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LOGAN — Even as many of his teammates were falling around him to season-ending injuries and other ailments, Utah State senior Zach Vigil was a rock for the Aggie defense.
Coaches and media from around the Mountain West Conference took notice.
Vigil was one of six Aggies honored with all-conference first team inclusion, and the linebacker from Clearfield, Utah, added the Aggies' first-ever Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors to his lengthy resume.
Offensive lineman Kevin Whimpey and punt returner JoJo Natson were named to the all-conference first-team offense, and Vigil, younger brother Nick Vigil, B.J. Larsen and Frankie Sutera were named to the first-team defense.
Placekicker Nick Diaz was the only Aggie named to the second team. Senior punter Jaron Bentrude, defensive backs Devin Centers and Brian Suite, wide receiver Hunter Sharp, defensive linemen Elvis Kamana-Matagi and Jordan Nielsen, and offensive linemen Jake Simonich and Austin Stephens took home honorable mention honors.
Zach Vigil led the league in tackles with 145, including 19.5 tackles for loss. He ranked first on the team and second in the conference with nine sacks, and returned an interception for a touchdown in a non-conference game against Wake Forest.
Colorado State senior Garrett Grayson was named Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Rams (10-2) to a 6-2 league record. Grayson, who threw for 3,779 yards and 32 touchdowns, is the seventh-straight quarterback to earn league Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Air Force kicker/punter Will Conant was tabbed Special Teams Player of the Year. The senior connected on 18 of 20 field goals, including 17 straight from less than 60 yards.
UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd was named Freshman of the Year, and Colorado State's Jim McElwain was tabbed Coach of the Year.
For a complete list of all-Mountain West Conference honors, click here.
