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Coach of the Year: Kyle Whittingham, Utah

Fresh off his first career Rose Bowl appearance, Kyle Whittingham sets the standard in the Pac-12. The head coach has been in Salt Lake City for 18 seasons and holds a 144-70 record since 2004.

Known for developing players, Whittingham has another talented roster that should put the Utes in contention to win their second-straight Pac-12 title.

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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.

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Defensive Player of the Year: Clark Phillips III, Cornerback, Utah

Hands down one of the best corners in the nation, Clark Phillips III is the easy choice for the region’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Already generating noise as a potential First Round draft pick, the third-year player and one-time Ohio State commit enters the season looking to defend his Conference leading 13 passes defended in 2021.

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Offensive Freshman of the Year: Keyan Burnett, Tight End, Arizona

At 6-foot-5, 225-pounds, Keyan Burnett is poised to thrive in Jedd Fisch’s offense. Only a true freshman, the former USC commit looks the part.

His use in the red zone and across the middle of the field should set him apart from the other freshmen in the region, and may even garner him consideration for the Conference’s Offensive Freshman of the Year honor.

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Defensive Freshman of the Year: Lander Barton, Linebacker, Utah

There’s no secret about it: Utah needs a linebacker to step up. Enter four-star prospect Lander Barton.

The Utah-native is widely projected as an eventual NFL early-round draft pick and enters the program as the No. 7 linebacker in the nation, according to 247Sports’ Composite Ranking.

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All SW/Mountain Region 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.

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: Xazavian Valladay, ASU

Transferring to Tempe from Wyoming, Valladay promises to take advantage of Herm Edwards’ run-based offense. He rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Cowboys and snagged 23 catches for 233 yards.

Valladay shouldn’t miss a beat in the Pac-12 with Florida transfer quarterback Emory Jones likely to keep defenses preoccupied with his threat to run. The result should be plenty of space for Valladay to operate.

WR: Devaughn Vele, Utah

As the clear No. 1 wide receiver on the Utah roster, Vele has an opportunity to become an All-Conference player in his sophomore season. He started seven games last year and averaged 16.9 yards per catch.

With the speed to burn any corner opponents put on him, Vele might eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in 2022.

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: 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: Sataoa Laumea, Utah

Only a sophomore, Laumea has 18 career starts at right guard and is coming off a Pac-12 All Conference Honorable Mention season. Listed at 6-foot-4, 312-pounds, he is generating buzz as a potential NFL Draft pick.

With one of the top quarterbacks and running backs in the Pac-12 to protect, his play will go far in helping Utah return to the Pac-12 Championship Game.

OL: LaDarius Henderson, ASU

Able to play numerous positions along the line, Henderson is arguably the most versatile offensive lineman in the region.

At 6-foot-4, 310-pounds, the senior has plenty of starting experience and figures to contend for an All-Conference recognition.

As one of only two returning O-Line starters on the ASU roster, his experience will go far in boosting the Sun Devils’ season.

OL: Ben Scott, ASU

Expected to start at center, Scott has starting experience as a right tackle and should form part of ASU’s anchor up front. A native of Hawaii, the redshirt junior is listed at 6-foot-5, 305-pounds.

His command of the line could be vital to Arizona State’s entire offense in the 2022 campaign.

OL: Casey Roddick, Colorado

One of the top guards in the Pac-12, Roddick is the proven anchor of Colorado’s line. With starting experience and a new O-Line coach at the helm, he should contend for All-Conference honors by the end of the year.

Although the CU line has plenty of questions, Roddick is a rock.

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All SW/Mountain Region First-Team Defense

DL: Kyon Barrs, Arizona

Leading the Wildcats with five sacks in 2021, Barrs is positioned to thrive under new defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen.

Earning All Pac-12 Second Team honors last year, his sack total was eighth in the league.

As the leader of one of the more under-rated D-Lines in the Conference, Barrs could burst through as one of the top defensive linemen in the Pac-12.

DL: B.J. Green II, ASU

Arguably overlooked by most of the College Football media, Green is positioned to explode on the scene in 2022.

As a true freshman walk-on, he led Arizona State in sacks to become just the fourth true freshman Sun Devil to lead the team in the category since 1978. Don’t be surprised if Green becomes one of the top defensive linemen in the Pac-12 this season.

DL: Junior Tafuna, Utah

Only a sophomore, Tafuna already has 11 starts and won the Pac-12’s Freshman Defensive Player of the Year award last season.

He posted 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in his first season. Numbers like those will get you noticed, and Tafuna promises to have an even stronger campaign in 2022.

DL: Van Fillinger, Utah

Another young Utah defensive lineman, Fillinger has 13 starts in 19 career games. With 9.5 tackles for loss in 2021, his acumen for penetration is arguably unmatched in the region.

Fillinger led all Pac-12 Freshmen last year in sacks, producing 5.5 along with four quarterback hurries. With a full season under his belt, the sky appears to be the limit for the sophomore.

LB: Kyle Soelle, ASU

Returning for his fifth season, Soelle led Arizona State in tackles last year with 88. As one of the most experienced linebackers in the Pac-12, his leadership on and off the field will be key to the Sun Devils’ season.

Every team needs a stalwart linebacker to lead the way, and Soelle is “That Guy.”

LB: Mohamoud Diabate, Utah

A transfer from Florida, Diabate has 17 career starts to his name and comes to Salt Lake City as the clear No. 1 linebacker. With 37 games of experience in the SEC, the senior should hit the ground running under Morgan Scalley’s system.

His move to Utah was a recruiting coup at a position of substantial need after the departures of Devin Lloyd and Nephi Sewell.

LB: Merlin Robertson, ASU

Another experienced linebacker on the Sun Devil roster, Robertson enters his fifth year in the desert. With 237 career tackles, his return for one last round might prove to be the difference between ASU making or missing a bowl game.

Able to affect the passing game just as much as the ground attack, Robertson rarely misses tackles and could end up as a First Team All-Conference selection.

DB: Christian Roland-Wallace, Arizona

Arguably under-rated by the media, Roland-Wallace is one of the best corners in the league. He started all 12 games last season and posted 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and an interception.

With 25 career starts over his career, his experience and pure talent should garner him more national attention than he currently receives.

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.

DB: Khoury Bethley, ASU

Transferring to Arizona State from Hawaii, Bethley brings with him All-Mountain West First Team honors. His five interceptions in 2021 ranked fourth nationally, and he produced 100 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks.

Numbers like those are unheard of for a defensive back, and Bethley promises to be among the top DB’s in the Pac-12.

DB: Cole Bishop, Utah

Somewhat overlooked during his true freshman season, Bishop held the fort down at safety. Starting the last six games of the year, he produced 54 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five pass break ups, and three sacks.

Those are glorious numbers for a true freshman and indicate a bright NFL future.

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All SW/Mountain Region First-Team Special Teams

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.

K: Cole Becker, Colorado

As a true freshman, Becker hit a 56-yarder and was a perfect 25-for-25 on his extra point attempts. He went 3-of-4 from kicks of 50 yards or longer, and was 9-for-10 from tries within 40 yards.

Those are spectacular numbers for a first-year kicker and should garner him more attention in his sophomore season.

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.

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Second-Team Offense

QB: Jayden de Laura, Arizona
RB: Alex Fontenot, Colorado
RB: Micah Bernard, Utah
WR: R.J. Sneed, Colorado
WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
TE: Dalton Kincaid, Utah
OL: Michael Mokofisi, Utah
OL: Chris Martinez, ASU
OL: Jaren Kump, Utah
OL: Keaton Bills, Utah
OL: Jordan Morgan, Arizona

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Second-Team Defense

DL: Jalen Sami, Colorado
DL: Nesta Jade Silvera, ASU
DL: Anthonie Cooper, ASU
DL: Jalen Harris, Arizona
LB: Karene Reid, Utah
LB: Josh Chandler-Semedo, Colorado
LB: Quinn Perry, Colorado
DB: Christian Young, Arizona
DB: Isaiah Lewis, Colorado
DB: JaTravis Broughton, Utah
DB: Jaxen Turner, Arizona