July 19, 2010

Pocatello, ID --- After a stellar season in 2009 in which he finished second to a Buck Buchanan Candidate in tackles, just imagine what A.J. Storms will do in 2010 in his second year as a linebacker. Coaches and media apparently are thinking big things as Storms was the only Bengal selected to the 2010 Preseason All-Big Sky team, as the conference announced the 30-member squad on Monday.

Storms, who had never played linebacker before last season, racked up 120 tackles, second only behind Eastern Washington's J.C. Sherritt, a Buck Buchanan candidate last year and the preseason defensive player of the year this season. Storms, who as a true freshman earned honorable mention all-Big Sky honors as a safety, had 5.5 tackles for loss last season to tie for the team lead. He also added a team-high tying three fumble recoveries, three quarterback hurries, an interception, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble.

Storms was the Idaho 5A state player of the year out of Meridian High School as a quarterback, but he seamlessly has made the transition to defense, and is turning into one of the best in the nation. He recorded double-figure tackles in four of his last five games, and in six overall, including a career-best 18 against Central Washington.

"A.J. continues to earn these types of honors, and it's fitting for a young man who works so hard and is such a great leader and teammate," said head coach John Zamberlin. "A.J. is a leader on and off the field, and I'm really looking forward to watching him this year after having a season at linebacker under his belt."

Storms was one of 15 players named to the defense, and 15 others were named to the offense, including Montana's Chase Reynolds, who was the preseason offensive MVP. Defending champion Montana and Montana State led the way with five selections each, following by Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, and Weber State, who all had four. Northern Colorado had three players on the team, and ISU and Portland State each had one.

Idaho State opens up fall practice on August 6, and the team will open the season on September 4 at 3:35 pm when the team hosts Montana-Western in Holt Arena .

OFFENSE
Pos	Player			Year	Hometown		School
QB 	Michael Herrick		Sr	Valencia, Calif.	Northern Arizona
RB	*Chase Reynolds		Sr	Drummond, Mont.	        Montana
RB	*Taiwan Jones		Jr	Antioch, Calif.		Eastern Washington
FB	Zac Eldridge		Sr	Sandy, Utah		Weber State
TE 	Kyle Begger		Sr	Miles City, Mont.	Montana State
OT 	*Mike Person		Sr	Glendive, Mont.		Montana State
OT 	Jon Opperud		Jr	Portland, Ore.		Montana
C	Alex Verlanic		Sr	Drummond, Mont.	        Montana
OG	J.C. Oram 		Jr	Slaterville, Utah	Weber State
OG	Kris Poindexter		Sr	Phoenix, Ariz.		Northern Arizona
WR	Brandyn Reed		Sr	Windsor, Calif.		Sacramento State
WR	Everett Gilbert		So	Rockwall, Texas		Montana State
WR	Mike Phillips		Sr	Seaside, Calif.		Weber State
K	*Zach Brown 		So	Keizer, Ore.  		Portland State
RS	Jabin Sambrano 		Jr	Temecula, Calif. 	Montana
DEFENSE
Pos	Player		        Year	Hometown		School
DE 	Isaac Bond		Jr	Vancouver, Wash.	Northern Arizona
DE	Nick Hernon		Jr	Castle Rock, Colo.      Northern Colorado
DT	*Dan Ogden		Sr	Kalispell, Mont.	Montana State
DT	*Renard Williams	Jr	Port Orchard, Wash.	Eastern Washington
DT	Christian Clark		Sr	Los Angeles, Calif.	Sacramento State
LB	*J.C. Sherritt		Sr	Pullman, Wash.		Eastern Washington
LB	*A.J. Storms		Jr	Meridian, Idaho		Idaho State
LB 	*Taylor Sedillo		Sr	Salt Lake City, Utah	Weber State
LB	John Eddy		Sr	Greeley, Colo.		Northern Colorado
CB	*Trumaine Johnson	Jr	Stockton, Calif.	Montana
CB	Korey Askew 		Jr	Denver, Colo.		Northern Colorado
S 	Zach Schrader		Sr	Issaquiah, Wash.	Sacramento State
S	*Matt Estrada		Sr	La Habra, Calif.	Northern Arizona
P	Augie Heath		Jr	Chico, Calif.		Sacramento State
ST	Tanner Ripley		Sr	Highwood, Mont.		Montana State
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Chase Reynolds, RB, Montana
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - J.C. Sherritt, LB, Eastern Washington