2017 preseason Pacific Takes All-Pac-12 teams: four teams of Pac-12 stars

First Team

Offense

QB Sam Darnold So. USC

Anyone who watched the Rose Bowl should see why Darnold gets the impressive nod over talents like Browning, Falk and Rosen. Honestly, maybe we should just put all four on first-team.

RB Phillip Lindsay Sr. Colorado

Gaskin and Jones seem like the popular choice, but I take Lindsay. He has the highest returning combined rushing/receiving yardage and touchdowns of any backs. Plus, he is the heart and soul of Colorado’s offense.

RB Myles Gaskin Jr. Washington

The definition of reliable, consistent and explosive. He should have another year with more than 1,200 yards.

WR Dante Pettis Sr. Washington

Pettis scored 18 touchdowns in 2016. He can beat defenders deep for big plays and also make the crucial catch on third and long.

WR Shay Fields Sr. Colorado

Fields had nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016 and is prone for putting together big games.

TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe So. USC

He really came on later in the season and had his biggest game in USC’s win at Washington.

OL Coleman Shelton Sr. Washington

A multi-year starter for the Huskies who holds it down in the middle and keys their run game and pass protection.

OL Trey Adams Jr. Washington

The 6’8 320 standout is probably the most talented offensive lineman in the conference. He has legit first round potential in 2018.

OL Cody O’Connell Sr. Washington State

A returning All-American who is scary big at 6’8 370 and a perfect pass protector.

OL Scott Quessenberry Sr. UCLA

A returning All-Pac-12 player. One of the best centers in the nation and a great pass protector.

OL Jeromy Irwin Sr. Colorado

A 2016 All-Pac-12 decision. A great edge blocker who is equally skilled in run and pass blocking.

Defense

DL Vita Vea Jr. Washington

Watch this guy in the Peach Bowl and you will know why the 6’5 340-pound beast might be on the brink of a first-team All-American season.

DL Greg Gaines Jr. Washington

Gaines is right there with Vea. He is a 6’2 320 fire plug who causes chaos up front and shuts down the run game.

DL Hercules Mata’afa Jr. Washington State

The best returning pass rusher in the conference. He is relentless when getting into the backfield.

DL JoJo Wicker Jr. Arizona State

A bright spot on Arizona State’s defense. Versatile against the run and pass and an underrated talent.

LB Azeem Victor Sr. Washington

Was the best defensive player in the conference last year. Will pick right back up as long as he is healthy.

LB Cameron Smith Jr. USC

USC’s best defensive player. He has size, athleticism and power. He can do it all and is a potential first rounder in 2018.

LB Kenny Young Sr. UCLA

Racked up tackles and tackles for-loss in 2016 as the other great UCLA LB along with Jayon Brown. He is the Bruins’ defensive leader now.

DB Jaleel Wadood Sr. UCLA

Another underrated player. Wadood is great in pass coverage with his speed and can also get up and defend the run.

DB Taylor Rapp So. Washington

Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and Pac-12 Championship Game MVP. Ready to follow in the footsteps of Washington’s departing secondary stars.

DB Iman Marshall Jr. USC

The 6’2 Marshall has been good thus far in his career, but he seems ready to break out into the first-round performer and All-American he can be.

DB Quenton Meeks Jr. Stanford.

Another 6’2 corner who seems ready to come full-circle. Watch for him to turn into the conference’s best cover corner.

Special Teams

K Matt Anderson Sr. Cal

The best returning kicker based on field goal percentage.

P Mitch Wishnowsky Jr. Utah

The nation’s best punter.

R Dante Pettis Sr. Washington

Pettis took two punts back for scores in 2016, including a game winner against Utah.

Second Team

Offense

QB Jake Browning Jr. Washington

Browning had one of the best seasons in Pac-12 history in 2016, but he is second team because Darnold is out of this world.

RB Ronald Jones Jr. USC

Jones might be the scariest of any of the Pac-12 backs with his speed, quickness and size. 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns should be no problem.

RB Royce Freeman Sr. Oregon

Freeman is the conference’s most-proven and most-productive back even with a tough 2016. No other back in the Pac-12 has his skills.

WR Demitris Robertson So. Cal

Underrated player who had a big freshman year with 50 receptions for more than 750 yards and seven touchdowns.

WR Tavares Martin Jr. Jr. Washington State

More than 60 catches, more than 700 yards and seven TDs as Luke Falk’s third option. Should have even more as number one.

TE Dalton Schultz Sr. Stanford

Schultz has yet to blow up the way many have expected him to. This could be the year.

OL Viane Talamaivao Sr. USC

Expect Tala to step up with Banner, Wheeler and Mama off to the NFL.

OL Toa Lobendahn Jr. USC

He is a huge talent with proven skills if he can stay healthy.

OL Gerrad Kough Sr. Colorado

An All-Pac-12 selection in 2016. A senior leader on a Colorado line which should be very, very good.

OL Cole Madison Sr. Washington State

Another superb pass protector for Luke Falk. He is a great blocker on the edge.

OL Kaleb McGary Jr. Washington

The 6’7 tackle came into his own in 2016. Could be the best right tackle in the conference.

Defense

DL Lowell Lotulelei Sr. Utah

Had a quiet 2016, but is still a massive talent. Could easily be the best defensive lineman in the conference.

DL Kylie Fitts Sr. Utah

Gets another senior year after missing 2016. Could easily be the conference’s best pass rusher.

DL Porter Gustin Jr. USC

Scary package of skills and a pure pass rusher with amazing size. You can call him a linebacker or a defensive end, either way he is really good.

DL Rasheem Green Jr. USC

Has the size and strength to shut down the run and the athleticism to get after the passer. A massive talent.

LB Koron Crump Sr. Arizona State

Great blitzer who makes plays in the backfield. Just your typical Todd Graham linebacker.

LB Peyton Pelleur Sr. Washington State

One of the best tacklers in the Pac-12. He has been a rock for the Cougars for years.

LB Keishawn Bierria Sr. Washington

Victor’s bash brother is deadly on the edge and great at making plays in the backfield.

DB Chad Hansen Jr. Utah

Had a breakout season in 2016. He has great size in the back and can hit big.

DB Chris Hawkins Sr. USC

A reliable veteran and All-Pac-12 selection in 2016.

DB Justin Reid Jr. Stanford

Just another Stanford safety who is tough and great against the run.

DB Xavier Crawford So. Oregon State

A big cover corner who will be a star in a year or two.

Special Teams

K Aidan Schneider Sr. Oregon

The first good Duck kicker in a long time.

P Dylan Klumph Jr. Cal

Has a great punting average.

R Charles Nelson Sr. Oregon

Probably the scariest returner in the conference because of his speed and escapability.

3rd Team

Offense

QB Luke Falk Sr. Washington State

RB Ryan Nall Jr. Oregon State

RB Kalen Ballage Sr. Arizona State

WR Deontay Burnett Jr. USC

WR Devin Ross Sr. Colorado

TE Austin Roberts Jr. UCLA

OL Gus Lavaka So. Oregon State

OL Tyrell Crosby Sr. Oregon

OL Jake Hanson So. Oregon

OL Salesi Uhatafe Sr. Utah

OL Tim Lynott So. Colorado

Defense

DL Filipo Mokofisi Sr. Utah

DL Tashon Smallwood Sr. Arizona State

DL Harrison Phillips Sr. Stanford

DL Daniel Ekuale Sr. Washington State

LB Troy Dye So. Oregon

LB Peter Kalambayi Sr. Stanford

LB Joey Alfieri Sr. Stanford

DB Alijah Holder Sr. Stanford

DB Isaiah Oliver Jr. Colorado

DB Afolabi Laguda Sr. Colorado

DB JoJo McIntosh Jr. Washington

Special Teams

K Matt Boermeester Sr. USCP Jake Bailey Jr. Stanford

R Kaleb Fossum Jr. Washington State

Honorable Mention

Offense

QB Josh Rosen Jr. UCLA

RB Bryce Love Jr. Stanford

RB Lavon Coleman Sr. Washington

WR N’Keal Harry So. Clemson

WR Darren Andrews Sr. UCLA

TE Ray Hudson Sr. Cal

OL Calvin Throckmorton So. Oregon

OL Nick Harris So. Washington

OL Casey Tucker Sr. Stanford

OL Jesse Burkett Sr. Stanford

OL Jacob Alsadek Sr. Arizona

Defense

DL James Looney Sr. Cal

DL Cameron Saffle Sr. Cal

DL Jaylon Johnson Jr. Washington

DL Jaelen Phillips Fr. UCLA

LB Kevin Palma Sr. Stanford

LB D.J. Calhoun Sr. Arizona State

LB Derek McCartney Sr. Colorado

DB Jalen Thompson So. Washington State

DB Marvell Tell III Jr. USC

DB Brendan Schooler So. Oregon

DB Brandon Simmons Sr. Stanford

Special Teams

K Chris Graham Sr. Colorado

P Jake Pollack Jr. Arizona

R Boobie Hobbs Sr. Utah