Marks and Luani named first-team All-Pac-12; OL snubbed

PULLMAN – It appears the Pac-12 coaches saw little correlation between individual performance and winning in 2016, at least in their games against Washington State. Although the Cougars won seven Pac-12 games, the conference coaches voted just four players onto the All-Pac-12 first or second teams.

UCLA, conversely, placed six players on the first and second teams despite winning just two Pac-12 games.

Most notably missing from the lists was left guard Cody O’Connell, who is a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which is given to the nation’s best interior lineman on offense or defense. Right tackle Cole Madison was also snubbed despite being named the top offensive tackle in college football by Pro Football Focus.

The Bruins had one offensive lineman on the first team and another on the second team despite ranking last in the conference in yards per rush (2.9).

Wide receiver Gabe Marks was named first-team all-conference, as was safety Shalom Luani. Quarterback Luke Falk was named to the second team, as was defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa.

O’Connell and Madison were given honorable mention, as were teammates wide receiver River Cracraft, running back Jamal Morrow, linebacker Peyton Pelluer and offensive lineman Riley Sorenson.

The Washington Huskies led the way in all-conference selections with 19, including honorable mentions, which is a school record. Jake Browning was named the Offensive Player of the Year, as well as first-team quarterback, and safety Taylor Rapp was named Defensive Freshman of the Year.

Running back Myles Gaskin, wide receiver John Ross and offensive linemen Trey Adams and Jake Eldrenkamp were named to the first team along with defensive lineman Elijah Qualls, linebacker Azeem Victor, safety Budda Baker and cornerback Sidney Jones. Defensive lineman Vita Vea was named to the second team as was punt returner Dante Pettis.

Tight end Darrell Daniels, defensive lineman Greg Gaines, cornerback Kevin King, tight end Drew Sample and linebacker Psalm Wooching were all given honorable mention.

Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year for leading the Buffaloes to a 10-2 record and the school’s first South Division title. The Buffaloes were projected to finish last in the south in the preseason media poll, having gone 1-8 in conference play last season.

USC quarterback Sam Darnold was named the Offensive Freshman of the Year, and teammate Adoree Jackson was named the Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year for his work at cornerback.