Jack Follman's 2022-23 Pac-12 All-NFL Team

Jack Follman’s 2022-23 Pac-12 All-NFL Team

There’s been a slight changing of the guard as some veterans age out and new stars emerge

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Posted on February 17, 2023


  By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports

One of my favorite things to do at the end of each NFL season is to compile some all-star teams comprised of the best Pac-12 alumni pros.

Recently, there’s been a slight changing of the guard as some veterans age out and new stars emerge.

How much players actually played is put into consideration—for example, how Christian McCaffrey wasn’t on the teams in previous seasons, since he barely played, due to injuries.

Thankfully, there weren’t many significant injuries to Pac-12 alums this season.

Some of the most interesting developments reflect the aging of one generation of players and the uprising of the next.

For example, Justin Herbert overtaking Aaron Rodgers as the Conference’s best alum quarterback, and the insane depth at safety with legit stars in Talanoa Hufanga, Budda Baker, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Williams, and Jevon Holland.

The lack of running backs and tight ends is a disappointment, though.

Counting up the numbers is super interesting as well as UCLA leads the way with four first-team members and nine overall.

USC and Washington are tied for second with seven overall and both having three first-team selections.

Cal used to dominate these teams but has dwindled to just three selections and only one First-Team player. Arizona is the only school without a selection.

Here are my choices for this past season, two teams deep.

First Team Offense

Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Reuters

QB Justin Herbert, Chargers (Oregon) – Herbert overtook Aaron Rodgers as the QB flag-bearer of Pac-12 alums this year.

He had another great season and led the Chargers to the playoffs.

RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco (Stanford) – A healthy McCaffrey as a 49er was exactly what we hoped McCaffrey could be.

He got right back to being one of the best players in the league.

RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay (Arizona State) – The rookie and former Sun Devil had a great first season, rushing for nearly 500 yards and a touchdown with nearly 300 yards receiving and two scores.

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit (USC) – He progressed in his second season as a pro, cracking the 1,000-yard mark.

He had more than 100 receptions and six touchdowns and is one of the best young receivers in the league.

WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco (Arizona State) – Another receiver who took a big step forward with 84 receptions and more than 1,000 yards in 2022.

He also scored eight touchdowns and is one of the best playmakers for one of the best teams in the league.

TE Dalton Schultz, Dallas (Stanford) – The Stanford alum was the best former Pac-12 tight end in the league this year, finishing with more than 500 yards and scoring five touchdowns.

He was particularly great in the playoffs, scoring three touchdowns.

OL Penei Sewell, Detroit (Oregon) – The Oregon legend has turned himself into the Pac-12 best alum in the league on the offensive line in just his second season.

He’s a key part of an improving Lions team.

OL Kolton Miller, Las Vegas (UCLA) – Had one of his best seasons in the league thus far—a stalwart for the Raiders.

OL Kaleb McGary, Atlanta (Washington) – He had his best season as a pro thus far—as one of the most improved players in the league.

OL Isaac Seumalo, Philadelphia (Oregon State) – A starter for the best offensive line in the league and a key cog in their success.

OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets (USC) – He continued to get better in his second season in the league.

First Team Defense

Tampa Bay Buccaneers DL Vita Vea | Bucs Wire-USA TODAY Sports

DL DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis (Oregon) – Another great season for the veteran and one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL.

He finished with 74 tackles and eight sacks.

DL Vita Vea, Tampa Bay (Washington) – Vea was healthy this year and had a great season.

He had a career-high 6.5 sacks and helped the Buccaneers to the playoffs.

DL Kenny Clark, Green Bay (UCLA) – Just another standout season for the former Bruin as one of the league’s best DTs—more than 50 tackles and four sacks in 2022.

DL Cam Jordan, New Orleans (Cal) – One of the Pac-12 best veterans in the league just won’t quit.

He finished 2022 with 66 tackles and 8.5 sacks.

LB Bobby Okereke, Indianapolis (Stanford) – Another great season for Okereke.

He had more than 150 tackles and got himself on the All-Pro radar.

LB Eric Kendricks, Minnesota (UCLA) – Another big-time veteran. Nearly 150 tackles and helped lead the Vikings into the playoffs.

LB Frankie Luvu, Carolina (Washington State) – A great story here—the undrafted former Coug had a big season in 2022. He had 111 tackles and seven sacks this season.

DB Jordan Poyer, Buffalo (Oregon State) – One of the best defensive backs in the league.

Poyer headlines an outstanding group of Pac-12 alums playing safety in the league right now.

DB Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco (USC) – Hufanga has exploded into a true star at safety in the league.

He was crucial in pushing the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game.

DB Budda Baker, Arizona (Washington) – The former Husky continues to chug along as one of the best safeties in the game. He’s a perennial Pro Bowler now.

DB Marcus Williams, Baltimore (Utah) – Williams gets the slightest edge for the final DB spot for a heated group for Pac-12 alums over Jevon Holland.

He had another incredible season and finished with four seasons while helping get the Ravens into the playoffs.

First Team Special Teams

Carolina Panthers P Johnny Hekker | Eakin Howard/Getty Images

K Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston (UCLA) – Made 29 of 31 field goals and didn’t miss an extra point.

P Johnny Hekker, Carolina (Oregon State) – Averaged 48.5 yards per punt this season.

Second Team Offense

QB Jared Goff, Detroit (Cal)
RB Zack Moss, Indianapolis (Utah)
RB Eno Benjamin, New Orleans (Arizona State)
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City (USC)
WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis (USC)
TE Zach Ertz, Arizona (Stanford)
OL David Bakhtiari, Green Bay (Colorado)
OL Walker Little, Jacksonville (Stanford)
OL Conor McDermott, New England (UCLA)
OL Andre James, Las Vegas (UCLA)
OL Scott Quessenberry, Houston (UCLA)

Second Team Defense

DL Leonard Williams, Giants (USC)
DL Greg Gaines, Rams (Washington)
DL Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas (UCLA)
DL Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay (Washington)
LB Shaq Thompson, Carolina (Washington)
LB Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville (Utah)
LB Myles Jack, Pittsburgh (UCLA)
DB Jevon Holland, Miami (Oregon)
DB Chidobe Awuzie, Cincinnati (Colorado)
DB Trent McDuffie, Kansas City (Washington)
DB Adoree’ Jackson, Giants (USC)