Boise State junior linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday.
The Riggins native has made 113 tackles, including three sacks, has two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He is the Broncos’ first conference defensive player of the year since Korey Hall won it in the Western Athletic Conference in 2006.
San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny was named offensive and special teams player of the year, Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford was named coach of the year, and UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers was named freshman of the year.
Boise State had six players named first-team All-Mountain West: Vander Esch, tight end Jake Roh, center Mason Hampton, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, STUD end Curtis Weaver and cornerback Tyler Horton.