2023 Pac-12 Football Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva, and All-Conference honors announced
Dec 4, 2023
Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Bo Nix, Oregon
Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Noah Fifita, Arizona
Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Cade Uluave, California
Coach of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Kalen DeBoer, Washington
The Pac-12 has announced the 2023 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 OREGON with 6 players while OREGON STATE, UTAH and Pac-12 Champion WASHINGTON all claimed 4 spots on the first team. Across the first and second teams, Oregon State led with 10 players, while Oregon had 9 with Utah and Washington both placing 8.
Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Bo Nix, QB, Sr., Oregon
Nix, a 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist, is the 1st Duck to be named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year since Marcus Mariota's 2014 Heisman-winning season. He's the 4th Oregon player to claim this honor, all of them quarterbacks, including Mariota, Dennis Dixon (2007) and Joey Harrington (2001). Nix, the 2023 Pac-12 Football Scholar Athlete of the Year, is also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy which is often referred to as the "academic Heisman."
- Joins Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. to give the Pac-12 two Heisman finalists for the first time since 2010 (Stanford's Andrew Luck and Oregon's LaMichael James).
- 4th Heisman finalist in Oregon history and first since Mariota won in 2014.
- Lead No. 8 Oregon to an 11-2 record entering the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against No. 23 Liberty.
- Leads the nation with a 77.2 completion percentage, in range of the NCAA single-season record of 77.4 set by Alabama's Mac Jones in 2020. Jones attempted 402 passes that season while Nix has already attempted 435.
- Tied for tops in the nation with 40 pass TD this season (LSU's Jayden Daniels) which is just 2 short of the school's single-season record of 42 set by Mariota in 2014. Just the 6th Pac-12 quarterback to throw 40+ pass TD in a season. Joins former Ohio State QB Justin Fields (2019) as the only FBS quarterbacks since at least 1996 to have at least 40 pass TD and 3 or fewer interceptions in the same season.
- Matched Oregon's single-game record with 6 passing touchdowns at Arizona State, getting all 6 in the first half. Also had 6 total touchdowns (4 passing, 2 rushing) in a win over California.
- 2nd in FBS with 318.8 pass yards per game, trailing only Washington's Penix Jr. (324.5). WIth 4,145 pass yards this season, Nix becomes just the 2nd Duck to throw for 4,000 yards in a season trailing only Mariota's 4,454 in 2014.
- Despite playing just 2 seasons at Oregon, ranks 3rd in Oregon history in passing touchdowns (69), 5th in passing yards (7,738) and tied for 7th in wins (21). Nix's 74.6 career completion percentage with the Ducks would break the school's all-time record of 66.8 by Mariota.
- Won Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week 4 times this season, tying the conference record for a single-season alongside USC's Matt Barkley (2011) and Arizona's Khalil Tate (2017). Became the first player in conference history to win the award 7 times in his career.
- Finalist for the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, and Unitas Golden Arm.
Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year: Laiatu Latu, DL, Sr., UCLA
Latu becomes the 5th Bruin to win this award all-time and the first since DL Brian Price in 2009. DE Dave Ball took home the honors for UCLA in 2003 along with MLB Robert Thomas in 2001 and DT Mark Walen in 1985.
- Back-to-back seasons as first team All-Pac-12.
- Leads the nation with 21.5 TFL this season and the most by a Bruin since Anthony Barr finished the 2012 season with 21.5.
- Tied for 4th in the country with 13.0 sacks this season and tied for the 3rd highest in UCLA history. Most by a Bruin in a season since Barr had 13.5 in 2012. Just the 4th Pac-12 player with at least 13.0 sacks in the last 7 seasons.
- Finalist for the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Award and Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year.
- Won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week once this season and Defensive Lineman of the Week twice.
- Leads a UCLA defense that is 11th in the country with just 299.0 yards per game allowed, 3rd in TFL per game (8.2) and 5th in sacks per game (3.42). The Bruins defense leads the nation with just 69.6 rush yards per game allowed and their 41 team sacks is the most by a UCLA team since 2012.
Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Noah Fifita, QB, RS Fr., Arizona
Fifita becomes that 2nd Arizona player to lock in the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year since the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award was split into the Offensive and Defensive awards prior to the 2009 season. RB J.J. Taylor split the award with Stanford OL Walker Little in 2017. Arizona WR Mike Thomas shared the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Award with Oregon State OG Jeremy Perry in 2005. LB Colin Schooler is the lone Wildcat to win Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year back in 2017.
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6-2 as the team's starting quarterback, leading the team on a 6-game win streak to end the regular season. It's the longest win streak for Arizona since 1998. Arizona is 9-3 this season, their most wins since going 10-4 in 2014.
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4th in FBS with a 73.6 completion percentage this season, tops among freshmen QB nationally. Looking to become the 1st quarterback in school history to complete over 70% of their passes in a season (minimum 100 attempts). The current Arizona record is 69.1% by Nick Foles in 2011 (387-of-560).
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23 pass TD this season is tied for the most of any FBS freshman (USF's Byrum Brown). It's tied for the 7th most in Arizona single-season history and 2nd most by a Wildcat freshman (Anu Solomon with 28 in 2014).
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2,515 pass yards this season is currently the 12th most in Arizona history and 2nd most by an Arizona freshman (Anu Solomon with 3,793 in 2014). Fifita is currently 5th among all FBS freshmen this season in passing yards.
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School-record 527 pass yards in win over Arizona State to also set the record for passing yards by a player on either team in Territorial Cup history. Matched his career-high with 5 passing touchdowns, set earlier this season against USC.
- Record 5-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week winner this season, all coming over the final 8 weeks. The previous high was 4 times by former Arizona State QB Jayden Daniels in 2019, the first season the conference had a weekly award for freshmen.
- Finalist for the national Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
Honorable Mention: WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford; WR/KR Zachariah Branch, USC; OL Parker Brailsford, Washington; RB Dylan Edwards, Colorado; QB Aidan Chiles, Oregon State; OL Spencer Fano, Utah; OL Iapani Laloulu, Oregon, QB Fernando Mendoza, California
Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Cade Uluave, ILB, Fr., California
Uluave becomes the first Cal player to win any Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award.
- Became a starter in final 5 games of the regular season and accumulated all of his season stats over the last 7 contests.
- 2 fumble recoveries this season, including one returned 51 yards for touchdown against Washington State
- 2 interceptions this season, tied for most among Pac-12 freshmen.
- 58 tackles this season, most among Pac-12 freshmen and 4th most on Cal.
- 6.5 tackles for loss this season, most among Pac-12 freshmen and tied for team lead.
- 2.5 sacks this season, 3rd most among Pac-12 freshmen.
- Earned 3 Pac-12 weekly honors this season. Was twice named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week and once honored as Freshman of the Week.
- Named College Football News Freshman All-American
Honorable Mention: DL Teitum Tuioti, Oregon; DB Jermod McCoy, Oregon State; DB Kamari Ramsey, UCLA; DL Keanu Tanuvasa, Utah; DL Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon; ILB Tackett Curtis, USC; DL C.J. Fite, Arizona State; CB Collin Wright, Stanford
Coach of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Kalen DeBoer, Washington
Honored in back-to-back seasons after sharing the award with Oregon State's Jonathan Smith last season. Becomes first Pac-12 coach to be honored in back-to-back seasons since Stanford's David Shaw in 2011-12. 2nd Washington head coach to win this award in consecutive seasons with Don James winning it solo in 1991 after sharing the award with Cal's Bruce Snyder in 1990. James also won the award in 1980, the only other time a Huskies' leader has been named Coach of the Year in this conference.
- 20 straight wins dating back to last season, longest active streak in FBS.
- 13-0 this season, most wins in school history. Just the 3rd coach in conference history to win 13 games in a season (Oregon's Mark Helfrich 13-2 in 2014 and USC's Pete Carroll 13-0 in 2004 with 2 wins later vacated).
- Went 9-0 in conference play. 2nd coach in conference history to go 9-0 in conference play (Oregon's Chip Kelly in 2010).
- 3rd head coach in Pac-12 history to lead their team to the College Football Playoff (Oregon's Mark Helfrich in 2014 and Washington's Chris Petersen in 2016).
- Has won 11+ games in his first 2 seasons at Washington (11-2 last season) to become the first head coach in school history to win 11+ games in consecutive seasons. Just the 6th head coach in the history of the conference to win 11+ games in consecutive seasons and just the 3rd to do it in his first 2 seasons with the team (Oregon's Mark Helfrich 2013-14 and Stanford's David Shaw 2011-13). With a win in the Sugar Bowl, would become just the 4th FBS coach since at least 1996 to win 12+ games in their first 2 seasons at a school (Miami's Larry Coker 2001-02, Ohio State's Urban Meyer 2012-13, Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley 2017-18).
- 1 of 12 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, 1 of 2 from the Pac-12 along with Arizona's Jedd Fisch. Also on the watchlist for both the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year and Dodd Trophy.
- Have won their last 9 games, all by 10 points or fewer. Washington is the only team since at least 1973 to win at least 8 straight games in which each game was decided by 10 points or less.
- 4-0 against teams in the current CFP Top 25 and 2-0 against the current Top 10. Only FBS school with multiple wins over the current Top 8.
- 5-0 against teams that were ranked in the AP Top 25 at the time of the game, most wins in FBS. Only team with 3 wins over teams that were ranked in the AP Top 10 at the time of the game. Only team with 4 wins over teams that were ranked in the AP Top 15 at the time of game.
- 7-0 against teams that currently have a winning record, most wins without a loss in FBS.
- 1 of 2 FBS teams with 11 wins over Power 5 schools this season (Florida State).
- 1 of 3 FBS teams that have not trailed by 8 or more points at any points this season (Michigan, Liberty).
2023 ALL-PAC-12 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL TEAM
| First Team Offense | Second Team Offense | ||
| QB | Bo Nix, Sr., Oregon | QB | Michael Penix Jr., Sr., Washington |
| RB | Jaydn Ott, So., California | RB | Bucky Irving, Jr., Oregon |
| RB | Damien Martinez, So. Oregon State* | RB | Dillon Johnson, Jr., Washington |
| WR | Rome Odunze, Jr., Washington* | WR | Tetairoa McMillan, So., Arizona |
| WR | Troy Franklin, Jr., Oregon | WR | Brenden Rice, Sr., USC |
| TE | Terrance Ferguson, Jr., Oregon | TE | Jack Velling, So., Oregon State |
| OL | Taliese Fuaga, Jr., Oregon State | OL | Tanner Miller, R-Jr., Oregon State |
| OL | Jackson Powers-Johnson, Jr., Oregon | OL | Parker Brailsford, R-Fr., Washington |
| OL | Troy Fautanu, Jr., Washington | OL | Sataoa Laumea, Jr., Utah |
| OL | Jordan Morgan, Sr., Arizona | OL | Duke Clemens, R-Sr., UCLA |
| OL | Jake Levengood, R-Sr., Oregon State | OL | Joshua Gray, R-Jr., Oregon State |
| First Team Defense | Second Team Defense | ||
| DL | Laiatu Latu, Sr., UCLA* | DL | Brennan Jackson, Gr., Washington State |
| DL | Jonah Elliss, Jr., Utah | DL | Junior Tafuna, Jr., Utah |
| DL | Bralen Trice, Jr., Washington* | DL | B.J. Green, Jr., Arizona State |
| DL | Brandon Dorlus, Sr., Oregon* | DL | Sione Lolohea, Jr., Oregon State |
| LB | Jacob Manu, So., Arizona | LB | Darius Muasau, R-Sr., UCLA |
| LB | Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Jr., Oregon State | LB | Jeffrey Bassa, Jr., Oregon |
| LB | Edefuan Ulofoshio, Sr., Washington | LB | Karene Reid, Jr., Utah |
| DB | Travis Hunter, So., Colorado | DB | Jabbar Muhammad, Jr., Washington |
| DB | Khyree Jackson, Sr., Oregon | DB | Cole Bishop, Jr., Utah |
| DB | Sione Vaki, So., Utah | DB | Kitan Oladapo, R-Sr., Oregon State |
| DB | Calen Bullock, Jr., USC | DB | Evan Williams, Sr., Oregon |
| First Team Specialists | Second Team Specialists | ||
| PK | Joshua Karty, Sr., Stanford* | PK | Tyler Loop, Jr., Arizona |
| P | Jack Bouwmeester, So., Utah | P | Lachlan Wilson, R-Jr., California |
| RS | Zachariah Branch, Fr., USC | RS | Silas Bolden, Jr.., Oregon State |
| AP/ST | Sione Vaki, So., Utah | AP/ST | Travis Hunter, So., Colorado |
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
Note: 2 players are recognized multiple times on the All-Pac-12 team and both are finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football. Utah RB/Safety Sione Vaki is listed as both on the first team at DB and at the All-Purpose/Special Teams spot. Colorado WR/CB/KR Travis Hunter is recognized on the first team at DB and on the second team at AP/ST.
ALL-PAC-12 HONORABLE MENTION
ARIZONA: RB Jonah Coleman, So.; WR Jacob Cowing, Sr.; DB Tacario Davis, So.; TE Tanner McLachlan, R-Sr.; DB Ephesians Prysock, So.; OL Jonah Savaiinaea, So.; DB Treydan Stukes, Jr.; DL Taylor Upshaw, Gr.
ARIZONA STATE: RS Elijhah Badger, R-Jr.; OL Leif Fautanu, R-Jr.; DL Dashaun Mallory, Gr.; RB Cam Skattebo, Jr.
CALIFORNIA: LB David Reese, R-Sr.; DB Craig Woodson, R-Jr.
COLORADO: QB Shedeur Sanders, Jr.; DB Shilo Sanders, Gr.; P Mark Vassett, Jr.
OREGON: DL Jordan Burch, Jr.; OL Josh Conerly Jr., So.; OL Ajani Cornelius, Jr.; DB Tysheem Johnson, Jr.; WR Tez Johnson, Jr.; OL Steven Jones, Sr.;
OREGON STATE: DB Akili Arnold, R-Jr.; DB Ryan Cooper Jr., Sr.; WR Anthony Gould, R-Jr.; AP/ST Jesiah Irish, R-Sr.; K Atticus Sappington, R-So.
STANFORD: WR Elic Ayomanor, So.; DB Alaka'i Gilman, Sr.; LB Tristan Sinclair, 5th; TE Benjamin Yurosek, Sr.
UCLA: DB Kenny Churchwell III, R-Sr.; DB Alex Johnson, R-Sr.; TE Moliki Matavao, Jr.; LB Kain Medrano, Sr.; DL Gabriel Murphy, R-Jr.; DL Grayson Murphy, R-Jr.
USC: DL Bear Alexander, So.; AP/ST Zachariah Branch, Fr.; DL Solomon Byrd, R-Sr.; OL Justin Dedich, R-Sr.; RB Marshawn Lloyd, R-Jr.; OL Jonah Monheim, R-Jr.; TE Lake McRee, R-So.; WR Tahj Washington, R-Sr., QB Caleb Williams, Jr.
UTAH: OL Keaton Bills, Jr.; OL Michael Mokofisi, So.; DB Zemaiah Vaughn, Jr.
WASHINGTON: LB Carson Bruener, Jr.; TE Devin Culp, Sr.; DB Dominique Hampton, Sr.; OL Roger Rosengarten, So.; DL Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Sr.; TE Jack Westover, Sr.
WASHINGTON STATE: DB Jaden Hicks, R-So.; DL Ron Stone Jr., R-Sr.; WR Lincoln Victor, Sr.; QB Cameron Ward, Jr.