Caden Dowler
Photo by: Brian Morse
Eight Bobcats Named Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America
7/13/2026 10:27:00 AM | Football
Led by twin brothers Caden Dowler and Taco Dowler, MSU paces the FCS in selections
Link to Stats Perform Story: Widespread Talent Fills 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team | Opta Analyst
BOZEMAN, Mont. (July 13, 2026) – Led by Caden Dowler and Taco Dowler, eight Montana State Bobcats earned mention on the 2026 Stats Perform Preseason All-America Team on Monday.
Seniors Caden Dowler, the reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, and all-purpose player Taco Dowler, like his brother a returning All-America, landed on the Stats Perform first team. Senior offensive lineman Titan Fleischmann, junior running back Adam Jones and senior kicker Myles Sansted also earned first team honors. Quarterback Justin Lamson earned second team honors, while linebacker Cole Taylor and safety Tayden Gray landed on the third team.
Montana State's eight selections lead the FCS. Five of the eight Bobcats earning preseason honors – Taco Dowler, Caden Dowler, Fleischmann, Jones and Lamson – earned All-America honors after the 2026 season. Below is the eight Bobcats honored, and the full Stats Perform All-America Team.
Bobcats Selected to 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team
FIRST TEAM: OFFENSE – RB Adam Jones, OL Titan Fleischmann. DEFENSE – S Caden Dowler. SPECIAL TEAMS –
All-Purpose Taco Dowler, K Myles Sansted.
SECOND TEAM: OFFENSE – QB Justin Lamson.
THIRD TEAM: DEFENSE – LB Cole Taylor, S Tayden Gray.
2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team
FIRST TEAM - OFFENSE
QB – Beau Brungard, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-0, 215
RB – Adam Jones, Jr, 6-1, 200; Eli Gillman, Montana, R-Sr., 6-0, 213; Luke Yoder, Lehigh, Sr., 5-11, 205
WR – Marquis Buchanan, Rhode Island, R-Sr., 6-4, 190; Samuel Gbatu Jr., UC Davis, Sr., 5-10, 185
TE – Ryder Kurtz, Cornell, Sr., 6-5, 233
OL – Titan Fleischmann, Montana State, Sr., 6-4, 300; Quinten Christensen, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-5, 300; Erik Gray, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-1, 256; Stryker Rashid, Idaho State, R-Sr., 6-5, 295; Joshua Sales Jr., Austin Peay, R-Sr., 6-5, 312
FIRST TEAM - DEFENSE
DL – Andrew Huff, Lamar, Sr., 6-2, 230; Lance Rucker, North Dakota, Sr., 6-3, 230; Joshua Stoneking, Furman, R-Jr., 6-3, 258; Mike Wells, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-3, 250
LB – Jake Dalmado, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., 6-0, 215; Mikey D'Amato, Cal Poly, Sr., 6-0, 230; Tye Niekamp, Illinois State, Sr., 6-3, 240; Peyton Wing, Montana, Sr., 6-0, 229
DB – Caden Dowler, Montana Sate, Sr., 6-0, 205; Rex Connors, UC Davis, Sr., 6-1, 220; Abu Kamara, Yale, Sr., 6-1, 208; Christopher Jean, Central Connecticut State, R-Jr., 5-10, 180
SPECIAL TEAMS
AP – Taco Dowler, Montana State, Sr., 5-9, 190
PK – Myles Sansted, Montana State, Sr., 6-3, 188
P – Ben Shrewsbury, VMI, Sr., 6-2, 190
LS – Hayden King, UT Martin, R-Jr., 5-10, 205
KR – Ja'briel Mace, Villanova, Jr., 5-9, 175
PR – Bugs Mortimer, Stephen F. Austin, R-Sr., 5-10, 177
SECOND TEAM - OFFENSE
QB – Justin Lamson, Montana State, Sr., 6-2, 210; Keali'I Ah Yat, Montana, R-Jr., 6-1, 200
RB – Victor Dawson, Illinois State, Sr., 5-11, 220; Charles Pierre Jr., South Dakota, R-Sr., 5-10, 210
WR – Sam Milligan, Bucknell, Sr., 6-3, 220; Lofton O'Groske, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-0, 210; Eric Weatherly, Tennessee Tech, Sr., 5-8, 183
TE – Winston Williams, UC Davis, Sr., 6-4, 245
OL – Liam Becher, North Dakota, Sr., 6-7, 306; Desmeal Leigh, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-7, 325; Aidan Moe, Tarleton State, Sr., 6-8, 310; Aidan Palmer, Lehigh, 5th Year, 6-4, 300; Luke Roaten, Abilene Christian, R-Sr., 6-6, 300
SECOND TEAM - DEFENSE
DL – Chris Benton, The Citadel, Sr., 6-0, 250; Camden Byrd, Richmond, R-Sr., 6-3, 245; Dawson Ripperda, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-4, 255; Kaden Vig, North Dakota, Jr., 6-6, 253; Brodie Carroll, Elon, R-Jr., 6-1, 240
LB – Rohan Davy, Rhode Island, Jr., 5-10, 205; Eli Ennis, Stephen F. Austin, R-Sr., 6-2, 220; Carter Glassmyer, Richmond, Grad, 6-1, 224; Cullen McShane, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-2, 230
DB – Damien Henderson, Harvard, Sr., 6-0, 180; Jaylon Jenkins, Eastern Washington, R-Jr., 6-1, 192; Jaeden Jones, Monmouth, Jr., 6-0, 190; Ken Moore Jr., Western Carolina, R-Sr., 5-10, 160
DB – Dylan Rowsey, Murray State, Sr., 6-1, 195
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK – Luke Barnes, Elon, Jr., 6-6, 220
P – Max Pelham, South Dakota State, Grad, 6-1, 195
LS – Maddox Boughton, Northern Colorado, R-So., 6-0, 225
KR – DeAndre Buchannon, Tarleton State, Sr., 5-10, 175
PR – Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T, R-Sr., 5-11, 180
AP – Brayden Smith, Mercer, Jr., 5-10, 185
THIRD TEAM - OFFENSE
QB – Chris Parson, Austin Peay, R-Jr., 5-11, 224; DJ Williams, Southern Illinois, Sr., 6-3, 218
RB – Dason Brooks, Idaho State, R-Sr., 5-11, 228; MJ Flowers, Tennessee Tech, R-Sr., 6-1, 193
WR – Roy Alexander, UIW, Grad, 5-11, 200; Chedon James, Idaho State, R-Sr., 5-9, 175; Samuel Musungu, Cornell, Sr., 6-1, 192
TE – Greyton Gannon, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-4, 235; Seamus Gilmartin, Harvard, Sr., 6-4, 235
OL – Tre Alexander, Rhode Island, R-Sr., 6-2, 321; Quaveon Davis, Jackson State, Sr., 6-8, 330; Anthony Iliano, Maine, R-Jr., 6-3, 305; Cam Nolan, Holy Cross, 5th Year, 6-3, 305; Thomas O'Brien, Harvard, Sr., 6-6, 310; Landon Woodard, Illinois State, Sr., 6-5, 330;
THIRD TEAM - DEFENSE
DL – McCoy Casey, Southeast Missouri, Sr., 6-2, 244; Case Mankins, Rhode Island, Sr., 6-3, 245; Ike Odimegwu, Brown, Sr., 6-3, 235; Isaiah Perez, Eastern Washington, R-Sr., 6-2, 290
LB – Cole Taylor, Montana State, Jr., 6-3, 230; Anthony Ferrelli, Stony Brook, R-Sr., 6-0, 225; Porter Connor, UC Davis, R-Sr., 6-2, 220; Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State, R-Jr., 6-2, 205; Gabe Hardman, South Dakota, R-Jr., 5-10, 230; Sean Line, Harvard, Sr., 6-0, 220; Kenny Olson, Cal Poly, R-Sr., 6-1, 225; Malachi Williams, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-1, 220; Steve Zayachkowsky, Charleston Southern, Sr., 5-10, 215
DB – Tayden Gray, Montana State, Jr., 6-0, 185; La'Shavion Brown, Illinois State, Sr., 6-2, 215; Nick Peltekian, Lehigh, 5th Year, 6-0, 215; Trey Watkins, LIU, R-Sr., 6-0, 184
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK – Andrew Lastovka, Youngstown State, Sr., 5-8, 170
P – Ryan Marks, Utah Tech, R-Sr., 5-11, 235
LS – Pierson Parent, McNeese, Jr., 5-8, 180
KR – Keylijah Williams, Bryant, Sr., 6-0, 183
PR – Dkhai Joseph, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., 5-10, 160
AP – Gavin Lochow, Dayton, Sr., 6-0, 185
#GoCatsGo
BOZEMAN, Mont. (July 13, 2026) – Led by Caden Dowler and Taco Dowler, eight Montana State Bobcats earned mention on the 2026 Stats Perform Preseason All-America Team on Monday.
Seniors Caden Dowler, the reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, and all-purpose player Taco Dowler, like his brother a returning All-America, landed on the Stats Perform first team. Senior offensive lineman Titan Fleischmann, junior running back Adam Jones and senior kicker Myles Sansted also earned first team honors. Quarterback Justin Lamson earned second team honors, while linebacker Cole Taylor and safety Tayden Gray landed on the third team.
Montana State's eight selections lead the FCS. Five of the eight Bobcats earning preseason honors – Taco Dowler, Caden Dowler, Fleischmann, Jones and Lamson – earned All-America honors after the 2026 season. Below is the eight Bobcats honored, and the full Stats Perform All-America Team.
Bobcats Selected to 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team
FIRST TEAM: OFFENSE – RB Adam Jones, OL Titan Fleischmann. DEFENSE – S Caden Dowler. SPECIAL TEAMS –
All-Purpose Taco Dowler, K Myles Sansted.
SECOND TEAM: OFFENSE – QB Justin Lamson.
THIRD TEAM: DEFENSE – LB Cole Taylor, S Tayden Gray.
2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team
FIRST TEAM - OFFENSE
QB – Beau Brungard, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-0, 215
RB – Adam Jones, Jr, 6-1, 200; Eli Gillman, Montana, R-Sr., 6-0, 213; Luke Yoder, Lehigh, Sr., 5-11, 205
WR – Marquis Buchanan, Rhode Island, R-Sr., 6-4, 190; Samuel Gbatu Jr., UC Davis, Sr., 5-10, 185
TE – Ryder Kurtz, Cornell, Sr., 6-5, 233
OL – Titan Fleischmann, Montana State, Sr., 6-4, 300; Quinten Christensen, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-5, 300; Erik Gray, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-1, 256; Stryker Rashid, Idaho State, R-Sr., 6-5, 295; Joshua Sales Jr., Austin Peay, R-Sr., 6-5, 312
FIRST TEAM - DEFENSE
DL – Andrew Huff, Lamar, Sr., 6-2, 230; Lance Rucker, North Dakota, Sr., 6-3, 230; Joshua Stoneking, Furman, R-Jr., 6-3, 258; Mike Wells, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-3, 250
LB – Jake Dalmado, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., 6-0, 215; Mikey D'Amato, Cal Poly, Sr., 6-0, 230; Tye Niekamp, Illinois State, Sr., 6-3, 240; Peyton Wing, Montana, Sr., 6-0, 229
DB – Caden Dowler, Montana Sate, Sr., 6-0, 205; Rex Connors, UC Davis, Sr., 6-1, 220; Abu Kamara, Yale, Sr., 6-1, 208; Christopher Jean, Central Connecticut State, R-Jr., 5-10, 180
SPECIAL TEAMS
AP – Taco Dowler, Montana State, Sr., 5-9, 190
PK – Myles Sansted, Montana State, Sr., 6-3, 188
P – Ben Shrewsbury, VMI, Sr., 6-2, 190
LS – Hayden King, UT Martin, R-Jr., 5-10, 205
KR – Ja'briel Mace, Villanova, Jr., 5-9, 175
PR – Bugs Mortimer, Stephen F. Austin, R-Sr., 5-10, 177
SECOND TEAM - OFFENSE
QB – Justin Lamson, Montana State, Sr., 6-2, 210; Keali'I Ah Yat, Montana, R-Jr., 6-1, 200
RB – Victor Dawson, Illinois State, Sr., 5-11, 220; Charles Pierre Jr., South Dakota, R-Sr., 5-10, 210
WR – Sam Milligan, Bucknell, Sr., 6-3, 220; Lofton O'Groske, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-0, 210; Eric Weatherly, Tennessee Tech, Sr., 5-8, 183
TE – Winston Williams, UC Davis, Sr., 6-4, 245
OL – Liam Becher, North Dakota, Sr., 6-7, 306; Desmeal Leigh, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-7, 325; Aidan Moe, Tarleton State, Sr., 6-8, 310; Aidan Palmer, Lehigh, 5th Year, 6-4, 300; Luke Roaten, Abilene Christian, R-Sr., 6-6, 300
SECOND TEAM - DEFENSE
DL – Chris Benton, The Citadel, Sr., 6-0, 250; Camden Byrd, Richmond, R-Sr., 6-3, 245; Dawson Ripperda, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-4, 255; Kaden Vig, North Dakota, Jr., 6-6, 253; Brodie Carroll, Elon, R-Jr., 6-1, 240
LB – Rohan Davy, Rhode Island, Jr., 5-10, 205; Eli Ennis, Stephen F. Austin, R-Sr., 6-2, 220; Carter Glassmyer, Richmond, Grad, 6-1, 224; Cullen McShane, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-2, 230
DB – Damien Henderson, Harvard, Sr., 6-0, 180; Jaylon Jenkins, Eastern Washington, R-Jr., 6-1, 192; Jaeden Jones, Monmouth, Jr., 6-0, 190; Ken Moore Jr., Western Carolina, R-Sr., 5-10, 160
DB – Dylan Rowsey, Murray State, Sr., 6-1, 195
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK – Luke Barnes, Elon, Jr., 6-6, 220
P – Max Pelham, South Dakota State, Grad, 6-1, 195
LS – Maddox Boughton, Northern Colorado, R-So., 6-0, 225
KR – DeAndre Buchannon, Tarleton State, Sr., 5-10, 175
PR – Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T, R-Sr., 5-11, 180
AP – Brayden Smith, Mercer, Jr., 5-10, 185
THIRD TEAM - OFFENSE
QB – Chris Parson, Austin Peay, R-Jr., 5-11, 224; DJ Williams, Southern Illinois, Sr., 6-3, 218
RB – Dason Brooks, Idaho State, R-Sr., 5-11, 228; MJ Flowers, Tennessee Tech, R-Sr., 6-1, 193
WR – Roy Alexander, UIW, Grad, 5-11, 200; Chedon James, Idaho State, R-Sr., 5-9, 175; Samuel Musungu, Cornell, Sr., 6-1, 192
TE – Greyton Gannon, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-4, 235; Seamus Gilmartin, Harvard, Sr., 6-4, 235
OL – Tre Alexander, Rhode Island, R-Sr., 6-2, 321; Quaveon Davis, Jackson State, Sr., 6-8, 330; Anthony Iliano, Maine, R-Jr., 6-3, 305; Cam Nolan, Holy Cross, 5th Year, 6-3, 305; Thomas O'Brien, Harvard, Sr., 6-6, 310; Landon Woodard, Illinois State, Sr., 6-5, 330;
THIRD TEAM - DEFENSE
DL – McCoy Casey, Southeast Missouri, Sr., 6-2, 244; Case Mankins, Rhode Island, Sr., 6-3, 245; Ike Odimegwu, Brown, Sr., 6-3, 235; Isaiah Perez, Eastern Washington, R-Sr., 6-2, 290
LB – Cole Taylor, Montana State, Jr., 6-3, 230; Anthony Ferrelli, Stony Brook, R-Sr., 6-0, 225; Porter Connor, UC Davis, R-Sr., 6-2, 220; Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State, R-Jr., 6-2, 205; Gabe Hardman, South Dakota, R-Jr., 5-10, 230; Sean Line, Harvard, Sr., 6-0, 220; Kenny Olson, Cal Poly, R-Sr., 6-1, 225; Malachi Williams, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-1, 220; Steve Zayachkowsky, Charleston Southern, Sr., 5-10, 215
DB – Tayden Gray, Montana State, Jr., 6-0, 185; La'Shavion Brown, Illinois State, Sr., 6-2, 215; Nick Peltekian, Lehigh, 5th Year, 6-0, 215; Trey Watkins, LIU, R-Sr., 6-0, 184
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK – Andrew Lastovka, Youngstown State, Sr., 5-8, 170
P – Ryan Marks, Utah Tech, R-Sr., 5-11, 235
LS – Pierson Parent, McNeese, Jr., 5-8, 180
KR – Keylijah Williams, Bryant, Sr., 6-0, 183
PR – Dkhai Joseph, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., 5-10, 160
AP – Gavin Lochow, Dayton, Sr., 6-0, 185
#GoCatsGo
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