Phil Steele releases 2023 preseason All-Pac-12 team
The Pac-12 is loaded with talent, particularly at quarterback, entering the 2023 season. Caleb Williams is back at USC after winning the Heisman last season, while Michael Penix Jr. from Washington is also back after finishing in the top 10 for the award in 2022.
The conference is also loaded at receiver with guys like Jacob Cowing and Rome Odunze, and there are likely to be plenty of shootouts in the Pac-12 this season.
Phil Steele recently had the difficult task of ranking the players at each position in the Pac-12 heading into the 2023 season. Steele has released his preseason All-Pac-12 team, which offers first-team, second-team, third-team and fourth-team selections. Here is who Phil Steele has as the best of the best in the Pac-12 heading into 2023:
Phil Steele Preseason All-Pac-12 team
First-team offense
QB Caleb Williams, USC
Caleb Williams of Southern Cal is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft heading into the season. Williams accounted for 4,919 yards of offense and 52 touchdowns a season ago.
If he can put up similar numbers as a junior in 2023 and get a little more help from his defense, the Trojans could be College Football Playoff contenders this fall.
RB Damien Martinez, Oregon State
One of the more underrated backs in the country, Martinez starred as a freshman, finishing with 982 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, while averaging more than 6 yards per carry.
He was named a Freshman All-American in 2022 and should be one of the best backs in the country this year.
RB Bucky Irving, Oregon
The Minnesota transfer topped the 1,000-yard mark during his first season at Oregon, finishing with 1,058 yards, while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Irving was the leader of a Ducks attack that ranked No. 6 nationally in yards per carry last year.
The speedster was a productive back in the Big Ten as a freshman, prior to transferring to Oregon.
WR Jacob Cowing, Arizona
It’s no surprise that Cowing is listed as a first-team preseason All-Pac-12 selection after he led the league with 85 receptions last year.
After transferring in from UTEP, Cowing caught 85 passes for 1,034 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season at Arizona, while averaging 12.2 yards per catch.
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
While Cowing led the Pac-12 in receptions last year, Odunze led the league in receiving yards, catching 75 passes for 1,145 yards. Odunze and fellow Huskies receiver Jalen McMillan were exceptional targets for Penix.
The Washington offense is loaded for 2023, and Odunze is a big part of that.
WR Tahj Washington, USC
With Jordan Addison gone, Tahj Washington should be the top target for Caleb Williams at USC. Washington finished second on the Trojans offense with 50 catches for 785 yards in 2022.
The Texas native was productive at Memphis in 2020, prior to transferring to USC and continuing to put up big numbers.
TE Benjamin Yurosek, Stanford
Yurosek was a bright spot for a Cardinal offense that struggled last year, finishing with 49 catches for 445 yards, while starting all 12 games.
The California native earned All-Pac-12 honors each of the past two seasons and is on Steele’s first team heading into 2023.
C Justin Dedich, USC
Dedich is entering his sixth season with the Trojans. He has played all over the interior of the offensive line during his time at USC but is expected to be the starting center for the Trojans in 2023.
He enters his sixth year having played in 35 games in his career, while making 20 starts. Last season, Dedich appeared in 13 games, making starts at left guard, right guard and center.
G Keaton Bills, Utah
Bills has played in 33 games, while making 25 starts as he enters his senior season for the Utes. Last season, Bills played in 14 games, while making 12 starts.
He helped the Utes rush for an average of 217.6 yards per game in 2022, which ranked No. 11 in the FBS and second in the Pac-12.
G Jarrett Kingston, USC
A transfer from Washington State, Kingston was a two-year starter for the Cougars, prior to transferring to USC. He earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 honors last season.
For his career, Kingston has appeared in 37 games, making 26 starts. He has played tackle and guard during his career but is slated to be a guard for USC.
T Joshua Gray, Oregon State
Gray was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2022 after starting all 13 games. He helped open up holes for Damien Martinez and other Beavers backs.
Gray has started 33 games in his career and was All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2021.
T Sataoa Laumea, Utah
Laumea has been named All-Pac-12 three times, including earning first-team honors in 2022. The California native has appeared in 33 games in his career, making 31 starts.
Laumea joined Keaton Bills in helping Utah rush for an average of 217.6 yards per game in 2022.
First-team defense
DE Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Dorlus led the Ducks in tackles for loss last season, finishing with 9.5, while earning second-team All-Pac 12 honors.
The Florida native was named first-team All-Pac-12 in 2021, finishing with 25 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He has 20.5 tackles for loss in 43 games played for his career.
DT Junior Tafuna, Utah
Tafuna started all 14 games for the Utes in 2022, finishing with 27 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
The former three-star recruit was named the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 after posting 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
DT James Rawls, Oregon State
The California native finished with a team-high 10 tackles for loss for Oregon State last season. Rawls started 12 of 13 games and earned All-Pac-12 honors.
He was a part of a Beavers defense that had an excellent year, ranking No. 16 nationally in scoring defense.
DE Bralen Trice, Washington
Trice had a great season in 2022, leading the Huskies with nine sacks, which was the third-most in the Pac-12.
He played in all 13 games, making 12 starts and was named the Washington Defensive MVP at the team’s banquet following last season.
LB Jackson Sirmon, California
Sirmon is entering his sixth season of college football after starting his career at Washington. He played for the Huskies from 2018-21, before transferring to California prior to the 2022 season.
Sirmon was first-team All-Pac-12 last season after leading the team with 104 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery.
LB Darius Muasau, UCLA
Muasau started all 13 games and led UCLA in tackles with 91. He ended the season on a high note, finishing with 14 tackles in the Sun Bowl against Pitt.
Muasau transferred to UCLA from Hawaii, where he was an All-Mountain West first-team selection in 2021.
LB Alphonzo Tuputala, Washington
Tuputala had a great season in his first year as a starter, finishing second on the team with 71 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss.
Tuputala has appeared in 26 games thus far in his college career. He was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 after last season.
LB Mason Cobb, USC
A transfer from Oklahoma State, Cobb is a big reason why there is optimism that the Trojans can be better defensively in 2023.
Cobb spent three seasons playing for the Cowboys, finishing with 108 tackles and 16 tackles for loss in 31 games, with 13 starts. He was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2022 after recording a team-high 96 tackles and 13 tackles for loss.
CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
Expectations are high for the Alabama transfer, who played in nine games, with one start last season. Jackson recorded seven tackles, including one tackle for loss last season. He also contributed on special teams.
Jackson played at Alabama after starting his college career at Fort Scott Community College.
CB Jabbar Muhammad, Washington
A transfer from Oklahoma State, Muhammad played in 31 games, with 13 starts during his time with the Cowboys. He earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in 2022.
Muhammad recorded 48 tackles in 2022. For his career at Oklahoma State, he had 71 tackles.
S Calen Bullock, USC
A bright spot on the USC defense last season, Bullock started all 14 games for the Trojans, finishing with a team-high five interceptions, which ranked No. 11 nationally.
Bullock also had 48 tackles and five pass breakups, while earning All-Pac-12 honors.
S Cole Bishop, Utah
Bishop led the Utes with 83 tackles last season. He appeared in 14 games, while making 13 starts. Bishop also recorded six tackles for loss, which is an impressive number from the safety position.
Bishop earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 honors each of the past two seasons.
First-team special teams
K Joshua Karty, Stanford
Karty was named a Groza Award finalist last season after making all 18 of his field goal attempts and going 24-for-25 on PATs.
The North Carolina native was named first-team all-conference last year. Of his 18 field goal attempts, 13 were of 40-plus yards. As for kickoffs, he had 40 touchbacks on 55 chances.
P Eddie Czaplicki, USC
A transfer from Arizona State, Czaplicki averaged 46 yards per punt on 50 punts in 2022. He also pinned opponents inside the 20 on 15 occasions.
KR Silas Bolden, Oregon State
The receiver contributed in the passing game, taking handoffs and in the return game in 2022. Bolden averaged 27.2 yards per kick return last season.
PR Anthony Gould, Oregon State
Oregon State also has an excellent punt returner in Gould, who returned two punts for touchdowns on 14 attempts.
For the season, he led the country with an average of 18.3 yards per return. Gould earned All-American honors for his performance in 2022.
LS Jaden Green, Washington
Green handled all long snapping duties for Washington each of the past two seasons.
Second-team offense
QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
RB Jaydn Ott, California
RB Austin Jones, USC
WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
WR Jeremiah Hunter, California
TE Brant Kuithe, Utah
C Matthew Cindric, California
G Spencer Holstege, UCLA
G Sioape Vatikani, California
T Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
T Jonah Monheim, USC
Second-team defense
DE Brennan Jackson, Washington State
DT Tuli Letuligasenoa, Washington
DT Keithian “Bear” Alexander, USC
DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
LB Levani Damuni, Utah
LB David Bailey, Stanford
LB Karene Reid, Utah
CB Ryan Cooper, Oregon State
S Craig Woodson, California
S Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State
Second-team special teams
K Camden Lewis, Oregon
P Nick Haberer, Washington State
KR Jimmy Horn, Colorado
PR Jeremiah Hunter, California
LS Bailey Parsons, Stanford
Third-team offense
QB Bo Nix, Oregon
RB EJ Smith, Stanford
RB Carson Steele, UCLA
WR Elijhah Badger, Arizona State
WR J. Michael Sturdivant, UCLA
WR Dorian Singer, USC
TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
C Jake Levengood, Oregon State
G Jack Bailey, Colorado
G Michael Mokofisi, Utah
T Troy Fautanu, Washington
T Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Third-team defense
DE Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
DT Brett Johnson, California
DT Jay Toia, UCLA
DE Ron Stone, Washington State
LB LaVonta Bentley, Colorado
LB Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
LB Justin Flowe, Arizona
LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Oregon State
CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State
CB Treydan Stukes, Arizona
S Jaden Hicks, Washington State
S Evan Williams, Oregon
Third-team special teams
K Tyler Loop, Arizona
P Kyle Ostendorp, Arizona
KR Kris Hutson, Oregon
PR Jacob Cowing, Arizona
LS Simon Samarzich, Washington State
Fourth-team offense
QB Cameron Rising, Utah
RB Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State
RB Nakia Watson, Washington State
WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
WR Jimmy Horn, Colorado
WR DT Sheffield, Washington State
TE Jalin Conyers, Arizona State
C Konner Gomness, Washington State
OL Duke Clemens, UCLA
OL Josh Conerly, Oregon
OT Fa’alili Fa’amoe, Washington State
OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Fourth-team defense
DE Jonah Elliss, Utah
DT Popo Aumavae, Oregon
DT Tobin Phillips, Stanford
DE Jordan Burch, Oregon
DE BJ Green, Arizona State
LB Ahmad McCullough, Washington State
LB Travion Brown, Arizona State
LB Gaethan Bernadal, Stanford
CB Nohl Williams, California
CB JaTravis Broughton, Utah
S Kenny Churchwell, UCLA
S Shamari Simmons, Arizona State
Fourth-team special teams
K Cole Becker, Utah
P Mark Vassett, Colorado
KR Bryce Farrell, Stanford
PR Tez Johnson, Oregon
LS Dylan Black, Oregon State
It should be a fun year in the Pac-12 as there is plenty of star power. USC is clearly the favorite to win the conference, but as you can see, Utah, Oregon State, Oregon and other Pac-12 teams also have plenty of talent.