Phil Steele names 4 Griz All-America

Another day brings another preseason All-America FCS team, and Phil Steele Magazine honored four Montana Grizzlies Friday.

The magazine also put nine Griz on its annual preseason All-Big Sky team.

Patrick O'Connell, who was tabbed the magazine's Big Sky preseason defensive MVP, leads the way. Joining him as All-America picks are cornerback Justin Ford, safety Robby Hauck and return specialist Malik Flowers. Flowers is a second-team pick; O’Connell, Ford and Hauck are first game.

O'Connell has now doubled up on Big Sky Conference preseason defensive Player of the Year honors, garnering them from the league's coaches and Phil Steele Magazine. The Kalispell native, along with Hauck and Ford, is on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list for 2022.

All four players All-America picks are first-team all-Big Sky picks as well, along with defensive tackle Alex Gubner. Second-team picks are running back Marcus Knight, guard Hunter Mayginnes and linebacker Marcus Welnel.

Sophomore tight end Cole Grossman was named third-team all-Big Sky.