The preseason picks are in for the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year and first and second team rosters.

The offensive player of the year is....

LaDANIAN TOMLINSON FROM TCU

The defensive player of the year is....

AARON SCHOBEL ALSO FROM TCU.

And here are the first and second team players:

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB David Neill, 6-5, 200, Jr. **NEVADA**
Two-time All-Big West Conference first-team. The Pack's leading returning rusher with over 200 yards on the ground, he threw for over 3,000 yards for the second straight season and could become the school's all-time passing and total offense leader by the end of his junior campaign in 2000. "He is probably the best QB in the WAC in 2000. His 3,400 yards would have placed him second behind Robinson last season. This kid is going to tear it up next year." -- Bob Salas, SpartaFans.com, San Jose State

TB LaDainian Tomlinson, 5-11, 220, Sr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
After leading the nation with 1,850 rushing yards this season, Tomlinson has TCU fans thinking back to the mid 1980s when Kenneth Davis was a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. The junior from Waco broke Davis' 15-year old single season rushing record and made a national name for himself Nov. 20 with an astounding 406 yards on the ground against UTEP -- an NCAA Division I single-game record. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

FB Derrick Ward, 6-0, 225, So. **FRESNO STATE**
Top rusher for Fresno State, and also the leading rushing FB in the WAC with 824 yards, 6.2 yards per carry and 6 TDs. He is the best fullback in the conference hands down and is used as a primary running threat. -- Jerry McKune, Fresno State Barkboard.com

WR Rodney Wright, 5-8, 175, Sr. **FRESNO STATE**
1st team All WAC 2000. Game-breaking speed and the fact he caught for over 1,000 yards makes him the top receiver in the conference. He also had 7 TDs, averaged 14.8 yards per reception and led the team in all-purpose yardage. -- Jerry McKune, Fresno State Barkboard.com

WR Lee Mays, 6-3, 190, Jr. **TEXAS-EL PASO**
Mays had 60 catches for 881 yards and nine touchdowns last season, the most by a UTEP receiver since 1989. Has great hands and the ability to leap over defenders to make the catch. Expect him, barring injury, to be the WAC's best wideout the next two seasons. -- Darren Hunt, Miner Diggings

TE Brian Natkin, 6-3, 245, Sr. **TEXAS-EL PASO**
The nation's top returning tight end in receptions and yardage. The San Antonio native caught 59 passes last season, almost unheard of for a collegiate tight end. Natkin has also had a lot to do with UTEP's gradual attitude change in football the past few years. -- Darren Hunt, Miner Diggings

OL David Bobo, 6-5, 291 Sr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
Bobo gives TCU outstanding pass and run protection from the strong tackle spot. Last season Bobo earned first team all-WAC honors. The senior played his high school ball at what is perhaps Texas' most celebrated high school program, Odessa Permian. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

OL Carey Clayton, C/OL, 6-4, 275, Sr. **TEXAS-EL PASO**
Clayton, out of Southlake Carroll, is the anchor of UTEP's offensive line and was a member of the All-WAC first team. He is a rarity at UTEP - a fifth-year senior. Last year he paved the way for Paul Smith, the school's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1995. Clayton's brother, Robert, a freshman recruit, will join him on the 2000 team. -- Darren Hunt, Miner Diggings

OL Michael Keathley, 6-5, 295, Sr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
A big, athletic tackle with a nasty streak, Keathley has grown into TCU's quick tackle spot after being recruited as a defensive end. Last season Keathley earned second team all-WAC honors. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

OL Steve Schiller, Center, 6-5, 288, Sr. **TULSA**
Schiller has anchored the Golden Hurricane offensive line since his redshirt freshman season. He has started 31 of a possible 33 games over the past three seasons and was an All-WAC selection last year. -- Vicki Trammel, Tulsa Hurricane Tracker

OL Manly Kanoa, 6-5, 301, Jr. **HAWAII**
The lone returning starter on the offensive line is expected to be the anchor this season. How Kanoa leads the front five in Jones' Run & Shoot attack will be critical to Hawaii's success, especially with four new starters on the OL and a new starting QB. Along with DB Dee Miller, Kanoa received the most votes from RSN Ohana voters in the Preseason All-WAC Nominations. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DT Alan Harper, 6-3, 290, Jr. **FRESNO STATE**
1st team All WAC 2000. The most dominating inside lineman Fresno State has ever had. Led the team in sacks with 4, and changed the momentum in games on many occasions. 4th on the team with 74 tackles, 11 for a total loss of 35 yards. There is no better run stuffer in the WAC and is already projecting as a 2nd-3rd round NFL draft in 2002. -- Jerry McKune, Fresno State Barkboard.com

DT Shawn Worthen, 6-1, 290, Sr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
A monster in the weight room, Worthen is one of the strongest players on the TCU roster. The senior from San Antonio is a run-stuffer and also contributes to the TCU pass rush. He was a second team all-WAC selection last season. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

DE Aaron Schobel, 6-4, 250, Sr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
The all-time leader in sacks at TCU, Schobel was a first-team all-WAC selection after recording a team-high 11 sacks. Schobel's younger brother and cousin also play for TCU. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

DE Chad McCarty, 6-2, 250, Jr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
McCarty emerged as a playmaker last season as a sophomore and will combine with Schobel to give TCU a fearsome pass rush. McCarty's older brother Chance was an all-WAC selection at TCU in the late 1990s. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

LB Orlando Huff, 6-3, 240, Sr. **FRESNO STATE**
1st team All WAC...Top NFL prospect on the squad this year. Long arms, and an absolute momentum changer. Best LB we've had at FSU since Ron Cox was drafted by the Chicago Bears. 2nd on the team in tackles with 81, he also had 3 sacks. -- Jerry McKune, Fresno State Barkboard.com

LB Tim Skipper, 5-7, 215, Sr. **FRESNO STATE**
2nd team All WAC 2000. Conference leader in tackles, and team leader for the last 3 years. Despite his size, there is no better player mentally in the WAC. He knows the game inside and out, and is like an extra coach on the field. Packs a big wallop for a man his size. -- Jerry McKune, Fresno State Barkboard.com

LB Shannon Brazzell, 5-11, 230, Sr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
Brazzell stepped up to lead the TCU linebacking corps in tackles last season after former captain Joe Phipps moved on to the Dallas Cowboys. Brazzell was a second team all-WAC selection last season. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

S Anthony Limbrick, 6-2, 220. Sr. **FRESNO STATE**
1st team All WAC...Another outstanding NFL prospect whose size and agility make him a lock to be drafted. Is comfortable playing either strong or free safety and showed that by having an interception at each position last year. Teams usually threw away from his direction, which is why he only had 3 picks. He also led the team with 9 pass break ups and was 5th overall with 71 tackles. -- Jerry McKune, Fresno State Barkboard.com

S Derek Walker, 6-2, 195, Sr. **TEXAS-EL PASO**
Second team All-WAC pick a year ago. Third on UTEP's defense with 92 tackles. Broke up three passes for a school that rated third in the WAC in pass-efficiency last season (117.4). Quiet player who goes about his business and seems to always make plays. -- Darren Hunt, Miner Diggings

CB Dee Miller, 6-2, 205, Jr. **HAWAII**
He "only" runs a 4.4 40, but Miller narrowed the gap between his performance and his potential last season. Jones considers Miller another lock to play on Sundays soon. Probably the most outspoken and confident member of the UH secondary. The unit can ill afford to lose a defender of his caliber. Along with OL Manly Kanoa, Miller received the most votes from RSN Ohana voters in the Preseason All-WAC Nominations. Miller, Hawaii's leading returning tackler, can also fill in at S. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

CB Brett Butler, 6-0, 180, So. **TULSA**
He had 3 INT's as a freshman...he deserves props. Was one of a number of true freshmen to sit out last season due to redshirt status . . . came out of spring drills as the starter at strong safety . . . had a great spring . . . began the spring season at cornerback, but moved to safety one-third into spring drills . . . intercepted a pass in spring drills and returned it 71 yards for a touchdown . . . an intense and intelligent player . . . has great man-to-man coverage skills . . . has a bright future. -- Vicki Trammel, Tulsa Hurricane Tracker

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK Chris Kaylakie, 6-0, 192, Sr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
A semifinalist for the 1998 Lou Groza award when he was first team all-WAC, Kaylakie returns for his third season as the Horned Frogs placekicker. In 1999 Kaylakie hit 10-of-18 field goals with a long of 44 yards and hit 40 of 41 PATs. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

Return Specialist Jamal Garland, 5-9, 170, Jr. **HAWAII**
Garland, last year's kick return specialist, could blossom this season at wideout. He has tremendous explosion and quickness, and the only question is, can he crack one of Hawaii's deepest positions. As a return man, no one touches him; he returned 38 punts for 282 yards and brought back 33 kickoffs for 751 yards last season. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

P Travis Hale, 6-4, 205, So. **RICE**
As a true freshman, Hale is the leading returning WAC punter with a 41.5-yard average. His longest as a 64-yarder against Tulsa. Coaches like the athletic kicker, who also can double as a placekicker. In high school, he punted for 42.7 yards a game with 95 percent of his kickoffs going out of the end zone. He likely will add kickoffs to his duties, as Scott Grimes has graduated. -- Neal Farmer, Rice Super Owls

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB Casey Printers, 6-3, 200, So. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
Last year's Mobile Alabama Bowl MVP, Printers returns for his sophomore season after starting nine games last season for the Frogs. Printers won the starting QB job as a true freshman last season with a 133.53 QB rating and passed for 1,213 yards and eight touchdowns. -- HornedFrogInsider.com

TB Deonce Whitaker, 5-6, 175, Sr. **SAN JOSE STATE**
Ran for over 769 yards, 10 TDs in 1999 while missing all or part of 5 games. Don't let his size fool you. He is a powerful runner with great speed, good hands, and excellent balance. Prop 48 will be back in 2001 to play as grad student. -- Bob Salas, SpartaFans.com, San Jose State

FB Jamie Tyler, 6-0, 210, Jr. **RICE**
The triple-option cannot go without a great fullback, and great things are expected out of Tyler this year. He was Rice's second-leading rusher in 1998 with 614 yards as a redshirt freshman, and led the team with 48 points on eight touchdowns. Last year, he only started six games due to a spate of injuries, but sported a 4.1-yard-per-carry average. Head coach Ken Hatfield will die a happy man if every carry was for four yards, as that would eat up the clock and keep the Rice defense off the field. -- Neal Farmer, Rice Super Owls

WR Channon Harris, 5-9, 160, Jr. **HAWAII**
Harris, with two touchdown receptions in the upset win over Oregon State in the Oahu Bowl, has a habit of struggling with early passes. He also had a habit of coming right back in big ways. He may be the most dangerous UH receiver in yards after catch. The Rainbow Warriors will need a big season from Harris to keep the Run & Shoot rolling. He finished with 61 catches for 941 yards with eight TDs, including five receptions for 81 yards against Oregon State. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

WR Craig Stutzmann 5-11, 187, Jr. **HAWAII**
Stutzmann, one of the great wide receivers to come out of Honolulu's Saint Louis School, had more than 60 receptions last year and had no fear on routes over the middle. His toughness and consistency are notable traits, but fans like his work ethic even more. Stutz has been working with a sprint coach at Punahou in the spring and summer, which could mean bigger numbers in the fall. He finished last season with 67 receptions for 708 yards and eight TDs. He also averaged six yards per carry on a handful of running plays. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

TE Sean Brewer, 6-4, 255, Sr. **SAN JOSE STATE**
Used primarily as a blocking end and in short passing situation. 20 receptions, 152 yards, 3 TDs in 1999. Has the size, ability and the hands to be a pro. Even played DT in 1998. -- Bob Salas, SpartaFans.com, San Jose State

OL Chris Feesago, 6-3, 332, Jr. **SAN JOSE STATE**
Second year at left tackle. 2nd team All-WAC in 1999, will lead a much improved OL. -- Bob Salas, SpartaFans.com, San Jose State

OL Steve Wiedower, 6-3, 282, Sr. **TULSA**
Wiedower has been a mainstay of the offensive line since he was one of only three TU true freshman to earn playing time in 1997. He split time with center Steve Schiller that season and has been a starter at guard ever since. He was named offensive player of the game twice during his sophomore season. -- Vicki Trammel, Tulsa Hurricane Tracker

OL Vince Manuwai, 6-2, 290, So. **HAWAII**
Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh always has an endless stream of superlatives when it comes to Manuwai, who saw some playing time last season despite the four senior starters on the OL. Quick, agile and strong, Manuwai is already considered one of the best OL in the program. Manuwai got some snaps at center during the final week of spring camp and Cavanaugh will not rule out the possibility of using him there on a permanent basis. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

OL Kevin Jordan, 6-5, 305, Sr. **FRESNO STATE**
Started last year at right tackle for the first time in his career, and dominated. Was an absolute rock on the OL after being switched from DL. Best athlete we have on the OL, will be our starting left tackle this year and has already drawn a lot of interests from NFL scouts. -- Jerry McKune, Fresno State Barkboard.com

OL Jeff Seeton, 6-5, 290, Sr. **TEXAS-EL PASO**
A fifth-year senior who helped pave the way for Paul Smith's 1,000-yard season last year. Seeton adds toughness to UTEP's now experienced line, which for years has been the problem point for the Miners. -- Darren Hunt, Miner Diggings

OL Rod Beavan, 6-3, 280, Sr., **RICE**
Beavan was a Freshman All-America, as named by The Sporting News, in 1996, and was the first Owls lineman since Courtney Hall to start all 11 games as a true freshman. Hall went on to start at center for the San Diego Chargers. A recurring shoulder injury caused the tackle to redshirt in 1997, but he started in 10 of 11 games last year after starting in all 11 in 1998. He consistently grades out in the 90-plus range, and is a major part in the success of Rice's triple-option running scheme. -- Neal Farmer, Rice Super Owls

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DT Doug Sims, 6-3, 320, Sr. **HAWAII**
Former defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said in November that Sims is in the mold of Cortez Kennedy, the All-Pro DL who played under McMackin at the University of Miami. And like Kennedy, Sims needed to drop 50 pounds to reach his best playing weight. As of spring camp 2000, Sims had dropped 30 pounds to 320, one sign that he's serious about his future. The all-meat, no-starch diet gives Sims more endurance and agility up front. He has the kind of light feet that allowed Jones to use "Big Business" as a power running back on rare occasions in '99. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

DT Horacio Leyva, 6-4, 270, Jr. **NEVADA**
Topping the list of returnees in the defensive front will be Leyva. He was second on the team in tackles for loss (7 for 27 yards) and had 35 tackles, 10th on the team but second among returning players. "Horacio is a guy who I think has a lot of potential. He played as a true freshman, has really good strength and he moves well. He's going to have to be the anchor of the defensive front," Tormey said.

DE Joe Correia, 6-2, 260, Sr. **HAWAII**
Correia showed tremendous fortitude last season by playing through leg and hand injuries to make big plays for the Rainbow Warriors. A former quarterback at powerhouse Saint Louis School, he may be one of the quickest defensive ends in the conference. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

DE Laanui Correia, 6-3, 248, Jr. **HAWAII**
Correia transferred to Hawaii from UNLV last season and has shown incredible quickness and power. He is the one player the Rebels bemoaned losing to Hawaii. The Rebels have June Jones to thank for that. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

LB Ashon Farley, 5-11, 222, Sr. **TULSA**
Farley has been an impact player since his freshman season, accumulating 216 career tackles and 27 starts. He posted a team-leading 85 stops last year, including 12 tackles for losses and three sacks. Farley has a nose for the ball. He has produced five interceptions over the last three seasons and last year returned two interceptions for 63 yards. -- Vicki Trammel, Tulsa Hurricane Tracker

LB Josh Parry, 6-2, 243, Sr. **SAN JOSE STATE**
Three year starter, moved from OL to ILB, should thrive in new defensive scheme. 94 tackles in 1999. -- Bob Salas, SpartaFans.com

LB Robert Kemfort, 6-2, 200, Sr. **HAWAII**
The former high school running back made a tremendous transition to LB last season, and his outstanding speed made him a valuable part of the Rainbow Warriors' swarming 4-3 defense. As he gains more experience and strength, his value to the unit becomes even more important. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com

S Jason Hebert, 6-0, 185, Jr. **RICE**
Hebert had a break-out season last year, often comparing how many tackles he had vs. what teammate Dan Dawson had in a friendly rivalry until Dawson was injured. He ended up leading the team with 83 total tackles. He also led the squad with four interceptions that he returned a total of 104 yards. He is such a good athlete that he also returns punts (16 punts for a total of 96 yards). -- Neal Farmer, Rice Super Owls.

S Curtis Fuller, 5-10, 190, Sr. **TEXAS CHRISTIAN**
Fuller led TCU with 10 pass break-ups last season and as a result was named a second team all-WAC selection last season. - HornedFrogInsider.com

CB Dorae Lewis, 5-8, 169, Sr. **SAN JOSE STATE**
Good speed and field presence. 3 tackles, 1 sack and 1 INT in 1999 should be even more effective this season. -- Bob Salas, SpartaFans.com

CB Josh McMillan, 5-11, 170, Sr. **RICE**
McMillan was sixth in tackles last season - third in unassisted plays -- with one interception.

PK Ricky Bishop, 5-9, 170, Sr. **TEXAS-EL PASO**
Bishop is a two-time nominee for the Lou Groza Award. Last year he 11 of 15 field goals with his long coming from 49 yards. Bishop, who has overcome a serious knee injury in his sophomore season, was 31 of 33 on conversions in 1999. -- Darren Hunt, Miner Diggings

Return Specialist Charles Smith, 5-8, 180, Jr. **FRESNO STATE**
Averaged 10.3 yards on punt returns with 47 of them, and averaged 28.5 yards on kick returns. Also was a pivotal gunner in kickoff and punt coverage. Also was 2nd on the team as a WR with 52 receptions for 600 yards and 7 TDs. -- Jerry McKune, Fresno State Barkboard.com

P Eric Hannum, 6-3, 181, Sr. **HAWAII**
A placekicker who may have to punt, Hannum had an up and down '99. Despite a mid-season slump, Hannum nailed 11-of-19 field-goal attempts to give Hawaii the best performance from a placekicker in several seasons. His range, up to about 55 yards, will be another plus for the Rainbow Warriors, but he must fend off a challenge from redshirt freshman Jake Huggins, a lefty kicker with an equally powerful leg. -- Paul Honda, RainbowSportsNetwork.com.

Special thanks to wacattack.com for providing the article and reviews.