Posted on December 6, 2021
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Our senior football writers—Dane Miller, Nick Bartlett, Stephen Vilardo, Mark Shmor, and Steve Ritchie—have selected their Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman Player of the Year, and Special Team Player of the Year for the 2021 football season.
They’re selections were made before the release of the official Pac-12 choices, to keep them independent. Nine different players received votes.
The vote for the Defensive Player of the Year and the Coach of the Year was unanimous.
You’ll find a tabulation of their choices and a cumulative listing of all weekly SportsPac12 Players of the Week at the bottom of the page.
— Coach of the Year —
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Kyle Whittingham led the Utes to a South Division title and the Pac-12 Championship, blowing out Oregon twice en route to a Rose Bowl Berth, the first in Utah history.
The 17-year head coach guided the Utes through unimaginable tragedy after the shooting deaths of Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe in back-to-back seasons. He compiled a 10-3 record this season, and is 144-69 for his career.
— Offensive Player of the Year —
Cameron Rising, Sophomore Quarterback, Utah
Cameron Rising was 8-1 in games he started, completing 187 of 298 passing attempts for 2,279 yards with 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He also rushed for 407 yards and five touchdowns.
The sophomore quarterback overcame shoulder surgery to lead the Utes to a Pac-12 Championship and the school’s first-ever Rose Bowl berth.
— Defensive Player of the Year —
Devin Lloyd, Â Junior Linebacker, Utah
Devin Lloyd recorded 106 tackles, 62 of them solo, tied for second in the Pac-12, including a Conference-leading 22 tackles for loss. Lloyd also logged four interceptions, second-best in the Conference.
The junior linebacker sparked the Utes with a pick-six in the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon, and was named the game’s MVP. Many analysts project him as a First-Round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
— Freshman Player of the Year —
Noah Sewell, Freshman Linebacker, Oregon
Noah Sewell made 106 total tackles, tied for second in the Conference, 51 of them solo, with two forced fumbles and an interception.
The freshman linebacker helped fill the void after Justin Flowe was lost to injury for the season in the first game against Fresno State as well as in Oregon’s upset of Ohio State with Kayvon Thibodeaux sidelined.
— Special Teams Player of the Year —
Britain Covey, Junior Return Specialist, Utah
Britain Covey returned five kickoffs for 152 yards and 29 punts for 427 yards and two touchdowns, including one in Utah’s first blowout win over Oregon.
The junior returner led the Pac-12 in punt return yards and punt-return touchdowns. His average kickoff return yards led the Conference as well.
How Our Writers Voted
 | Dane Miller | Nick Bartlett | Stephen Vilardo | Mark Schmor | Steve Ritchie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OFF | Cameron Rising Utah | Dorian Thompson- Robinson UCLA | Rachaad White ASU | Travis Dye Oregon | Cameron Rising Utah |
| DEF | Devin Lloyd Utah | Devin Lloyd Utah | Devin Lloyd Utah | Devin Lloyd Utah | Devin Lloyd Utah |
| FR | Benjamin Yurosek Stanford | Noah Sewell Oregon | Noah Sewell Oregon | Noah Sewell Oregon | Noah Sewell Oregon |
| ST | Dean Janikowski WSU | Britain Covey Utah | Britain Covey Utah | Britain Covey Utah | Kyle Philips UCLA |
| COY | Kyle Whittingham Utah | Kyle Whittingham Utah | Kyle Whittingham Utah | Kyle Whittingham Utah | Kyle Whittingham Utah |
Compiled List of SportsPac12 Players of the Week
| Offensive | Defensive | Freshman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Zach Charbonnet UCLA | Devin Lloyd Utah | Justin Flowe Oregon |
| Week 2 | CJ Verdell Oregon | Verone McKinley Oregon | Anthony Gould Oregon State |
| Week 3 | Drake London USC | Brendan Radley-Hiles Washington | Jaxson Dart USC |
| Week 4 | DTR UCLA | Karene Reid Utah | De'Zhaun Stribling WSU |
| Week 5 | Jayden Daniels ASU | Avery Roberts OSU | Tanner McKee Stanford |
| Week 6 | Jayden de Laura WSU | Tyler Johnson ASU | Devaughn Vele Utah |
| Week 7 | Travis Dye Oregon | Devin Lloyd Utah | Noah Sewell Oregon |
| Week 8 | B.J. Baylor Oregon State | Kayvon Thibodeaux Oregon | Noah Sewell Oregon |
| Week 9 | Tavion Thomas Utah | Nephi Sewell Utah | Carson Bruener Washington |
| Week 10 | Travis Dye Oregon | Devin Lloyd Utah | Brendon Lewis Colorado |
| Week 11 | Rachaad White Arizona State | Carson Bruener Washington | Will Plummer Arizona |
| Week 12 | Dorian Thompson- Robinson UCLA | Jahad Woods Washington St. | Cole Bishop Utah |
| Week 13 | Anthony Brown Oregon | Jack Jones ASU | Jaxson Dart USC |
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