2022 Pac-12 Football Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva, and All-Conference honors announced
Dec 6, 2022
Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Caleb Williams, USC
Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year: Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Damien Martinez, Oregon State
Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Lander Barton, Utah
Co-Coaches of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Kalen DeBoer, Washington & Jonathan Smith, Oregon State
SAN FRANCISCO – The Pac-12 has announced the 2022 Football Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva, as well as its annual All-Conference honors and yearly recognitions as voted by the league's 12 coaches. First team honors were led by five players each from OREGON STATE and USC including Heisman Trophy finalist Caleb Williams as the first team quarterback. Across the first and second teams, Oregon State led with nine players, one more than both USC and WASHINGTON with eight each.
Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Caleb Williams, QB, So., USC
Williams, a 2022 Heisman Trophy finalist, give the Trojans back-to-back Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year winners (WR Drake London last year), the first time a school has repeated since Stanford won three straight from 2009-11 (Toby Gerhart, Andrew Luck x 2). The last time USC won this award in consecutive seasons was from 2003-2005 when Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush each won the award once individually while sharing in 2004.
- First USC Heisman finalist since Bush and Leinart were both finalists in 2005.
- Instrumental part of turning around program that went 4-8 in the 2021 season to an 11-2 team in 2022. The 7-win increase matches the biggest turnaround in USC history. The only other time the Trojans increased their win total by 7 games was the 1962 National Championship season, following a 4-win season in 1961.
- Prior to any bowl games, Williams ranks among the national leaders in almost all passing categories. Leads the nation with 37 passing TD, which is 2 short of the school's single-season record held by Cody Kessler (2014) and Matt Barkley (2011), and also leads with a USC record 47 total TD (37 pass, 10 rush).
- Third in the country with 4,447 total yards, breaking the USC single-season record set by Sam Darnold in 2017 (4,425)
- Fourth in FBS with 4,075 pass yards to become just the 2nd Trojan to reach 4,000 yards in a season (Darnold with 4,143 in 2017).
- Fifth in the country in lowest rate of interceptions (0.9%) with just 4 picks in 448 pass attempts which would set the school record (currently Kessler, 1.1% in 2014).
- 372 rushing yards is the most by a USC QB in the last 70 years since complete records were available, breaking the previous record of 342 by Jim Sears in 1952.
- Finalist for not only the Heisman Trophy, but also for the Manning Award, Davey O'Brien Award and Maxwell Award. First team All-Pac-12 QB.
Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year: Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, Jr., USC
Tuipulotu becomes the second Trojan in the last three years to win this award (Talanoa Hufanga in 2020) and the ninth all-time since the Defensive Player of the Year became its own award in 1983.
- Back-to-back seasons as first team All-Pac-12.
- Leads the nation with 12.5 sacks this season, becoming just the third Trojan in the last 30 seasons to have at least 12 sacks in a season.
- Second in FBS with 21.0 TFL this season, the most by a Trojan since Kenechi Udeze had 26 in 2003.
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Finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award.
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Won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week two times this season and the Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week four times to become the first player to ever win it four times in one season since the award was created in 2019.
Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Damien Martinez, RB, Fr., Oregon State
Martinez becomes the second Beaver to be named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman Player of the Year, joining fellow running back Jermar Jefferson in 2018. Running back Jacquizz Rodgers won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2008, the year before the award was split into Offensive and Defensive. Offensive Guard Jeremy Perry split the freshman award in 2005 while cornerback Brandon Browner was named the league's top freshman in 2003.
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2nd among FBS freshmen and 38th overall in the country with 970 rushing yards. Third most rushing yards in the Pac-12 this season.
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Needs 30 yards to become the fourth OSU freshman to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season (Ken Simonton - 1998, Jacquizz Rodgers - 2008, Jermar Jefferson - 2018).
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Ran for 100+ yards in each of the final six games of the regular season, becoming the first Beaver to have six straight 100-yard games since Steven Jackson in 2003.
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Second among Pac-12 true freshmen with seven rush TD this season
- 3-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week this season including the final two weeks of the regular season. One of two players this season to earn it three times (Cal RB Jaydn Ott).
Honorable Mention: RB Jaydn Ott, California; WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona; QB Ashton Daniels, Stanford; RB Jordan James, Oregon; WR Jordyn Tyson, Colorado
Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Lander Barton, LB, Fr., Utah
Barton becomes the second straight Ute to earn this honor (Junior Tafuna last year) and becomes the third straight year a Utah player has won a Pac-12 freshman award (Ty Jordan, 2020 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman Player of the Year).
- 3.5 sacks this season, second most among Pac-12 freshmen behind teammate Simote Pepa.
- 5.0 TFL this season, third most among Pac-12 freshmen
- Six tackles, 0.5 TFL, fumble recovery, one pass breakup in Pac-12 Football Championship Game
- Four or more tackles in seven of Utah's 13 games this season
- Named College Football Network Freshman All-American
Honorable Mention: DB Jaden Hicks, Washington State; DB Jeremiah Earby, California; EDGE David Bailey, Stanford; LB Jacob Manu, Arizona; K Carter Brown, Arizona State
Co-Coaches of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Kalen DeBoer, Washington and Jonathan Smith, Oregon State
Fifth time in conference history that two coaches have shared the Coach of the Year award and the first time since 2015 when Washington State's Mike Leach and Stanford's David Shaw were co-winners. DeBoer becomes just the second Washington head coach to claim this honor, joining the legendary Don James who won it three times (1980, 1990 co-winner, 1991). Smith becomes the fourth Oregon State head coach to win this award (Mike Riley- 2008, Dennis Erickson- 2000, Dave Kragthrope- 1989).
- DeBoer enters bowl season at 10-2, becoming the first Washington head coach to win more than eight games in his first season with the Huskies. With a win in the Alamo Bowl, DeBoer would become the fourth UW coach all-time to win 11 games in a season (Don James, Rick Neuheisel, Chris Petersen).
- Has led an offensive revival with the Huskies. Washington currently ranks in the Top 5 in FBS in passing offense (367.7 ypg - 1st), total offense (521.7 ypg, 2nd), scoring offense (40.8 ppg, T-4th), offensive first downs (329, 4th) and 3rd down conversion percentage (.571, 1st).
- Smith has led the Beavers to a 9-3 record entering their bowl game with a chance to reach 10 wins for the third time in school history if they defeat Florida in the SFS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl.
- Made their first ever appearance in the College Football Playoff rankings and were 14th in their final Top 25. Ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2012.
- Named AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year
2022 ALL-PAC-12 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL TEAM
| First Team Offense | Second Team Offense | ||
| QB | Caleb Williams, So., USC | QB | Michael Penix Jr., Jr., Washington |
| RB | Zach Charbonnet, Sr., UCLA | RB | X Valladay, Gr., Arizona State |
| RB | Damien Martinez, Fr. Oregon State | RB | Travis Dye, R-Sr., USC |
| WR | Rome Odunze, So., Washington | WR | Dorian Singer, So., Arizona |
| WR | Jordan Addison, Jr., USC | WR | Troy Franklin, So., Oregon |
| TE | Dalton Kincaid, Sr., Utah | TE | Benjamin Yurosek, Jr., Stanford |
| OL | T.J. Bass, Sr., Oregon* | OL | Troy Fautanu, So., Washington |
| OL | Braeden Daniels, Jr., Utah | OL | Taliese Fuaga, So., Oregon State |
| OL | Alex Forsyth, Sr., Oregon | OL | Brett Neilon, R-Sr., USC |
| OL | Andrew Vorhees, R-Sr., USC | OL | Joshua Gray, R-So., Oregon State |
| OL | Jaxson Kirkland, Sr., Washington** | OL | Atonio Mafi, R-Sr., UCLA |
| OL | Sataoa Laumea, So., Utah |
| First Team Defense | Second Team Defense | ||
| DL | Tuli Tuipulotu, Jr., USC* | DL | Brandon Dorlus, Jr., Oregon |
| DL | Laiatu Latu, R-Jr., UCLA | DL | Ron Stone Jr., R-Jr., Washington State |
| DL | Bralen Trice, So., Washington | DL | Brennan Jackson, R-Jr., Washington State |
| DL | Jeremiah Martin, Sr., Washington | DL | Junior Tafuna, So., Utah |
| LB | Daiyan Henley, R-Sr., Washington State | LB | Noah Sewell, So., Oregon |
| LB | Jackson Sirmon, R-Sr., California | LB | Karene Reid, So., Utah |
| LB | Omar Speights, Jr., Oregon State | LB | Darius Muasau, Sr., UCLA |
| DB | Clark Phillips III, So., Utah | DB | Jaydon Grant, R-Sr., Oregon State |
| DB | Christian Gonzalez, So., Oregon | DB | Kyu Blu Kelly, Sr., Stanford |
| DB | Mekhi Blackmon, R-Sr., USC | DB | Calen Bullock, So., USC |
| DB | Rejzohn Wright, Sr., Oregon State | DB | Alex Cook, Sr., Washington |
| First Team Specialists | Second Team Specialists | ||
| PK | Joshua Karty, Jr., Stanford | PK | Peyton Henry, Sr., Washington |
| P | Eddie Czaplicki, So., Arizona State | P | Jamieson Sheahan, Sr., California |
| RS | Anthony Gould, R-So., Oregon State | RS | Silas Bolden, So., Oregon State |
| AP/ST | Jack Colletto, R-Sr., Oregon State | AP/ST | Daiyan Henley, R-Sr., Washington State |
RS = Return Specialist
AP/ST = All-Purpose/Special Teams Player (not a kicker or returner)
(*) Two-time first team selection, (**) Three-time first team selection
No Tiebreaker: There was a tie for the fifth offensive lineman for first team, so that team is represented with six offensive linemen.
ALL-PAC-12 HONORABLE MENTION
ARIZONA: WR Jacob Cowing, Jr.; QB Jayden de Laura, So.; K Tyler Loop, So.; OL Jordan Morgan, Jr.; OL Jonah Savaiinaea, Fr.; RB Michael Wiley, Jr.
ARIZONA STATE: WR Elijhah Badger, R-So.; DB Jordan Clark, R-Jr.; TE Jalin Conyers, R-So.; RS Daniyel Ngata, R-So.; LB Merlin Robertson, 5th; DL Nesta Jade Slivera, Gr; LB Kyle Soelle, R-5th; DB Ro Torrance, R-So.
CALIFORNIA: DB Jeremiah Earby, Fr.; WR/RS Jeremiah Hunter, Jr.; RB Jaydn Ott, Fr.; DB Daniel Scott, R-Sr.; WR J. Michael Sturdivant, R-Fr.; DB Craig Woodson, R-Jr.
COLORADO: ILB Josh Chandler-Semedo, Gr.; DB/RS Nikko Reed, So.; OL Casey Roddick, Jr.; TE Brady Russell, Sr.; DL Jalen Sami, Jr.
OREGON: OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Sr.; WR Chase Cota, Sr.; TE Terrance Ferguson, So.; RB Bucky Irving, So.; OLB DJ Johnson, Sr.; K Camden Lewis, Jr.; QB Bo Nix, Sr.; OL Ryan Walk, Sr.; DB Bennett Williams, Sr.
OREGON STATE: DB Alex Austin, R-So.; DB Ryan Cooper Jr., Jr.; LB Kyrei Fisher-Morris, R-Sr.; WR Tre'Shaun Harrison, Sr.; OL Brandon Kipper, R-Sr.; OL Jake Levengood, R-Jr.; P Luke Loecher, R-Sr.; DL Sione Lolohea, So.; DB Kitan Oladapo, R-Jr.; DL James Rawls, R-Jr.;
STANFORD: LB Levani Dumani, Sr.; DL Stephen Herron, Sr.; WR Elijah Higgins, Sr.; LB Ricky Miezan, 5th, OL Drake Nugent, Sr.; OL Walter Rouse, Sr.; P Ryan Sanborn, Sr.; AP/ST Brycen Tremayne, 5th; WR Michael Wilson, 5th
UCLA: DB Stephan Blaylock, R-Sr.; WR Jake Bobo, R-Sr.; OL Jon Gaines II, Sr.; QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, R-Sr.
USC: OL Justin Dedich, R-Sr.; OL Jonah Monheim, R-So.; LB Shane Lee, Sr.; WR Tahj Washington, R-Jr.; DB Max Williams, R-Jr.
UTAH: OL Keaton Bills, So.; S Cole Bishop, So.; DL Jonah Elliss, So.; DB R.J. Hubert, Sr.; QB Cameron Rising, Jr.; WR Devaughn Vele, So.
WASHINGTON: OL Henry Bainivalu, Sr.; LB Cam Bright, Sr.; OL Corey Luciano, Sr.; WR Jalen McMillan, So.; RB Wayne Taulapapa, Gr.; DL Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Jr.; LB Alphonzo Tuputala, So.; DB Asa Turner, Jr.
WASHINGTON STATE: RS Robert Ferrel, 5th; P Nick Haberer, So.; OL Jarrett Kingston, R-Jr.; DB Armani Marsh, R-Sr.; DB Chau Smith-Wade, So.; QB Cam Ward, So.; RB Nakia Watson, R-Jr.