2016 Pacific Takes Pac-12 All-Freshman Team: Oregon and Oregon State loaded with freshman talent

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