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2022 SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 Football Teams

The best coach and players in the Conference, three teams deep, as chosen by our senior writers

Posted on July 26, 2022


  By Staff, SuperWest Sports

Pac-12For the third-straight year, we present our all-Pac-12 teams, as voted on by our Senior Writers: Dane Miller, Jack Follman, Stephen Vilardo, Nick Bartlett, and Steve Ritchie.

Selections are based on projections of how players will perform this year, without regard for how their respective teams may fare in the upcoming season.

We began the process by choosing all-region teams over the last three weeks, with Jack Follman’s All-Northwest Selections, Stephen Vilardo’s All-California Selections, and Dane Miller’s All-Southwest/Mountain Selections.

Our writers then ranked players from these First-Team All-Region teams to arrive at the all-Pac-12 teams below. (A table showing how they voted appears below each section.)

First-Team ties were broken on the basis of points and a preponderance of higher-team votes; Second and Third team ties were added as additional selections.

Utah led all programs with 13 combined First Team, Second Team, and Third Team selections, as well as Annual Awards, followed by USC with 12. Oregon State was close behind with 10.

Utah logged the most First-Team picks with five, and Oregon had four. Utah and OSU tied for five Second-Team selections each.

Of the First-Team players 11 were unanimous selections:

• Tavion Thomas, Utah
• Jordan Addison, USC
• Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
• Braeden Daniels, Utah
• T.J. Bass, Oregon
• Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
• Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
• Noah Sewell, Oregon
• Clark Phillips III, Utah
• Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford
• Kyle Ostendorp, Arizona

You’ll find a breakdown of players by program for all teams and awards at the bottom of the page.

Preseason selections are speculative at best, especially when it comes to true freshmen, who have yet to play a down of college football.

Of course, absolute objectivity is never possible, as each writer brings a unique perspective to the selection process.

Some overlooked players will find motivation in not discovering their names listed below, and we look forward to rectifying whatever oversights, omissions, or misjudgments we may have made in the preseason with our postseason selections.


SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 Annual Awards
Lincoln Riley | Associated Press

Coach of the Year: Lincoln Riley, USC
The expectations are for an immediate reversal of fortunes in Los Angeles for the Trojans.

Riley has a roster loaded with playmakers, some of whom were inherited and some that he brought in as transfers. He amassed a 55-10 record in five seasons at Oklahoma and the turnaround should begin in Year One.

Utah’s Cameron Rising | Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Offensive Player of the Year: Cameron Rising, Quarterback, Utah
Arguably short-shifted in the Pac-12’s Offensive Player of the Year award for the 2021 season, Cameron Rising is far and away the most valuable player in the region.

His ability to make plays with his legs changed the dynamic of Utah’s season, helping to engineer the program’s first ever Rose Bowl appearance.

Rising returns to lead a Ute offense that arguably has the top offensive line and running back combination in the league.

Noah Sewell | Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Defensive Player of the Year: Noah Sewell, Linebacker, Oregon
Easy choice. Sewell should rack up serious honors in his third year of college football. He will likely be in contention to be the best player in the Pac-12 at any position in 2022.

Damien Martinez | Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

Off Freshman of the Year: Damien Martinez, Running Back, OSU
There’s a lot of talk about the 230-pound freshman who enrolled early being Oregon State’s starter. Martinez could be one of the best running backs in the Conference if that happens, especially with how well the Beavers have run the ball in recent years.

Even if he’s not the starter, there’s enough buzz to think he should be a really outstanding freshman.

Justin Flowe | Getty Images via Ducks Wire

Defensive Freshman of the Year: Justin Flowe, Linebacker, Oregon
Flowe is one of the highest-rated recruits playing in the Conference and he should show it if he can get his first healthy season in.

He showed some of his playmaking and hitting ability in the tiny bit he played last year. He could have a phenomenal year paired at linebacker with Noah Sewell.


How our Writers Voted on tbe Annual Honors

AwardDane
Miller
Jack
Follman
Stephen
Vilardo
Nick
Bartlett
Steve
Ritchie
Coach of the YearKyle
Whittingham,
Utah
Kyle
Whittingham,
Utah
Lincoln
Riley,
USC
Lincoln
Riley,
USC
Lincoln
Riley,
USC
Offensive POYCameron
Rising,
Utah
Caleb
Williams,
USC
Caleb
Williams,
USC
Cameron
Rising,
Utah
Cameron
Rising,
Utah
Defensive POYClark
Phillips III,
Utah
Noah
Sewell,
Oregon
Noah
Sewell,
Oregon
Noah
Sewell,
Oregon
Noah
Sewell,
Oregon
Freshman OPOYDamien
Martinez,
OSU
Damien
Martinez,
OSU
Damien
Martinez,
OSU
Damien
Martinez,
Cal
J. Michael
Sturdivant,
Cal
Freshman DPOYJustin
Flowe,
Oregon
Justin
Flowe,
Oregon
Domani
Jackson,
USC
Justin
Flowe,
Oregon
Justin
Flowe,
Oregon

SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 First-Team Offense

QB: Cameron Rising, Utah:

The leader of the Utah roster, Rising looks to improve on his 20-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio from last year. He completed 63.8 percent of his passes in 2021, while averaging 6.7 yards per carry on 74 rushing attempts.

Rising scored six times on the ground and was sixth overall in the nation in QBR.

Thomas

RB: Tavion Thomas, Utah:

Another Ute who was questionably passed over in the Conference’s 2021 Offensive Player of the Year award, Thomas is arguably the top running back in the entire Pac-12.

He enters the new season after posting 21 touchdowns in his first year in Salt Lake City, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry on a team that featured three RBs.

Thomas figures to take on a greater share of the carries this year.

RB: Zach Charbonnet, UCLA:

Charbonnet has the size to run through people and the quickness to make them miss. Last season he averaged 5.6 yards per carry while rushing for 1,137 yards and 13 TDs for the Bruins.

Not only is Charbonnet the best back among the four California schools and in the Pac-12, but he may also be the best back in America. Look for him to be a Doak Walker finalist this December.

WR: Jordan Addison, USC:

Addison is another transfer for the Trojans, and the 2021 Beltnikoff winner should be a clear-cut favorite to repeat.

In his sophomore season at Pitt, he caught 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 TDs—the second most in a single season in ACC history, and tied for the most in the nation.

Cowing

WR: Jacob Cowing, Arizona:

The UTEP transfer comes to Arizona after posting 1,354 yards receiving and eight total touchdowns in 2021. As the obvious go-to threat on the Wildcat roster, Cowing should command the ball game-in and game-out.

And with the returning Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Jayden de Laura, to throw him the ball, the sophomore figures to be among the Conference’s top wideouts.

TE: Brant Kuithe, Utah:

One of the top tight ends in all of College Football, Kuithe returns to SLC for his senior season. A three-time Second-Team All Pac-12 TE, this is probably the year he breaks through to the First Team.

Kuithe’s 129 career receptions are the most by a Utah tight end since 1996 and his consistent presence in the passing game is vital to UU’s offense.

OL: Andrew Vorhees, USC:

Vorhees split time at guard and tackle last year while earning Third-Team All-American honors from the AP while also being named USC Offensive Lineman of the Year.

He allowed just one sack last season and was the only player in the nation to earn 90+ grades from Pro Football Focus in both run and pass blocking.

OL: Jaxson Kirkland, Washington:

Kirkland, a five-year starter, is back for an incredible sixth year. And he’s been an All-Conference player pretty much every season he has played.

It will interesting to see if he stays at left tackle or if he moves to one of the other positions he has played.

Daniels

OL: Braeden Daniels, Utah:

Projected as a Second or Third Round draft pick, Daniels has 29 career starts to lean on in his junior season. Able to play multiple positions, he started all 14 games last year and earned Pac-12 All Conference Second Team honors.

As one of the anchors of the Utah O-Line, Daniels is expected to play a pivotal role in the Utes’ 2022 campaign.

OL: T.J. Bass, Oregon:Bass looks to be the Conference’s best offensive lineman going into 2022.

He hauled in All-Conference honors in 2021, playing multiple positions on the line and he developed phenomenally under Mario Cristobal. He’s a veteran leader who is one of the best run-blockers in the nation.

OL: Alex Forsyth, Oregon:

He battled injuries a lot in 2021 and still was one of the best offensive linemen in the Conference.

He’s a strong veteran leader in the middle and keys the Duck run game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he challenges to be the best lineman in the Conference if he’s fully healthy.


How our Writers Voted for First-Team Offense

PositionDane
Miller
Jack
Follman
Stepen
Vilardo
Nick
Bartlett
Steve
Ritchie
QBCameron
Rising,
Utah
Caleb
Williams,
USC
Caleb
Williams,
USC
Cameron
Rising,
Utah
Cameron
Rising,
Utah
RBTavion
Thomas,
Utah
Tavion
Thomas,
Utah
Tavion
Thomas,
Utah
Tavion
Thomas,
Utah
Tavion
Thomas,
Utah
RBZach
Charbonnet,
UCLA
Travis
Dye,
USC
Zach
Charbonnet,
UCLA
Zach
Charbonnet,
UCLA
Travis
Dye,
USC
WRJordan
Addison,
USC
Jordan
Addison,
USC
Jordan
Addison,
USC
Jordan
Addison,
USC
Jordan
Addison,
USC
WRJacob
Cowing,
Arizona
Jake
Bobo,
UCLA
De'Zhaun
Stribling,
WSU
De'Zhaun
Stribling,
WSU
Jacob
Cowing,
Arizona
TEBrant
Kuithe,
Utah
Brant
Kuithe,
Utah
Benjamin
Yurosek,
Stanford
Brant
Kuithe,
Utah
Luke
Musgrave,
OSU
OLAndrew
Vorhees,
USC
Joshua
Gray,
OSU
Andrew
Vorhees,
USC
Andrew
Vorhees,
USC
Joshua
Gray,
OSU
OLJaxson
Kirkland,
UW
Jaxson
Kirkland,
UW
Jaxson
Kirkland,
UW
Jaxson
Kirkland,
UW
Jaxson
Kirkland,
UW
OLBraeden
Daniels,
Utah
Braeden
Daniels,
Utah
Braeden
Daniels,
Utah
Braeden
Daniels,
Utah
Braeden
Daniels,
Utah
OLT.J.
Bass,
Oregon
T.J.
Bass,
Oregon
T.J.
Bass,
Oregon
T.J.
Bass,
Oregon
T.J.
Bass,
Oregon
OLAlex
Forsyth,
Oregon
Sataoa
Laumea,
Utah
Alex
Forsyth,
Oregon
Alex
Forsyth,
Oregon
Alex
Forsyth,
Oregon

SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 First-Team Defense

DL: Brandon Dorlus, Oregon:

I love Dorlus. I actually thought he was their most valuable defensive lineman last year and his ability to defend the run and rush the passer makes him a super rare player.

He’s a darkhorse candidate to be Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year because he just makes such a difference up front.

Tuipulotu

DL: Tuli Tuipulotu, USC:

As a sophomore in 2021, Tuipulotu was named USC’s Defensive Lineman of the year, racking up 7.5 TFL and leading the team with 5.5 sacks.

Tuipilotu is versatile for a defensive tackle and was able to alter the passing game even without getting to the QB, collecting two pass deflections. He also forced a pair of fumbles, returning one for a TD. He has 70 tackles in 18 career games.

DL: Ron Stone Jr., Washington State:  

A balanced edge player who can chase the passer and hold up against the run. He blew up in 2021 and took home All-Pac-12 honors. I expect him to be one of the best edge players in the Conference this year.

DL: Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington:

He’s listed as a linebacker a lot but he really plays like a hand-in-the-ground defensive lineman to me.

If he can get back to his 2020 form when he was scary dominant in three games, the sky is the limit for him. He’s probably the Conference’s best pure pass rusher.

LB: Noah Sewell, Oregon:

No surprise here. He’s the odds-on favorite to win Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. One of the best linebackers the Conference has ever seen in his ability to attack the line of scrimmage.

Sirmon

LB: Jackson Sirmon, Cal:

For his senior year, Sirmon joins Cal, where his father Peter is the defensive coordinator, after a career at Washington.

He recorded a career-high 92 tackles with the Huskies last season while forcing a fumble, forcing a safety, and intercepting the first pass of his career.

LB: Omar Speights, Oregon State:

He’s been a force for the Beavers for years now with more than 200 tackles in his career.

He’s great at making plays in the backfield and now is a veteran for their defense. He’ll step up as their best defensive player with Avery Roberts graduated.

DB: Clark Phillips III, Utah:

One of the top corners in the nation, Phillips has started every game of his career in Salt Lake City. With a Pick Six in both his first and second season, the streak probably continues in 2022.

Phillips posted 63 tackles last year, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. His 13 passes defended led the Pac-12.

Kelly

DB: Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford:

Stanford had several issues last season, but Kelly was a definite bright spot for the Cardinal. He led the Pac-12 and ranked 15th in the nation last season with 1.09 passes defended per game.

On pass coverage, he held quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 87.8. For comparison’s sake, the lowest team passer in the nation last season belonged to UConn with a 92.3.

DB: Daniel Scott, Cal:

Scott had a career year last season for the Bears and there is no reason to believe he will not improve in 2022. He averaged a team-high 6.8 tackles per game last year while intercepting three passes and breaking up another two.

He was able to get to the QB from his Safety spot, registering 4.5 TFL a sack and two QB hurries. He opens his final campaign in Berkeley on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list.

DB: Jaydon Grant, Oregon State:

He’s made a ton of plays in his career as a Beaver and returns as one of the Conference’s best defensive backs in a rebuilding year for DBs in the Pac-12.

He has picked off six passes in his career and is strong against the pass and the run. He’s versatile and can play all over the secondary.


How our Writers Voted for First-Team Defense

PositionDane
Miller
Jack
Follman
Stephen
Vilardo
Nick
Bartlett
Steve
Ritchie
DLTuli
Tuipulotu,
USC
Brandon
Dorlus,
Oregon
Ron
Stone Jr.,
WSU
Zion
Tupuola-Fetui,
UW
Tuli
Tuipulotu,
USC
DLBrandon
Dorlus,
Oregon
Zion
Tupuola-Fetui,
UW
Tuli
Tuipulotu,
USC
Tuli
Tuipulotu,
USC
Brandon
Dorlus,
Oregon
DLJunior
Tafuna,
Utah
Tuli
Tuipulotu,
USC
Brandon
Dorlus,
Oregon
Ron
Stone Jr.,
WSU
Junior
Tafuna,
Utah
DLRon
Stone Jr.,
WSU
Popo
Aumavae,
Oregon
Zion
Tupuola-Fetui,
UW
Brandon
Dorlus,
Oregon
Ron
Stone Jr.,
WSU
LBNoah
Sewell,
Oregon
Noah
Sewell,
Oregon
Noah
Sewell,
Oregon
Noah
Sewell,
Oregon
Noah
Sewell,
Oregon
LBJackson
Sirmon,
Cal
Edefuan
Ulofoshio,
UW
Omar
Speights,
OSU
Jackson
Sirmon,
Cal
Omar
Speights,
OSU
LBMohamoud
Diabate,
Utah
Omar
Speights,
OSU
Jackson
Sirmon,
Cal
Edefuan
Ulofoshio,
UW
Jackson
Sirmon,
Cal
DBClark
Phillips III,
Utah
Clark
Phillips III,
Utah
Kyu Blu
Kelly,
Stanford
Kyu Blu
Kelly,
Stanford
Clark
Phillips III,
Utah
DBKyu Blu
Kelly,
Stanford
Kyu Blu
Kelly,
Stanford
Clark
Phillips III,
Utah
Daniel
Scott,
Cal
Kyu Blu
Kelly,
Stanford
DBDaniel
Scott,
Cal
Daniel
Scott,
Cal
Rezjohn
Wright,
OSU
Clark
Phillips III,
Utah
Cole
Bishop,
Utah
DBCole
Bishop,
Utah
Jaydon
Grant,
OSU
Daniel
Scott,
Cal
Jaydon
Grant,
OSU
Jaydon
Grant,
OSU

SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 First-Team Special Teams

K: Dean Janikowski, Washington State:

He likely will be First-Team All-Pac-12. He was 14-17 in field goals last year and it will be interesting to see if he starts taking longer kicks.

Ostendorp

P: Kyle Ostendorp, Arizona:

One of the top punters in the nation, Ostendorp led the Pac-12 with 49.2 yards per punt. His ability to change field position was arguably the deciding factor in Arizona’s lone win of the 2021 season, keeping Cal at bay in a 10-3 victory.

Ostendorp notched 28 punts of more than 50 yards and his boot against BYU in the opener led to an eventual safety.

R: D.J. Taylor, ASU:

Arguably one of the top returners in the nation, Taylor was second in the Pac-12 with an average of 13.6 yards per punt return and 191 punt return yards. On kickoffs, his 525 return yards was third in the league and his 25 returns were second overall.

Able to change the game with a single play, Taylor is a dangerous weapon at Herm Edward’s disposal.

AP: Daniel Arias, Colorado:

Pure special teams players are often overlooked, but Arias is one of the best. He has forced 21 career fair catches, which is the second-most in Colorado history. Arias has 10 first-down-the-field interruptions, also the second-highest in CU history.

His numbers garnered him an All Pac-12 Honorable Mention as an AP/ST last season, although his role could primarily be at wide receiver this year.


How our Writers Voted for First-Team Special Teams

PositionDane
Miller
Jack
Follman
Stephen
Vilardo
Nick
Bartlett
Steve
Ritchie
KDario
Loghetto,
Cal
Dean
Janikowski,
WSU
Dean
Janikowski,
WSU
Dean
Janikowski,
WSU
Dean
Janikowski,
WSU
PKyle
Ostendorp,
Arizona
Kyle
Ostendorp,
Arizona
Kyle
Ostendorp,
Arizona
Kyle
Ostendorp,
Arizona
Kyle
Ostendorp,
Arizona
RD.J.
Taylor,
ASU
Kazmeir
Allen,
UCLA
D.J.
Taylor,
ASU
D.J.
Taylor,
ASU
Kazmeir
Allen,
UCLA
APDaniel
Arias,
Colorado
Daniel
Arias,
Colorado
Casey
Filkins,
Stanford
Casey
Filkins,
Stanford
Daniel
Arias,
Colorado

SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 Second-Team Offense

QB: Caleb Williams, USC
RB: Travis Dye, USC
RB: Byron Cardwell, Oregon
WR: De’Zhaun Stribling, Washington State
WR: Jake Bobo, UCLA
WR: Mario Williams, USC
TE: Benjamin Yurosek, Stanford
OL: Joshua Gray, Oregon State
OL: LaDarius Henderson, ASU
OL: Brandon Kipper, Oregon State
OL: Sataoa Laumea, Utah
OL: Brett Neilon, USC


SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 Second-Team Defense

DL: Junior Tafuna, Utah
DL: Kyon Barrs, Arizona
DL: Van Fillinger, Utah
DL: Popo Aumavae, Oregon
DL: Tuli Letuligasenoa, Washington
LB: Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
LB: Merlin Robertson, ASU
LB: Mohamoud Diabate, Utah
LB: Carson Bruener, Washington
DB: Armani Marsh, Washington State
DB: Cole Bishop, Utah
DB: Rezjohn Wright, Oregon State
DB: Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State


SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 Second-Team Special Teams

K: Cole Becker, Colorado
P: Luke Loecher, Oregon State
R: Kazmeir Allen, UCLA
AP: Casey Filkins, Stanford


SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 Third-Team Offense
QB: Cam Ward, Washington State
RB: Deshaun Fenwick, Oregon State
RB: Xazavian Valladay, ASU
RB: Damien Moore, Cal
WR: Devaughn Vele, Utah
WR: Jalen McMillan, Washington
WR: Michael Wilson, Stanford
TE: Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
TE: Dalton Kincaid, Utah
OL: Matthew Cindric, Cal
OL: Ben Coleman, Cal
OL: Casey Roddick, Colorado
OL: Branson Bragg, Stanford
OL: Ben Scott, ASU
OL: Henry Bainvalu, Washington
SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 Third-Team Defense
DL: Brett Johnson, Cal
DL: Korey Foreman, USC
DL: B.J. Green II, ASU
DL: Nick Figueroa, USC
DL: Brennan Jackson, Washington State
LB: Darius Muasau, UCLA
LB: Eric Gentry, USC
LB: Kyle Soelle, ASU
LB: Justin Flowe, Oregon
DB: Christian Roland-Wallace, Arizona
DB: Mekhi Blackmon, USC
DB: Kendall Williamson, Stanford
DB: Khoury Bethley, ASU
DB: Lu-Magia Hearns III, Cal

SuperWest Preseason All-Pac-12 Third-Team Special Teams

K: Dario Loghetto, Cal
P: Ryan Sanborn, Stanford
R: Giles Jackson, Washington
AP: Dominique Hampton, Washington


Breakdown of SuperWest All-Pac-12 Selections by Program

Pac-12
Team
Annual
Awards
First
Team
Second
Team
Third
Team
Team
Totals
Utah155213
USC134412
OSU125210
Oregon24219
ASU01258
Washington02338
Cal02068
Stanford01258
WSU02226
UCLA01214
Arizona02114
Colorado01113