Rebels claim 3 top honors on All-Mountain West team

By Callie Fin Las Vegas Review-Journal

2 weeks ago

Fresno State running back Malik Sherrod (2) is stopped for a loss by UNLV linebacker Jackson Wo ... — Fresno State running back Malik Sherrod (2) is stopped for a loss by UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard (7) during the first half of their NCAA football game at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III, left, runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the NCAA college football game against UNR at Allegiant Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV place kicker Caden Chittenden (45) pumps up the crowd during an NCAA football game between UNLV and Utah Tech at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV was well-represented on the All-Mountain West football team released Tuesday ahead of the heavyweight conference title clash Friday between the No. 19 Rebels and No. 10 Boise State.

UNLV senior linebacker Jackson Woodard was named Defensive Player of the Year. He is the first Rebel to claim the award since Beau Bell in 2007.

Woodard recorded 114 tackles in the regular season, ranking second in the conference and 14th in the nation. He added four interceptions, 3½ sacks and two fumble recoveries.

UNLV senior receiver Ricky White III earned Special Teams Player of the Year. He led the nation in blocked punts with four, a UNLV record and more than any team had this season.

White was also a first-team wide receiver.

Rebels kicker Caden Chittenden, a Faith Lutheran graduate, was named Freshman of the Year. His 25 field goals rank second in college football this year.

Boise State junior running back Ashton Jeanty earned Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. His 2,288 rushing yards are a Mountain West record, ranking fifth in a season in FBS history, and he also leads the nation in rushing touchdowns at 28.

Barry Sanders set the college football record for most rushing yards in a single season with 2,628 yards in 1988, a mark Jeanty will continue to chase in the postseason.

Boise State’s Spencer Danielson won Coach of the Year over UNLV coach Barry Odom, who won the award last season.

Here are all of UNLV’s All-Mountain West honorees:

— First team: WR Ricky White III, OL Tiger Shanks, PK Caden Chittenden, LB Jackson Woodard, DB Jalen Catalon and PR Jacob De Jesus.

— Second team: QB Hajj-Malik Williams, RB Jai’Den Thomas, OL Jalen St. John, KR Jacob De Jesus, DL Antonio Doyle Jr. and DB Johnathan Baldwin

— Honorable mention: DB Jett Elad, OL Jack Hasz, P Marshall Nichols, DB Cameron Oliver and DL Alexander Whitmore.

Contact Callie Fin at cfin@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.