BOISE, Idaho — Circa Resort and Casino is serving preseason excitement for thirsting college football fans this week as Mountain West Media Days bring the league's head coaches and top players to Las Vegas.
The annual preseason event includes one-on-one interviews with program representatives, with two players from each team participating Wednesday and all 12 head coaches available Thursday. KTVB's Jay Tust and Brady Frederick will provide in-depth coverage from Las Vegas.
Boise State previously announced kicker Jonah Dalmas and defensive end Ahmed Hassanein would join head coach Spencer Danielson at Mountain West Media Days. The offense was set to go unrepresented with its leading candidate, running back Ashton Jeanty, unable to attend the 21-and-over property.
The Heisman hopeful is now in fact headed to Las Vegas, Boise State announced Monday. Jeanty will be available for national media at the Bellagio from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, before the Bronco standout is available for media attending the Mountain West's event at the Golden Gate Hotel from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
A dual threat out of the backfield, Jeanty became the first FBS player with at least 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in a single season since 2019. He earned All-America honors and was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
Dalmas enters the 2024 season just 18 field goals shy of setting a new NCAA career record. The Meridian native's .889 field goal percentage and 24 field goals made ranked in the top 10 nationally last year.
Hassanein is a candidate for Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year after earning first team all-conference honors last year. His 12.5 sacks in 2023 ranked sixth in the nation and second in the league.
Seven new coaches are headed to the two-day media event, including Danielson, Nevada's Jeff Choate and Utah State's Nate Dreiling, who was named interim head coach for the 2024 season after the university announced Blake Anderson would be fired for cause. He had served as the Aggies' defensive coordinator and defensive ends coach.
The conference's annual projected order of finish and preseason all-conference selections are expected to be announced during Mountain West Media Days. Click here to see Tust's offensive ballot and follow KTVB.COM for coverage from Las Vegas.
2024 Mountain West Media Days - Representatives at Circa Resort and Casino:
- Air Force: Head coach Troy Calhoun, Brandon Engel (Sr., WR), Camby Goff (Sr., S)
- Boise State: Head coach Spencer Danielson, Jonah Dalmas (Gr., PK), Ahmed Hassanein (Sr., DE)
- Colorado State: Head coach Jay Norvell, Tory Horton (Gr., WR), Jack Howell (Sr., DB)
- Fresno State: Head coach Jeff Tedford, Malik Sherrod (Sr., RB), Devo Bridges (Sr., DL)
- Hawai‘i: Head coach Timmy Chang, Brayden Schager (Sr., QB), Peter Manuma (Jr., DB)
- Nevada: Head coach Jeff Choate, Cortez Braham Jr. (Sr., WR), Henry Ikahihifo (Sr., DL)
- New Mexico: Head coach Bronco Mendenhall, Luke Wysong (Jr., WR), Gabe Lopez (Jr., DE)
- San Diego State: Head coach Sean Lewis, Jude Wolfe (Sr., TE), Deshawn McCuin (Sr., S)
- San José State: Head coach Ken Niumatalolo, Nick Nash (Sr., WR), Soane Toia (Sr., DL)
- UNLV: Head coach Barry Odom, Ricky White III (Sr., WR), Jackson Woodard (Sr., LB)
- Utah State: Interim head coach Nate Dreiling, Spencer Petras (Gr., QB), Ike Larsen (Jr., S)
- Wyoming: Head coach Jay Sawvel, Harrison Waylee (Sr., RB), Jordan Bertagnole (Gr., DT)
Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, Deputy Commissioner Bret Gilliland, Coordinator of Officials Mike Defee and conference bowl partners also are attending the two-day media event.
Boise State's season opener at Georgia Southern is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, on ESPNU. The Broncos visit Oregon before the home opener at Albertsons Stadium against Portland State at 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21.
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