OGDEN, Utah-Thursday, Weber State football achieved a No. 7 ranking in the HERO Sports preseason poll.

The Wildcats are tied for No. 7 with fellow Big Sky Conference foe Montana State.

Other Big Sky Conference schools to be ranked include No. 9 Montana, No. 16 Eastern Washington and No. 23 Sacramento State.

Defending national champion Sam Houston is No. 1 in the polls, followed by No. 2 James Madison No. 3 South Dakota State, No. 4 North Dakota State and No. 5 Southern Illinois.

The Wildcats went 5-1 during the spring season and made the NCAA FCS playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

The reigning Big Sky Coach of the Year Jay Hill returns for his eighth season in leading the Wildcats’ program.

Weber State is represented by four All-Americans: senior linebacker Conner Mortensen, the reigning Big Sky Conference defensive MVP, senior kick returner Rashid Shaheed, senior safety Preston Smith and senior offensive lineman Ty Whitworth.

The Wildcats also return 13 All-Big Sky Conference performers from the spring season.

Weber State commences fall camp August 4 and will start the season September 2 at Utah.

The Wildcats’ home opener at Stewart Stadium is September 18 against national power James Madison.