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Zach Vigil has gone from being a walk-on to Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, a transformation that has left him even a little amazed at how his college career has played out, he admitted Tuesday after learning he'd won the award.

"It's humbling," he said. "There are a lot of good players in the conference and I'm thankful to be recognized as an individual, but I was part of a good football team."

Vigil said the recognition hadn't set in yet.

"It was an offseason goal of mine to be recognized by my performance and I'm happy to achieve that goal," he said, noting individual goals are always wrapped into the team's success. "But I'd much rather be playing in the Mountain West championship game instead."

As for the loss to Boise State, Vigil said the Aggies just weren't physical enough but are eager to redeem themselves in a bowl game.

"We're going to rebound," he said. "We'll take the coaching and criticism and do what we can. We don't want to end on that foot, we want to go out there and win one last time."

After the bowl game, Vigil said he hopes to get a shot at the pro level, a chance he never imagined he'd have a few years ago.

"I never imagined being in this position," he said of being an award winner. "It's surreal and things are moving fast and God willing I'll have a shot at the next level. I look forward to those opportunities."