Preseason Honors
Eastern Washington’s defensive standout Jaylon Jenkins has been recognized as a second‑team FCS preseason All‑America by Stats Perform, cementing his status among the nation’s top defensive backs.
Senior defensive tackle Isaiah Perez also earned a third‑team nod, reflecting a strong preseason showing for the Bulldogs.
Across the Big Sky, 23 players received preseason All‑America honors, underscoring the conference’s depth as it heads into the new season.
Jenkins adds to his growing list of accolades by landing on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list, which honors the defensive player of the year in FCS football.
Four other Bulldogs — Caden Dowler, Rex Connors, Mikey D’Amato and Peyton Wing — join him on that watch list, highlighting a collective defensive threat.
The conference also celebrates its history, noting that two Eastern Washington alumni, J.C. Sherritt and Greg Peach, have previously captured the Buchanan Award, a testament to the program’s legacy.
On the offensive side, eight Big Sky players, including Eastern Washington standouts, appear on the Walter Payton Award watch list, the honor given to the division’s most dynamic playmaker.
Eastern Washington boasts the most Payton Award winners since 1987, a record that fuels optimism among coaches and fans alike.
The Bulldogs will open preseason camp on July 29 alongside rival Idaho, with both schools staging a free scrimmage at ONE Spokane Stadium on August 13, followed by an autograph session for supporters.
The first game of the season for Eastern Washington is slated for August 29 at Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, while Idaho opens at home against Cal Poly in Moscow on August 28.
Tickets for the upcoming matchups are now on sale, and the excitement extends beyond the field as the Big Sky Hall of Fame prepares to induct eight new members, including coaches Dennis Erickson and Pam Parks and athlete Jackie Ross Mattox.
The Hall of Fame gala sold out on July 25, marking the league’s fifth induction class and swelling the Hall’s membership to 54.
Preseason polls will be released during the kickoff weekend at Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights, setting the stage for the upcoming battles.