University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Five Bears Earn Preseason Honors
8/3/2026 9:06:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Phil Steele's College Football, a popular college football publication, has named their respective preseason FCS All-Americans and All-Big Sky teams, announced on Monday.
Northern Colorado had five players named to the All-Big Sky teams, headlined by long snapper Maddox Broughton and center Jack Ziebell who were also named preseason FCS All-Americans on the third and fourth respectively. Defensive lineman Ezra Ekuban joined Broughton and Ziebell on the All-Big Sky first-team. Offensive lineman Levi Johnson was named to the second-team along with linebacker Hudson Voggesser on the third-team.
Broughton, beginning his third season at UNC also was named a Second-Team Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American and preseason All-Big Sky voted on by the media, started all 12 games a season ago, earning All-Big Sky Honorable Mention and Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-American honors.
He anchored a Bears special teams' unit that ranked top three in the Big Sky in net punting and featured a top six conference placekicker and punter by average. Broughton successfully snapped on all 59 punts and 21 field goals and extra points without a recorded miscue.
Ziebell a three-year starting offensive lineman and veteran leader up front was named to the preseason All-Big Sky as voted on by the media earlier this week and last season named Big Sky All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition. He started all season a year ago and anchored an offensive line that ranked among the conference's best in pass protection and negative-play prevention. Ziebell helped Northern Colorado finish second in the Big Sky and ninth nationally in sacks allowed, surrendering just 0.92 sacks per game.
Following last season he was named to the 2025 PFSN FCS Second Team All-American and to the 2025 All-NFFCC Second Team – Offense.
Ekuban, entering his fifth season in Greeley, was also named to the preseason All-Big Sky team by the media and is coming off a season in which he appeared in nine games along the defensive line and emerged as a disruptive presence up front. He finished the season with 37 total tackles, including 8.0 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
He posted a season-high nine tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack at Colorado State, earning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honors. Ekuban added another strong performance at Houston Christian, recording eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.
Johnson, represented UNC at the conference kickoff last week and appeared in all 12 games as a junior along the offensive line, providing depth and consistency up front. This is Johnson's first preseason honor but was named to the 2025 All-NFFCC Second Team and was on the 2024 Big Sky Conference Fall All-Academic Team.
Voggesser emerged last season as one of Northern Colorado's top defensive players. He appeared in all 12 games and finished the season with 83 total tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. His play earned him All-Big Sky Honorable Mention and Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week in the third game of the season.
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.
Quarterback Club
The Quarterback Club plays a vital role in supporting the UNC Football program. By giving to the Quarterback Club, you help enhance the student-athlete experience, providing resources for team development, and ensuring the success of the Bears on and off the field. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference in the future of the program.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the football team on Instagram, X and Facebook.
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Northern Colorado had five players named to the All-Big Sky teams, headlined by long snapper Maddox Broughton and center Jack Ziebell who were also named preseason FCS All-Americans on the third and fourth respectively. Defensive lineman Ezra Ekuban joined Broughton and Ziebell on the All-Big Sky first-team. Offensive lineman Levi Johnson was named to the second-team along with linebacker Hudson Voggesser on the third-team.
Broughton, beginning his third season at UNC also was named a Second-Team Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American and preseason All-Big Sky voted on by the media, started all 12 games a season ago, earning All-Big Sky Honorable Mention and Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-American honors.
He anchored a Bears special teams' unit that ranked top three in the Big Sky in net punting and featured a top six conference placekicker and punter by average. Broughton successfully snapped on all 59 punts and 21 field goals and extra points without a recorded miscue.
Ziebell a three-year starting offensive lineman and veteran leader up front was named to the preseason All-Big Sky as voted on by the media earlier this week and last season named Big Sky All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition. He started all season a year ago and anchored an offensive line that ranked among the conference's best in pass protection and negative-play prevention. Ziebell helped Northern Colorado finish second in the Big Sky and ninth nationally in sacks allowed, surrendering just 0.92 sacks per game.
Following last season he was named to the 2025 PFSN FCS Second Team All-American and to the 2025 All-NFFCC Second Team – Offense.
Ekuban, entering his fifth season in Greeley, was also named to the preseason All-Big Sky team by the media and is coming off a season in which he appeared in nine games along the defensive line and emerged as a disruptive presence up front. He finished the season with 37 total tackles, including 8.0 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
He posted a season-high nine tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack at Colorado State, earning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honors. Ekuban added another strong performance at Houston Christian, recording eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.
Johnson, represented UNC at the conference kickoff last week and appeared in all 12 games as a junior along the offensive line, providing depth and consistency up front. This is Johnson's first preseason honor but was named to the 2025 All-NFFCC Second Team and was on the 2024 Big Sky Conference Fall All-Academic Team.
Voggesser emerged last season as one of Northern Colorado's top defensive players. He appeared in all 12 games and finished the season with 83 total tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. His play earned him All-Big Sky Honorable Mention and Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week in the third game of the season.
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.
Quarterback Club
The Quarterback Club plays a vital role in supporting the UNC Football program. By giving to the Quarterback Club, you help enhance the student-athlete experience, providing resources for team development, and ensuring the success of the Bears on and off the field. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference in the future of the program.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the football team on Instagram, X and Facebook.
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Players Mentioned
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