Boise State Players McNichols and Gray Make Non-Power-5 Dream Team

Boise State players (among others from the Mountain West Conference) got some shoutouts from ProFootballFocus.com on a list of non-Power-5 Dream Team.

At running back MWC highlighted players include: Donnel Pumphrey, and James Butler. Jeremy McNichols got an honorable mention.

Edge Rusher (their notation) Kyler Fackrell was their first choice.

Fackrell is one of the most truly versatile edge defenders in the nation. He has been equally dominant in both rushing the passer and stopping the run, while also flashing ability in coverage. His best game came against Boise State in Week 7, where he recorded one quarterback hit, four hurries and six total defensive stops. In addition, he tackled the receiver for a loss on the only reception he allowed in that game.

At linebacker is interesting as it does not have any Utah State players. But Calvin Munson from San Diego State is there and:

Tyler Gray, Boise State +27.3

It says a lot about Gray’s season that he was our 12th highest-graded linebacker in the nation despite playing fewer snaps than anyone else in the top 35. Although he played only a limited role on the Boise State defense, Gray did not have a single negatively graded game in 2015. Furthermore, he earned his highest grade in Week 3 against Idaho State when he played only 29 snaps of the possible 94.

Key stat: Gray has the best tackling efficiency among 4-3 outside linebackers in the entire nation as he did not miss a single tackle on 388 snaps.

For safeties, our own Darian Thompson was NOT listed. But Weston of Air Force was an honorable mention.

Good to see players get recognized from a site that deals primarily in the next level of football. Hopefully the positive accolades will keep coming.