Rashid, James, Childs named to 2026 preseason All-Big Sky Team

SPOKANE, Wash. – The Big Sky Conference announced the 2026 preseason all-conference team Sunday morning at the Big Sky Kickoff in Spokane, Wash., with three Bengals getting the nod. Stryker Rashid (OL), Chedon James (WR) and Bronson Childs (DL) all received preseason recognition for their efforts on the gridiron going into the 2026 season.

Stryker Rashid, Offensive Line — Rashid comes back to the Bengals for the 2026 season after leading a Bengal offensive line that only allowed three sacks on 489 passing attempts in 2025 which was 0.6% lower than any team in the FCS since at least 2013.. Rashid ended the 2025 season 1st team all-Big Sky, AFCA, AP and Stats Perform 2nd Team All-American.

Chedon James, Wide Receiver — James returns to the Bengals after stints with Fresno State and Incarnate word. In 2023 for the Orange and Black, James broke the 1,000 yard receiving mark and was named a Walter Payton Award finalist. At Incarnate word in 2025, James had 21 receptions for 314 yards and four touchdowns averaging 15 yards per reception.

Bronson Childs, Defensive Line — Childs comes back to the Bengals in 2026 as a leader of a deep ISU defensive line. In 2025 Childs was #6 in the Big Sky Conference in tackles for loss with 9.5 and #18 in the Big Sky in sacks. Childs led the Big Sky in 2025 in fumble recoveries. In the Bengals win over Cal Poly, Childs led the Orange and Black defensive line with seven tackles, stifling the Mustang offense.

The full preseason all-conference team is listed below.

2026 Big Sky Football Preseason MVPs
Offensive: Eli Gillman, RB, Montana
Defensive: Caden Dowler, DB, Montana State

2026 Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team
QB: Justin Lamson, Montana State%
RB: Eli Gillman, Montana*%
RB: Adam Jones, Montana State*%
WR: Sam Gbatu, Jr., UC Davis*%
WR: Taco Dowler, Montana State*%
WR: Chedon James, Idaho State
TE: Winston Williams, UC Davis*
TE: Jeter Purdy, Northern Arizona
OL: Titan Fleischmann, Montana State*%
OL: Stryker Rashid, Idaho State*%
OL: Zaire Collier, UC Davis%
OL: Jack Ziebell, Northern Colorado%
OL: Braden Zimmer, Montana State
OL: Burke Mastel, Montana State%

DL: Zac Crews, Montana State
DL: Isaiah Perez, Eastern Washington%
DL: Bronson Childs, Idaho State
DL: Jake Mason, Montana%
DL: Ezra Ekuban, Northern Colorado
DL: Rayne Mayo Jr., UC Davis
LB: Mikey D’Amato, Cal Poly%
LB: Peyton Wing, Montana*%
LB: Kenny Olson, Cal Poly%
LB: Cole Taylor, Montana State%
LB: Porter Connors, UC Davis*
DB: Rex Connors, UC Davis*
DB: Caden Dowler, Montana State%
DB: Jaylon Jenkins, Eastern Washington%
DB: Tayden Gray, Montana State%
DB: Drew Cofield, UC Davis%
DB: Shoes Brinkley, Northern Arizona

PK: Myles Sansted, Montana State
P: Ryan Marks, Utah Tech
KR: Jabez Woods, Montana State
PR: Taco Dowler, Montana State*%
LS: Maddox Broughton, Northern Colorado%
ST: Brayden Rice, Idaho%
AP: Taco Dowler, Montana State

* – 2025 Big Sky Football Preseason Honoree
% – 2025 Big Sky Football Postseason All-Conference Honoree

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