Seven Aggies Earn Conference High Preseason Big Sky Honors

Seven members of UC Davis football earned Preseason Big Sky Conference honors as part of the Big Sky Conference's announcement.

BY UC DAVIS ATHLETICS

Jul 22, 2025, 8:52 AM

Follow on Google News

(UC Davis football)

Seven members of UC Davis football earned Preseason Big Sky Conference honors as part of the Big Sky Conference’s announcement of its 2025 preseason awards, giving the Aggies the most honorees among the conference.

Rex Connors (defensive back); Porter Connors (linebacker); Samuel Gbatu, Jr., (wide receiver); Winston Williams (tight end); Ernesto Nava (offensive line); Eli Simonson (offensive line) and Hunter Ridley (kicker).

Rex adds to his preseason list of honors having already been named a STATS Perform First Team Preseason All-American. His 2024 season was record-breaking season seeing the Aggie safety set the single season program record in solo tackles while earning Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association and FCS Football Central All-American honors. The Connors finished with a record-breaking 74 solo tackles, finishing with a total tally of 115 on the season.

TOPS IN THE CONFERENCE 👏👏

A Big Sky Conference best seven Aggies have earned Preseason All-Conference honors!!#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/OfwTtc5SpR

— UC Davis Football (@UCDfootball) July 20, 2025

More on UC Davis football

Williams, who has already earned STATS Perform Second Team Preseason All-American honors was also named the second-best returning tight end in the nation by HERO Sports. He ended the 2024 season leading all Big Sky tight ends in touchdown receptions and he finished second in the nation for most receiving touchdowns by a tight end. When the year came to an end, Williams had racked up career numbers finishing with 265 receiving yards on 34 receptions, snagging six touchdowns while averaging 19.0 yards per game.

Ridley has had a busy summer of accolades, earning STATS Perform Second Team Preseason All-American honors, the Aggie primary kicker was also nominated for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He was named a 2024 Fred Mitchell Award finalist after going 16-for-18 in field goals and hitting 56 PATs during the 2024 campaign.

Porter gained STATS Perform Third Team Preseason All-American honors and his ended the 2024 season having earned Second Team Big Sky All-Conference honors. During the 2024 season he finished with 86 total tackles, made three interceptions and scored a defensive touchdown on a scoop and score in the season opener at California. His game at Cal earned him national defensive player of the week honors as the Aggie linebacker would go on to start 13 games over the remainder of the season.

Gbatu Jr., made 10 starts and saw action in 14 games during the 2024 season where he finished second on the team and led all Aggie receivers in receiving yards with 779, making 44 receptions and snagging seven receiving touchdowns. His big mark on the season came at Eastern Washington when he made the fifth-longest reception in the country that year and the fourth longest in program history when he brought in a 90-yard touchdown reception on the red turf in Cheney, Washington.

Up front, UC Davis football can claim two of the six offensive line spots on the list with Nava and Simonson. Both multi-year starters both Nava and Simonson made a combined 27 starts at right and left tackles respectively. Behind the Aggie offensive line and thanks to the anchoring jobs of Nava and Simonson the Aggies set five team offensive records and helped protect quarterback Miles Hastings who went on to become the first Aggie in program history to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season.

UC Davis football earned first-place votes in both Big Sky Preseason polls, finishing second in the coaches poll and third in the media poll.

The Aggies kick 2025 off with a Week 0 matchup against No. 12 Mercer in Montgomery, Alabama on Aug. 23 when they take part in the FCS Kickoff Classic. UC Davis Health Stadium opens on Sept. 20 when Southern Utah visits Davis and the first Big Sky game is set for Sept. 27 with a visit to UC Davis Health Stadium by Weber State.

UC DAVIS FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets are on sale now, and fans can head here to secure their spot in Shredville for the 2025 season. Tickets start as low as $100 for new alumni and $140 for the general public.

GROUP TICKETS: Football group ticket discounts start at 10 or more tickets and provide a great opportunity for gatherings and parties to enjoy Aggie football. If you’d like to create an unforgettable experience with your group, the Aggie Ticket Office is here to help you customize your day! Fans can head to THIS LINK to purchase their group ticket packages.

MINI PLANS: Mini Plans are a great way for Aggie fans to save on tickets by bundling multiple games. Choose from 2 different options to get the biggest bang for your buck, and fans get to pick the games that work the best for you. The Pick Any 2 or Pick Any 3 Plans allow fans to pick and choose which games they want to attend at a discounted rate versus buying single-game tickets.

All mini plan seats will be located in section 119 or 125 on the West side of UC Davis Health Stadium. The Pick Any 2 Plan will be $79 while the Pick Any 3 Plan is $129. Both plans can be purchased here.

Season Tickets, Group Tickets, and Junior Aggie Club Memberships are also still available to purchase, with Group Tickets available for as low as $15 and Season Tickets as low as $100 for recent UC Davis graduates.