​Jul. 8 — College football is nearing, and it’s the moment when Big Sky media members and league beat writers are casting their ballots for the preseason all-conference teams, including this Idaho beat writer. In this commentary, I’ll examine some of the Big Sky’s top talent and lay out the players who will appear on my preseason voting sheet.
Offensively, a strong case can be made for Eli Gillman as the preseason offensive MVP and as one of my running back selections. Gillman, the reigning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year from Montana, has little left to prove. He’s established himself as a dominant force, having claimed the Jerry Rice Award in 2023 as the FCS’s top freshman. Last season he led the conference in rushing attempts with 250, rushing yards with 1,540, and rushing touchdowns with 21, and he averaged 102.7 yards per game. He finished well ahead of the second-best rusher, Sacramento State’s Rodney Hammond Jr., and he also surpassed the second-most rushing touchdowns by five. Gillman is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, players in the Big Sky.
For the wide receiver spot, Samuel Gbatu Jr. of UC Davis will receive one of my votes. Gbatu produced at a high level even with the departure of his former quarterback, Caden Pinnick, who left for Washington State after earning 2025 Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors. Gbatu’s production in 2023 was compelling: 70 receptions for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 89.9 yards per game and 16.7 yards per catch, earning a spot on the All-Big Sky first team on offense. With transfer quarterback Jackson Kollock coming in from Minnesota, Gbatu’s numbers may stay productive, even if the dynamic around him changes.
A question I’ll wrestle with is whether to weigh last year’s results heavily or to trust a player’s potential and gut instinct about future performance. The quarterback position is where this tension becomes most evident. Montana’s Keali’i Ah Yat had a standout season, leading the Big Sky in attempts (470), passing yards (4,070), and passing touchdowns (33), while also rushing eight times for touchdowns. He earned first-team quarterback honors for good reason, yet there’s a compelling counterpoint in Idaho’s signal-caller, Joshua Wood, who flashed a high ceiling. Wood finished the season with 260 attempts for 1,898 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also led the Vandals in rushing, with 86 carries for 589 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. An injury sidelined him for part of the season, which affected the overall numbers, but his explosive athleticism and potential make him a compelling option. He’s a dynamic player who could be a game-wrecker and someone I’d consider staking my vote on to energize a team’s offense.
In summary, Gillman stands out as a clear preseason offensive MVP candidate and a top running back pick, Gbatu is a premier wide receiver option, and the quarterback debate centers between Ah Yat’s proven production and Wood’s high upside and playmaking ability. These choices reflect a balance between proven production and the potential for breakout impact in the upcoming season.