Phil Steel released his preseason All-WAC Team this week, which included seven New Mexico State Aggie football players.
The team included senior offensive lineman Joe Palmer and senior wide receiver Marcus Anderson on the offensive side. The defensive list included senior linebackers Nick Paden and Jason Scott, junior defensive backs Alphonso Powell and Davon House, while sophomore Kyle Hughes was named as third-team punter and fourth-team kicker.
Last year, Palmer was a vital part of helping former quarterback Chase Holbrook throw for 280 yards a game and rank No. 27 in the country in total offense. He helped the Aggies offense rank ninth in the nation in passing offense, averaging 301.3 yards through the air per game and 64th in total offense, averaging 355.6 yards a contest.
In 2008, Anderson tallied 50 catches for 617 yards and nine touchdowns. His nine touchdowns tied him for first on the team.
Paden capped off the 2008 season second on the team, third in the WAC and 32nd in the nation in tackles with 107, while posting double-digit tackles in five games. He also recorded two sacks, seven tackles-for-a-loss and two interceptions.
Scott recorded 84 tackles last season at linebacker, which ranked third on the team and eighth in the WAC. He also posted nine tackles-for-a-loss along with two sacks.
House recorded 40 tackles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Powell, another defensive back, ranked fifth on the team and 19th in the WAC in tackles with 71, had two interceptions and three pass-breakups.
On the special teams unit, Hughes was a perfect 33-of-33 on extra points, breaking Bubba Culin's school record of 28 in a row that dated back to 1993. He averaged 42.7 yards on 52 punts which was fourth in the WAC. Hughes recorded three punts over 60 yards and six over 50 yards.
Phil Steel's 2009 College Football Preview will be available on newsstands by June 9. For a full list of All-Conference teams, fans can visit PhilSteele.com.
