2017 Mountain West Top Returning Offensive Players

Rushing:

1. Tyrone Owens, New Mexico: 137/1,097/7TD
2. Diocemy Saint Juste, Hawaii: 165/1,006/3TD
3. Rashaad Penny, SDSU: 135/1,005/11TD
4. Dalyn Dawkins, Colorado State: 161/919/4TD
5. Tonny Lindsey, Utah State: 148/763/6TD

Others to watch: Charles Williams UNLV (141/763/3TD), Izzy Matthews CSU (153/734/13TD), Timothy McVey Air Force (83/708/10TD), Dontel James FRESNO STATE (208/697/5TD), Richard McQuarley UNM (143/656/18TD), Lexington Thomas UNLV (124/642/8TD).

As much as Conference USA loves to light it up in the air, the MWC is all about the ground and pound. It has to be considering two teams run the option. While the MWC will again put together a great season on the ground, it will be with a new set of faces. Gone are Pumphrey, Hill, McNichols, Butler, and Gipson. Tyrone Owens is the top returning rusher and his finished sixth in the conference last season with 1,097 yards, nearly 200 less than teammate Teriyon Gipson.

The name to watch is Aztec running back Rashaad Penny. He broke the 1,000-yard mark as a backup last fall and is poised to have an outstanding season with an increased workload.

Passing:

1. Brett Rypien, Boise State: 244-394/3,646/24TD/155.7 Efficiency
2. Josh Allen, Wyoming: 209-373/3,203/28TD/144.9 Efficiency
3. Dru Brown, Hawaii: 209-335/2,488/19TD/139.3 Efficiency
4. Kent Myers, Utah State: 211-361/2,389/10TD/118.7 Efficiency
5. Chason Virgil, Fresno State: 166-322/2,021/13TD/111.4 Efficiency

Others to watch: Christian Chapman SDSU (1,994/20TD), Nick Stevens CSU (1,936/19TD), Ty Gangi NEVADA (1,301/8TD), David Cornwall NEVADA (Transfer), Lamar Jordan UNM, Arion Worthman AIR FORCE.  

While the overall class is not that outstanding, the cream of the crop behind center is among the nation’s best. Between Rypien and Allen, you are looking at two potential first round picks, with Allen’s name thrown around as a possible #1 overall pick. Don’t sleep on Dru Brown and the invigorated Hawaii offense. Brown was outstanding in his first year as a starter and could put up some monster numbers this fall.

A name to pay attention to is David Cornwall at Nevada. He is looking to break a string of Alabama quarterback transfer misses but will have his hands full holding off Gangi for the starting job.

Receiving:

1. Michael Gallup, Colorado State: 76/1,272/14TD
2. Cedrick Wilson, Boise State: 56/1,129/11TD
3. Keesean Johnson, Fresno State: 66/773/6TD
4. Devonte Boyd, UNLV: 45/746/4TD
5. Jamire Jordan, Fresno State: 45/713/2TD

Others to watch: Wyatt Demps NEVADA (53/686/9TD), John Ursua HAWAII (53/652/3TD), Justin Holmes SJSU (36/613/3TD), Olabisi Johnson CSU (28/613/4TD), Ron’quavion Tarver UTAH STATE (46/602/3TD), Mikah Holder SDSU (27/581/5TD), Tre Hartley SJSU (33/572/4TD).

Simply put, the MWC is not a pass happy league like CUSA or the Big 12. No one in the conference puts up astounding numbers, although a few have been able to break the glass ceiling. Michael Gallup is one of the few receivers that would look just as at home on WKU’s roster as Colorado State. He is explosive and talented and should put up great numbers in the Ram’s offense.

I have been on the Devonte Boyd wagon for what seems like forever. For a variety of reasons, he has yet to take a step into the elite receiver category that I pegged him years ago. Here is his one last chance to take the conference by storm and he will have to do so with a redshirt freshman quarterback.

Next week, we will take a look at defense and special teams for the Mountain West Conference before rolling out conference previews.