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I love to hand out all-conference awards, so let’s do two teams of the Pac-12’s best freshmen…
First Team
Offense
QB Sam Darnold USC - A player who could definitely win the Heisman before his career is over. His quick development turned around USC’s season.
RB James Williams Washington State - A key part of the surprisingly dangerous Washington State running back stable.
RB Artavis Pierce Oregon State - Finished the season with a nice chunk of yards and some touchdowns.
WR Demtris Robertson Cal - One of the Pac-12’s best receivers regardless of class.
WR N’Keal Harry Arizona State - One of those scary players you see who you know is going to turn into a star as soon as next year.
TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe USC - The Florida transfer came on late in the season and really helped USC beat Washington.
OL Gus Lavaka Oregon State - He made honorable mention All-Pac-12 as a freshman on the offensive line. Not easy to do that.
OL Jake Hanson Oregon - Was thrown into the fire as Oregon’s center and made the most of it.
OL Calvin Throckmorton Oregon - Another Oregon freshman starter who stepped up as the season went on.
OL Tim Lynott Colorado - One of Colorado’s best recent recruits lived up to his billing as a freshman.
OL Nick Harris Washington - Whenever you saw a reply of a nice Washington run on TV, this guy was keying it as a true freshman a lot of the time.
Defense
DL Elu Aydon Oregon State - The huge 6’3 325 presence was a big part of helping improving Oregon State’s defense this year.
DL Justin Belknap Arizona - Started as a freshman all season and held his own a lot of the time.
DL Gary Baker Oregon - Just another freshman thrown into the fire up front at Oregon who was a key player all season.
DL Rick Wade UCLA - Carved his way into a lot of playing time on a very good veteran defense.
LB Troy Dye Oregon - My choice for Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
LB D.J. Beavers Washington - Stepped in for Azeem Victor when he got hurt and the play didn’t fall off that much.
LB Andrzej Hughes-Murray Oregon State - Already one of the biggest and most-athletic linebackers in the conference.
DB Taylor Rapp Washington - The official Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. The next great Husky safety.
DB Xavier Crawford Oregon State - Earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 as a freshman starter.
DB Jalen Thompson Washington State - Almost matched the play of star safety teammate Shalom Luani.
DB Brenden Schooler Oregon - Racked up tackles for the Oregon defense all season.
Special Teams
K JJ Molson UCLA
P Matt Aragon Arizona
R Anthony Julmisse Colorado
2nd Team
Offense
QB Justin Herbert Oregon
RB Zack Moss Utah
RB JJ Taylor Arizona
WR Melquise Stovall Cal
WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside Stanford
TE Caleb Wilson UCLA
OL Shane Lemeiux Oregon
OL Brady Aiello Oregon
OL Nathan Eldridge Arizona
OL Nate Herbig Stanford
OL Andrew James UCLA
Defense
DL Benning Potoa’e Washington
DL Dylan Jackson Stanford
DL Wayne Tei-Kirby Oregon
DL George Lea Arizona State
LB Sean Barton Stanford
LB Nnamdi Oguayo Washington state
LB Casey Toohill Stanford
DB Jaylinn Hawkins Cal
DB Tristan Cooper Arizona
DB Jamel Cook USC
DB Austin Joyner Washington
Special Teams
K Davis Price Colorado
R Demetris Robertson Cal