Eight from Football Land on Athlon's Preseason All-Conference Team

TEMPE, Ariz. - Athlon Sports published their preseason Pac-12 All-Conference teams this week ahead of the 2022 season.

Following a campaign in which 13 Sun Devils received Pac-12 All-Conference honors, Arizona State is once again projected to have a highly decorated roster. Eight from Sun Devil Football occupied a total of nine spots on one of four preseason All-Conference teams released by Athlon Sports. The nine total selections are the third-most in the Pac-12 South. 

Return specialist D.J. Taylor highlights the group as the first team punt returner, also earning second team kick returner distinction. Taylor was one of only three players to appear twice on the list. Other second team honorees included running back Xazavian Valladay, offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson, and linebacker Merlin Robertson. Offensive lineman Ben Scott and linebacker Kyle Soelle landed on the third team. Rounding out the selections were defensive lineman Nesta Jade Silvera and defensive back Khoury Bethley, who were selected to the fourth team.

An indication of the balance expected out of the Maroon & Gold in 2022, the program's nine selections were distributed evenly among the units, with three coming on offense, four on defense, and two from special teams. 

Click here for a full look at the Athlon Sports' Pac-12 All-Conference Teams. The following is a breakdown of Sun Devils on the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference Team:

First-Team Specialists 
PR D.J. Taylor 

Second-Team Offense 
RB Xazavian Valladay 
OL LaDarius Henderson 

Second-Team Defense
LB Merlin Robertson 

Second-Team Specialists
KR D.J. Taylor 

Third-Team Offense
OL Ben Scott 

Third-Team Defense
LB Kyle Soelle 

Fourth-Team Defense
DL Nesta Jade Silvera 
S Khoury Bethley