FARMINGTON, Utah  — The 2025 season is getting closer and the Big Sky Conference has released its preseason All-Conference team today. Eastern Washington football placed three players on the preseason list, as cornerback DaJean Wells, defensive end Tylin Jackson and linebacker Trevor Thurman earned the recognition. 

Eastern was picked to finish eighth in the Big Sky preseason Media Poll and ninth in the Coaches'.

Wells stepped up in the secondary last season, recording 32.0 tackles - with 22.0 solo - to tie for eighth on the team. The Seattle, Wash. native recorded 12 pass breakups placing him second in the conference and 16th in the FCS. Wells notched four pass breakups in the season opening win over Monmouth and three against Montana. Going into his senior season, Wells played in 38 games with 10 starts in the '24 season. He has 55 career tackles. 

Jackson stepped into a starting role last season on the defensive line, making 10 starts and playing in all 12 games. Playing at defensive end, Jackson posted 24.0 tackles with 2.5 for a loss. The Atlanta, Ga. native recorded his first career sack against Southeastern Louisiana and had a career-best five tackles against Nevada. 

Thurman is also preparing for his last season in Cheney and looks to make an impact on special teams for the Eagles. Thuman played in nine games in 2024, making 16.0 tackles, with 11.0 solo. Against the Grizzlies, Thurman posted his first career 0.5 sack.

The Eagles went 3-5 in the Big Sky last season and 4-8 overall, winning two of their last three games. 

Eastern Washington returns four starters from the 2024 team, including Jackson and Wells. EWU also returns 31 letterwinners, with Thurman included. 

The 2025 season for Eastern Washington begins on Aug. 30 in San Antonio, Texas as the team travels to play No. 5 Incarnate Word. 

The home slate opens for Eastern on Sep. 20 against Western Illinois, featuring Welcome Weekend and Rush Roos for incoming freshmen. 

2025 Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team

Offense
QB: Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona
RB: Adam Jones, Montana State
RB: Eli Gillman, Montana
FB: Colter May, Weber State
WR: Sam Gbatu, Jr., UC Davis
WR: Taco Dowler, Montana State
WR: Michael Briscoe, Cal Poly
TE: Winston Williams, UC Davis
TE: Tanner Beaman, Portland State
OL: Titan Fleischmann, Montana State
OL: Gavin Ortega, Weber State
OL: Stryker Rashid, Idaho State
OL: Nate Azzopardi, Idaho
OL: Ernesto Nava, UC Davis
OL: Eli Simonson, UC Davis

Defense
DL: Paul Brott, Montana State
DL: Kenneth Eiden IV, Montana State
DL: Ethan Rodriguez, Cal Poly
DL: Micah Carreon, Northern Arizona
DL: Tylin Jackson, Eastern Washington
DL: Zach Krotzer, Idaho
LB: Peyton Wing, Montana
LB: Porter Connors, UC Davis
LB: Isiah King, Idaho
LB: Brandon Wong, Northern Arizona
LB: Nathan Reynolds, Idaho State
DB: Rex Connors, UC Davis
DB: Mason Rivera, Cal Poly
DB: Cam Chapa, Northern Colorado
DB: DaJean Wells, Eastern Washington 
DB: Isaiah Green, Portland State
DB: Mason Young, Idaho State

Special Teams
PK: Hunter Ridley, UC Davis
P: Ben D'Aquila, Northern Arizona
KR: Michael Wortham, Montana
PR: Taco Dowler, Montana State
LS: Grayson Pibal, Montana
ST: Trevor Thurman, Eastern Washington
AP: Michael Wortham, Montana
 

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2025 EWU football tickets are now on sale! Join Spokane County's team for all five home games at Roos Field in Cheney starting as low as $99. Group tickets, fundraising options and single game tickets are also available. For more info, visit goeags.com/fbtickets or contact the EWU Ticket Office at 509-359-6059 or tickets@ewu.edu. 

Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access, and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.

ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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