Preseason College Football 2023 All-Pac-12 Team: Oregon matches USC

Today, we’ll examine the Pac-12’s strengths and best players by building three preseason All-Conference teams

The Pac-12 was one of the most talented conferences in the Power Five last college football season. The conference isn’t as talented on the defensive side of the ball this year, but it still has a case for featuring the nation’s best quarterbacks and wide receivers. Today, we’ll examine the Pac-12’s strengths and best players by building three preseason All-Conference teams.

Last year, Oregon and USC tied for the most selections across my three preseason All-Pac-12 teams with 11 each. Utah (ten), UCLA (eight), and Washington (seven) rounded out the top five. The same five teams are back in the mix for the top spots this year, and the selections are still very evenly distributed. You might be surprised to see which team came out on top.

This is the first part of an offseason series where I cover all Power Five and some Group of Five conferences. Subscribe for free with your email to receive updates on my latest posts and follow along as we cover the college football landscape.

Feel free to leave any questions or feedback in the comments, or you can reach me on Twitter @Sam_Teets33. I do my best to respond to everyone, so don’t feel shy about reaching out.

*Indicates new transfer

^Indicates Sam Teets 2022 preseason All-Conference selection

First Team Offense

Quarterback: Caleb Williams, USC^

Running Back: Bucky Irving, Oregon

Running Back: Carson Steele, UCLA*

Wide Receiver: Rome Odunze, Washington^

Wide Receiver: Jacob Cowing, Arizona^

Wide Receiver: Dorian Singer, USC*

Tight End: Brant Kuithe, Utah^

All-Purpose: Damien Martinez, Oregon State (RB)

Offensive Tackle: Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Offensive Tackle: Jonah Monheim, USC

Guard: Jarrett Kingston, USC*

Guard: Ben Coleman, Arizona State*^

Center: Justin Dedich, USC

First Team Defense

Defensive End: Bralen Trice, Washington

Defensive End: Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Defensive Tackle: Kyon Barrs, USC*^

Defensive Tackle: James Rawls, Oregon State

Linebacker: Jackson Sirmon, Cal

Linebacker: Jestin Jacobs, Oregon*

Linebacker: Karene Reid, Utah

Cornerback: Trikweze Bridges, Oregon

Cornerback: Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State

Safety: Calen Bullock, USC^

Safety: Cole Bishop, Utah^

USC continued its dominance from last season by leading all Pac-12 teams with seven players on the First Team. Oregon and Utah (three) were the only other programs with at least three players on the First Team. Arizona, Oregon State, UCLA, and Washington all had two players apiece. Colorado and Stanford were the conference’s only teams without selections.

Eight of the 24 players on the First Team earned spots on one of the three preseason All-Pac-12 teams I assembled last summer, including both safeties. Kyon Barrs, Cole Bishop, Jacob Cowing, Brant Kuithe, and Caleb Williams are back on the First Team for the second consecutive year.

Transfers played a significant role in forming the First Team offense. Four of the 13 players transferred to their current schools this offseason. Only two of the 11 defenders were recent transfers. The Trojans received half of the six transfers who earned spots on the First Team. Four of the six transfers switched Pac-12 schools, with three (Barrs, Jarrett Kingston, and Dorian Singer) joining USC.

Eight of the 12 players who earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors on offense for the 2022 season entered the NFL. Three of the returning players are represented on the preseason First Team offense (Damien Martinez, Rome Odunze, and Williams). Seven of the conference’s 11 First Team defenders went to the draft while Omar Speights transferred to LSU. All three remaining defenders are represented on the preseason team (Laiatu Latu, Jackson Sirmon, and Bralen Trice).

Calen Bullock, Karene Reid, and Singer were Second Team All-Pac-12 selections last year who could make the jump the First Team status in 2023.

Second Team Offense

Quarterback: Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Running Back: Jaydn Ott, Cal

Running Back: Austin Jones, USC

Wide Receiver: Jalen McMillan, Washington

Wide Receiver: Troy Franklin, Oregon

Wide Receiver: Elijhah Badger, Arizona State

Tight End: Benjamin Yurosek, Stanford

All-Purpose: E.J. Smith, Stanford (RB)

Offensive Tackle: Troy Fautanu, Washington

Offensive Tackle: Ajani Cornelius, Oregon*

Guard: Spencer Holstege, UCLA*

Guard: Heneli Bloomfield, Oregon State

Center: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Second Team Defense

Defensive End: Gabriel Murphy, UCLA^

Defensive End: Brandon Dorlus, Oregon^

Defensive Tackle: Tyrone Taleni, USC

Defensive Tackle: Simote Pepa, Utah

Linebacker: Darius Muasau, UCLA^

Linebacker: Lander Barton, Utah

Linebacker: Gaethan Bernadel, Stanford*

Cornerback: Travis Hunter, Colorado*

Cornerback: Jeremiah Earby, Cal

Safety: Bryan Addison, Oregon

Safety: Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State

The Ducks drew closer to USC in overall selections on the All-Conference teams thanks to a strong showing on the Second Team. Oregon led all programs with five selections. Stanford, UCLA, and Washington finished second with three selections each. Cal, Oregon State, USC, and Utah also had multiple players make the Second Team. Arizona and Washington State weren’t represented.

After being shut out on the First Team, Colorado got on the board with cornerback Travis Hunter. Hunter was one of several candidates for the All-Pac-12 teams that followed Deion Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado. Hunter has enough talent to make the First Team, especially considering how many Pac-12 corners left for the NFL recently, but he’s making a massive jump in competition level.

Sanders’ son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, also earned consideration but fell short because of the conference’s deep quarterback pool.

Oregon and Washington began pulling away from the pack thanks to their offensive star power. Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. have plenty of weapons to target, and their offensive lines feature NFL-caliber talent. USC is the consensus favorite to win the conference because of Lincoln Riley and Williams, but the Trojans will face stiff competition.

The reigning conference champion Utah Utes continue to hang around too. Instead of relying on offensive stars, the Utes focus on employing some of the conference’s toughest defenders. Four of Utah’s five selections so far have come on defense, and three were linebackers.

Only four players on the Second Team transferred to their current schools this offseason. Spencer Holstege joined the Bruins after allowing zero sacks at Purdue in 2022. New Oregon right tackle Ajani Cornelius joins the program after a dominant campaign at Rhode Island. Hunter and FIU transfer Gaethan Bernadel are also making big time leaps in competition level.

Only three players on the preseason All-Pac-12 Second Team are returning from my teams last year. Oregon’s versatile lineman Brandon Dorlus, UCLA’s burgeoning pass rusher Gabriel Murphy, and 2022 Hawaii transfer Darius Muasau appear for the second consecutive year. Dorlus and Muasau were actual Second Team selections at the end of the 2022 season.

On offense, Troy Fautanu, Troy Franklin, Michael Penix Jr., and Benjamin Yurosek earned Second Team All-Pac-12 honors at the end of last year. Yurosek will have to work hard to hold off rising contributors like Jalin Conyers, Terrance Ferguson, Tanner McLachlan, Jack Westover, and Thomas Yassmin. Fortunately for Yurosek, he’s projected to have a massive target share after Stanford bid farewell to its three leading wide receivers: Elijah Higgins, Brycen Tremayne, and Michael Wilson.

The Second Team’s running back situation is in flux. Jaydn Ott is an entrenched young star at Cal, but Austin Jones will split snaps with South Carolina transfer MarShawn Lloyd. All-purpose player E.J. Smith looked excellent at the start of 2022 but suffered a season-ending injury after just two games. That whole group could be shaken up.

Third Team Offense

Quarterback: Bo Nix, Oregon

Running Back: Michael Wiley, Arizona

Running Back: Micah Bernard, Utah

Wide Receiver: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Wide Receiver: Jeremiah Hunter, Cal

Wide Receiver: Xavier Guillory, Arizona State*

Tight End: Thomas Yassmin, Utah

All-Purpose: Noah Whittington, Oregon (RB)

Offensive Tackle: Joshua Gray, Oregon State^

Offensive Tackle: Aaron Frost, Arizona State*

Guard: Junior Angilau, Oregon*

Guard: Keaton Bills, Utah

Center: Jake Levengood, Oregon State

Third Team Defense

Defensive End: Jordan Burch, Oregon*

Defensive End: Grayson Murphy, UCLA^

Defensive Tackle: Gary Smith III, UCLA

Defensive Tackle: Brett Johnson, Cal

Linebacker: Shane Lee, USC

Linebacker: LaVonta Bentley, Colorado*

Linebacker: Mason Cobb, USC*

Cornerback: Christian Roland-Wallace, USC*^

Cornerback: Zemaiah Vaughn, Utah

Safety: Jordan Anderson, UCLA*

Safety: Sione Vaki, Utah

Utah led all programs with five selections to the All-Pac-12 Third Team. Oregon (four), UCLA (three), and USC (three) weren’t far behind. Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, and Oregon State also had multiple selections. Meanwhile, Stanford, Washington, and Washington State failed to place any players on the Third Team.

Three players on the Third Team also earned Third Team honors on the 2022 preseason All-Pac-12 teams. Joshua Gray outperformed that projection during the real season, earning Second Team All-Pac-12 status. He is the only player on the 2023 preseason Third Team who earned a Pac-12 All-Conference selection last year.

Eight 2023 transfers made the Third Team, bringing the total for all three teams to 18 players out of a possible 72. The most notable transfers on the Third Team include Clemson rotational linebacker LaVonta Bentley, former five-star recruit Jordan Burch, Second Team All-Big 12 linebacker Mason Cobb, and Second Team All-Big Sky receiver Xavier Guillory.

Cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace is also a notable transfer. He left Arizona to join the Trojans and battle with preseason All-Pac-12 honorable mentions Domani Jackson and Ceyair Wright for snaps.

Coincidentally, Third Team linemen and transfers Junior Angilau and Aaron Frost both missed the 2022 season because of injuries. Two more interesting tidbits: Utah claimed two of the three tight end spots, and Oregon got a second running back (Noah Whittington) on the list.

Guillory could easily win a Second Team All-Pac-12 spot. He and fellow Arizona State receiver Elijhah Badger (a preseason Second Team selection) will be competing for targets. Both players could be top 100 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Arizona State tight end Jalin Conyers is also a future NFL player.

The Pac-12 quarterback and wide receiver positions are loaded. Bo Nix, who would easily be a First or Second Team selection in most conferences, earned Third Team honors while 3,000-yard passers Jayden De Laura, Cameron Rising, Shedeur Sanders, and Cameron Ward were left off the list.

Wide receiver was also a tough position to pick for. Cal to UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant, Alabama to Oregon transfer Traeshon Holden, USF to Colorado transfer Xavier Weaver, and all of the USC receivers have good cases.

Final Outcome and Recap

It’s a tie! For the second year in a row, Oregon and USC share the crown for the most players on the preseason All-Pac-12 teams. The Ducks and Trojans each had 12 players selected. Coincidentally, Utah (ten) and UCLA (eight) matched their number of selections from last year. So the top four stayed the same with the only change being Oregon and USC picking up an extra player.

Washington failed to capture the fourth spot this year. Oregon State (six) jumped the Huskies (five) in a surprise move fueled by the Beavers having three offensive linemen selected. Another surprise was Cal tying Washington with five selections after only earning three spots in 2022.

Arizona and Arizona State tied with four players. All eight of their combined selections came on the offensive side of the ball. Four were wide receivers, and three were offensive linemen.

Stanford (three), Colorado (two), and Washington State (one) brought up the rear. Despite the influx of transfers, the Buffaloes didn’t see their total for preseason selections rise. While Colorado repeated with the same total, Stanford dropped from six selections to three, and Washington State dropped from five to one.

Five Additional Breakout Candidates

1. Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado*

2. Domani Jackson, CB USC

3. Jalin Conyers, TE Arizona State

4. Collin Schlee, QB UCLA*

5. J. Michael Sturdivant, WR UCLA*

Honorable Mentions Offense

Jayden De Laura, QB Arizona

Cameron Rising, QB Utah^

Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado*

Collin Schlee, QB UCLA*

DJ Uiagalelei, QB Oregon State*

Cameron Ward, QB Washington State^

Byron Cardwell, RB Cal

T.J. Harden, RB UCLA

Marshawn Lloyd, RB USC*

Cameron Skattebo, RB Arizona State*

Nakia Watson, RB Washington State

Jalin Conyers, TE Arizona State

Terrance Ferguson, TE Oregon

Tanner McLachlan, TE Arizona

Jack Velling, TE Oregon State

Jack Westover, TE Washington

Traeshon Holden, WR Oregon*

Kris Hutson, WR Oregon

Josh Kelly, WR Washington State*

Ja'lynn Polk, WR Washington

Brenden Rice, WR USC

DT Sheffield, WR Washington State*

J. Michael Sturdivant, WR UCLA*

Devaughn Vele, WR Utah

Tahj Washington, WR USC^

Xavier Weaver, WR Colorado*

Mario Williams, WR USC^

Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State

Sataoa Laumea, OT Utah

Roger Rosengarten, OT Washington

Michael Tarquin, OT USC*

Savion Washington, OT Colorado*

Tyler Brown, G Colorado*

Christy Nkanu, G Washington State*

Emmanuel Pregnon, G USC*

Jonah Savaiinaea, G Arizona

Duke Clemens, C UCLA

Honorable Mentions Defense

Junior Tafuna, IDL Utah

Jay Toia, IDL UCLA

Taijh Alston, Edge Colorado*

Jordan Domineck, Edge Colorado*

Logan Fano, Edge Utah*

Van Fillinger, Edge Utah

Korey Foreman, Edge USC

Jake Heimlicher, Edge UCLA*

Brennan Jackson, Edge Washington State

Jamil Muhammad, Edge USC*

Oluwaseyi Omotosho, Edge Oregon State*

Quinn Roff, Edge Washington State

Ron Stone Jr., Edge Washington State

Jack Sullivan, Edge USC*

Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Edge Washington^

Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge Oregon

Jeffrey Bassa, LB Oregon

Justin Flowe, LB Arizona*^

Eric Gentry, LB USC

Demouy Kennedy, LB Colorado*

Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, LB Oregon State

Oluwafemi Oladejo, LB UCLA*

Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB Washington^

Jatravis Broughton, CB Utah

Jordan Clark, CB Arizona State

Ryan Cooper Jr., CB Oregon State

Jaylin Davies, CB UCLA

Thaddeus Dixon, CB Washington*

Tyrice Ivy Jr., CB Oregon State*

Domani Jackson, CB USC

Khyree Jackson, CB Oregon*

Devin Kirkwood, CB UCLA

Dontae Manning, CB Oregon^

Cormani McClain, CB Colorado

Jabbar Muhammad, CB Washington*

Treydan Stukes, CB Arizona

Ro Torrence, CB Arizona State

Nohl Williams, CB Cal*

Ceyair Wright, CB USC

Xavion Alford, S Arizona State*

Jaden Hicks, S Washington State

Tysheem Johnson, S Oregon*

Sam Lockett III, S Washington State

Patrick McMorris, S Cal*

Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, S Colorado*

Shamari Simmons, S Arizona State*

Asa Turner, S Washington

Evan Williams, S Oregon*

Max Williams, S USC

Trevor Woods, S Colorado