, Caden Dowler is joined by linebacker Cole Taylor, defensive lineman Zac Crews and defensive back Tayden Gray. Specialists Myles Sansted, a kicker, and kick returner Jabez Woods also earned preseason honors.
Montana State's 14 selections is the league's most, followed by UC Davis' seven. No other school landed more than three of the positions.
2026 Big Sky Football Preseason MVPs
Offensive: Eli Gillman, RB, Montana
Defensive: Caden Dowler, DB, Montana State
2026 Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team
QB: Justin Lamson, Montana State%
RB: Adam Jones, Montana State*%; Eli Gillman, Montana*%
WR: Taco Dowler, Montana State*%; Sam Gbatu, Jr., UC Davis*%; Chedon James, Idaho State
TE: Winston Williams, UC Davis*; Jeter Purdy, Northern Arizona
OL: Titan Fleischmann, Montana State*%; Braden Zimmer, Montana State; Burke Mastel, Montana State; Stryker Rashid, Idaho State*%; Zaire Collier, UC Davis%; Jack Ziebell, Northern Colorado%
DL: Zac Crews, Montana State; Isaiah Perez, Eastern Washington%; Bronson Childs, Idaho State; Jake Mason, Montana%; Ezra Ekuban, Northern Colorado; Rayne Mayo Jr., UC Davis
LB: Cole Taylor, Montana State%; Mikey D'Amato, Cal Poly%; Peyton Wing, Montana*%; Kenny Olson, Cal Poly%; Porter Connors, UC Davis*
DB: Caden Dowler, Montana State%; Tayden Gray, Montana State%; DB: Jaylon Jenkins, Eastern Washington%; Rex Connors, UC Davis*; Drew Cofield, UC Davis%; Shoes Brinkley, Northern Arizona
PK: Myles Sansted, Montana State
P: Ryan Marks, Utah Tech
KR: Jabez Woods, Montana State
PR: Taco Dowler, Montana State*%
LS: Maddox Broughton, Northern Colorado%
ST: Brayden Rice, Idaho%
AP: Taco Dowler, Montana State
* - 2025 Big Sky Football Preseason Honoree
% - 2025 Big Sky Football Postseason All-Conference Honoree
#GoCatsGo
Caden Dowler, the 2025 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and an All-America and all-league safety, is one of 11 Bobcats honored by the league. Taco Dowler, a 2025 All-America and All-Big Sky punt returner, earned preseason all-conference mention as a receiver, punt returner and all-purpose player.
Six of the 14 players honored on offense represent Montana State. Quarterback Justin Lamson, running back Adam Jones, and offensive linemen Titan Fleischmann and Braden Zimmer each earned all-conference and All-America honors a season ago. Offensive lineman Burke Mastel and Taco Dowler, at receiver, also landed offensive honors.
On defense, Caden Dowler is joined by linebacker Cole Taylor, defensive lineman Zac Crews and defensive back Tayden Gray. Specialists Myles Sansted, a kicker, and kick returner Jabez Woods also earned preseason honors.
Montana State's 14 selections is the league's most, followed by UC Davis' seven. No other school landed more than three of the positions.
2026 Big Sky Football Preseason MVPs
Offensive: Eli Gillman, RB, Montana
Defensive: Caden Dowler, DB, Montana State
2026 Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team
QB: Justin Lamson, Montana State%
RB: Adam Jones, Montana State*%; Eli Gillman, Montana*%
WR: Taco Dowler, Montana State*%; Sam Gbatu, Jr., UC Davis*%; Chedon James, Idaho State
TE: Winston Williams, UC Davis*; Jeter Purdy, Northern Arizona
OL: Titan Fleischmann, Montana State*%; Braden Zimmer, Montana State; Burke Mastel, Montana State; Stryker Rashid, Idaho State*%; Zaire Collier, UC Davis%; Jack Ziebell, Northern Colorado%
DL: Zac Crews, Montana State; Isaiah Perez, Eastern Washington%; Bronson Childs, Idaho State; Jake Mason, Montana%; Ezra Ekuban, Northern Colorado; Rayne Mayo Jr., UC Davis
LB: Cole Taylor, Montana State%; Mikey D'Amato, Cal Poly%; Peyton Wing, Montana*%; Kenny Olson, Cal Poly%; Porter Connors, UC Davis*
DB: Caden Dowler, Montana State%; Tayden Gray, Montana State%; DB: Jaylon Jenkins, Eastern Washington%; Rex Connors, UC Davis*; Drew Cofield, UC Davis%; Shoes Brinkley, Northern Arizona
PK: Myles Sansted, Montana State
P: Ryan Marks, Utah Tech
KR: Jabez Woods, Montana State
PR: Taco Dowler, Montana State*%
LS: Maddox Broughton, Northern Colorado%
ST: Brayden Rice, Idaho%
AP: Taco Dowler, Montana State
* - 2025 Big Sky Football Preseason Honoree
% - 2025 Big Sky Football Postseason All-Conference Honoree
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OT
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
K
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ FootballThursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
