A Trio of Cowboys Named Preseason All-MW

Edmiston, Johnsen and Stuhlsatz named to Preseason Squad

LARAMIE, Wyo.  (July 15, 2026) – The Mountain West Conference Announced the Preseason All-Mountain West team prior to the first day of Old Trapper Mountain West Media Days at The Palms Resort and Casino on Wednesday. A trio of Cowboys were on the list with punter Bart Edmiston, offensive lineman Rex Johnsen and linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz garnering the honor for the Brown and Gold.

Edmiston was one of the top punters in the Mountain West last season. He was fourth in the conference and No. 12 in the nation at 46.1 yards per punt. He punted the ball 65 time for nearly 3,000 yards. He had a long of 68 yards and recorded 26 punts of 50 or more yards. He had 22 punts inside the 20-yard line. His long punt came against San Jose State and he recorded five punts inside the 20-yard line against Colorado State. He was an Academic All-MW selection. 

Johnsen appeared in and started all 12 games for the Pokes. He has played in 32 career games for the Pokes. He helped a pair of running backs earn multiple 100-yard rushing games in Tote Harris and Sam Scott. The Pokes rushed for a season-high 212 yards against Colorado State in a 28-0 victory. UW had 426 yards in the season opener against Akron for a season best. He earned Second Team Preseason All-MW by Athlon Sports and earned Third Team honors by Phil Steele.

Stuhlsatz appeared in all 12 games and made one start. He finished the season with 41 tackles to go along with 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup. He had 20 solo stops and 21 assisted tackles. He recorded a season-high 10 tackle for the Pokes at San Diego State. He added seven tackles in the finale against Hawai'i. He finished with 24 tackles in the final four games of the season. He was an Academic All-MW selection. He earned First Team Preseason All-MW by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

The two-day Media Days event includes one-on-one interviews with all head coaches and four student-athletes from every MW institution. All MW student-athletes will participate in interviews on Wednesday, July 15, while the head coaches will be available on Thursday, July 16.

Fans will be able to watch the Cowboys live on the MW+ with players going at 9:30 a.m. MT on Wednesday. Head Coach Jay Sawvel will be live at 11:30 a.m. MT on Thursday. It will be made available for free as the Mountain West Network’s Jesse Kurtz and Karlie Drew will host the show both days. Fans will need to sign up for access to the live stream.

2026 MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Offense

QB - Micah Alejado, So., Hawai‘i

WR - Pofele Ashlock, Sr., Hawai‘i

WR - Troy Omeire, Sr., New Mexico

WR - Taeshaun Lyons, Jr., UNLV

RB - Owen Allen, Sr., Air Force

RB - Jai’Den Thomas, Sr., UNLV

OL - Jack Foster, Sr., Nevada

OL - Malik Aliane, Sr., New Mexico

OL - Griffin Empey, Jr., North Dakota State

OL - Austin Boyd, Sr., UNLV

OL - Rex Johnsen, Sr., Wyoming

TE - Cade Keith, So., New Mexico

Defense

DL - Dylan LaBarbera, Sr., Nevada

DL - Brian Booker, Sr., New Mexico

DL - Keenan Wilson, Jr., North Dakota State

DL - Lucas Conti, Jr., UNLV

LB - Blake Fletcher, Sr., Air Force

LB - Jamih Otis, Sr., Hawai‘i

LB - Jaxton Eck, Sr., New Mexico

LB - Ethan Stuhlsatz, Gr., Wyoming

DB - Elijah Palmer, Sr., Hawai‘i

DB - Aiden Walker, So., Nevada

DB - Darius Givance, Sr., North Dakota State

DB - Jake Pope, Sr., UNLV

Specialists

P - Bart Edmiston, Sr., Wyoming

PK - Joe McFadden, Gr., Nevada

PR - Jackson Williams, Jr., North Dakota State

KR - Jackson Williams, Jr., North Dakota State

Offensive Player of the Year: Micah Alejado, So., QB, Hawai‘i

Defensive Player of the Year: Jaxton Eck, Sr., LB, New Mexico

Special Teams Player of the Year: Jackson Williams, Jr., PR/KR, North Dakota State

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