Jenkins, Perez earn preseason All-American, All-Big Sky from Phil Steele

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Make it three preseason All-American honors for Eastern Washington University’s Jaylon Jenkins (Safety) and Isaiah Perez (Defensive Tackle). Phil Steele, American sportswriter and analyst, released his preseason All-American teams, with Jenkins placing on the second team and Perez on the third. 

Steele also released his preseason All-Big Sky team, with eight players representing EWU. 

In addition to Jenkins and Perez landing on the first-team All-Big Sky, Ambrose Marsh ( Defensive Back), Nate Bell (All-Purpose) and Soren McKee (Kicker found spots on the second team. Gavin Allen (Offensive Lineman), Mark Johnson (Offensive Lineman) and Cole Pruett (Punt Returner) earned third-team honors from Steele. 

Jenkins tied for fifth in the FCS and led the Eagles with five interceptions last season, adding eight pass breakups for 13 passes defended, ranking 16th in the nation. He had 52 total tackles, with 2.0 for a loss and 39 solo. Jenkins was selected to the Big Sky All-Conference first team last season.  

Perez set a new EWU record with four blocked kicks – three field goals and one PAT – that also led the FCS. The senior led the team with 4.0 sacks, ranking 15th in the Big Sky, while tallying 51 total tackles, 19 of them solo. Perez earned Big Sky All-Conference honorable mention after his record-breaking season. 

This past week, Jenkins and Perez were named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference team. The two have earned preseason All-American recognition from Stats Perform and FCS Central. 

Marsh found himself in a bigger role than expected last season, starting 11 games at cornerback and playing in all 12. As a redshirt freshman, Marsh recorded 43 tackles, tying for seventh on the team, with 33 solo and two for a loss. He had two interceptions, one forced fumble and 1 sack in 2025.  

Bell earned Big Sky All-Conference honorable mention as an all-purpose player for 2025 after contributing across the board. Bell rushed for 663 yards on 118 carries – 5.6 yards per carry – and scored five touchdowns. 

The Brentwood, California native, Bell, started five games at quarterback and passed for 1003 yards and seven touchdowns, while completing 53.7% of his passes. 

Johnson and Allen were the stalwarts of the Eagle offensive line last season, with both starting all 12 games.  

Johnson started all 12 games at center, his first season snapping the ball. Allen switched from tight end to guard in the offseason before the ‘25 season. 

McKee ranked second in the Big Sky with an 84.6 field goal percentage, going 11 of 13. He kicked a 51-yard field goal against Sacramento state, a new career long. McKee was 29 of 30 on extra points and led Eastern with 62 points scored, ranking 18th in the conference. 

Pruett played in all 12 games for the Eagles last season, catching 27 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. The redshirt-senior had four punt returns for 24 yards, with a long of 12 yards. 

    Isaiah Perez from the Eagles runs toward the sideline last season. Perez earned third team All-American and first team All-Big Sky from Phil Steele.