HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football team placed 16 members on Phil Steele's Preseason All-Mountain West team, including four on the first team – wide receiver Jared Smart, offensive linemen Ilm Manning and Gene Pryor, and linebacker Darius Muasau.
 
The Rainbow Warriors had the most players represented among the 12 schools followed by Boise State and Colorado State (13) and San Diego State (12). UH also had the most offensive first teamers.
 
Named to the second team were offensive lineman Taaga Tuulima, cornerback Cortez Davis, and kick returner Melquise Stovall, the latter of whom was also picked to the third team as a receiver.
 
Also making the third team were quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, running back Miles Reed, defensive lineman Jonah Laulu and linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard. Offensive lineman Solo Vaipulo, linebacker Penei Pavihi, safety Khoury Bethley, and punter Stan Gaudion was named to the fourth team.


Since joining the Mountain West in 2012, last season's total of 13 had marked Hawai'i's highest number of preseason honorees until this year.
 
Last month, Manning, a junior from Glendale, Ariz., was UH's lone first team honoree in Athlon's Preseason All-MW list. In that list, a total of 11 Rainbow Warriors were mentioned, which was the second highest total behind Boise State (17).
 
Manning was a second-team all-league performer at left tackle last season. He has started all 29 games of his career. Pryor, a senior from Visalia, Calif., started 14 games at right tackle and received honorable mention accolades. He was also the recipient of the team's Most Improved Player award.
 
Smart, a senior from Dublin, Calif., finished second on the team in receptions (87) and receiving yards (1,129) and led the team with five 100-yard games. As a true freshman last season, 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu native Muasau made four starts and finished third on the team with 61 tackles.