Sataraka, Iupati preseason ALL-WAC

This afternoon the University of Idaho announced senior offensive guard Mike Iupati and junior defensive tackle Jonah Sataraka were named to Phil Steele's preseason All-Western Athletic Conference First-Team. They are joined by safeties Shiloh Keo and Virdell Larkins on the 2nd team, junior tailback Deonte Jackson on the 3rd team, senior offensive lineman Bryce Sinclair on the fourth team.

The following is an official press release issued today by the University of Idaho Sports Information Department.


Senior offensive guard Mike Iupati and junior defensive tackle Jonah Sataraka are first-team preseason all-Western Athletic Conference choices by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview.

Iupati and Sataraka are two of six Vandals to be recognized on the annual team. On the second team defense are safeties Shiloh Keo, a junior, and Virdell Larkins, a senior, while junior running back Deonte Jackson is a third team choice on the offense and senior Bryce Sinclair is a fourth team offensive tackle.

At 6-6, 330 and a two-year starter, Iupati is expected to be a mainstay in the Vandals’ offensive line. On the other side of the ball, Sataraka, also a two-year letterman, is a veteran in a young defensive line.

Keo, who redshirted last season after sustaining a shoulder injury in the Vandals’ fourth game, returns as a key component on the defense. Last season, Larkins stepped up in a leadership role in the absence of Keo – one of the team’s captains.

Jackson has led the Vandals in rushing each of the last two seasons, although injuries took a toll in 2008 after a 1,000-yard plus effort his freshman year. Sinclair is just one of many new faces replacing the bulk of a veteran offensive line.