Athlon projects the Pac-12's best for 2016.
An intriguing race is set to unfold in the Pac-12 this season, as there’s not a clear frontrunner or team projected to finish in the top four and in the mix for a playoff berth. However, while the league may not have a dominant team in place for 2016, there’s no shortage of talent across the conference for all 12 teams. UCLA leads the way on Athlon’s projected All-Pac-12 team with 15 selections, while Washington is the top team from the North with 14 picks. USC (12), Utah (10), Stanford (11) and Arizona State (12) also hit the double-digit mark in selections for Athlon’s All-Pac-12 team for 2016.
Athlon Sports released its full predictions for the Pac-12 last week. Now, it’s time to take a look at the best of the best and honor the top players in the league with a release of first, second, third and fourth all-conference teams for 2016.
An important note on the all-conference teams: These are based on how players will perform in 2016. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2016 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year.
Related: 2016 Pac-12 Predictions, Projected Records and Awards
Pac-12 Team Previews for 2016
| North Division | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
National Rank: |
44 | 23 | 90 | 12 | 11 | 30 |
| South Division | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
National Rank: |
50 | 46 | 61 | 14 | 22 | 32 |
Visit the Athlon Sports Online Store to order a copy of the 2016 Pac-12 Preview Magazine, which features in-depth analysis and previews for all 12 teams, predictions, rankings and features to prepare for the upcoming year.
Athlon's 2016 All-Pac-12 Team
|
First-Team Offense |
Second-Team Offense |
Third-Team Offense |
Fourth-Team Offense |
|
| QB |
Josh Rosen UCLA |
Luke Falk Wazzu |
Jake Browning Washington |
Davis Webb California |
| RB |
Royce Freeman Oregon |
Ronald Jones USC |
Soso Jamabo UCLA |
Nick Wilson Arizona |
| RB |
Myles Gaskin Washington |
Demario Richard Arizona State |
Joe Williams Utah |
Justin Davis USC |
| AP |
Christian McCaffrey Stanford |
Charles Nelson Oregon |
Victor Bolden Oregon State |
Kalen Ballage Arizona State |
| WR |
Gabe Marks Wazzu |
Darren Carrington Oregon |
Darren Andrews UCLA |
John Ross Washington |
| WR |
JuJu Smith-Schuster USC |
Michael Rector Stanford |
Tim White Arizona State |
Samajie Grant Arizona |
| TE |
Dalton Schultz Stanford |
Darrell Daniels Washington |
Pharaoh Brown Oregon |
Kody Kohl Arizona State |
| C |
Riley Sorenson Wazzu |
Toa Lobendahn USC |
Coleman Shelton Washington |
Alex Kelley Colorado |
| OL |
Tyrell Crosby Oregon |
Trey Adams Washington |
Jacob Alsadek Arizona |
Casey Tucker Stanford |
| OL |
Zach Banner USC |
Johnny Caspers Stanford |
Chris Borrayo California |
Kenny Lacy UCLA |
| OL |
J.J. Dielman Utah |
Chad Wheeler USC |
Cole Madison Wazzu |
Sean Harlow Oregon State |
| OL |
Conor McDermott UCLA |
Isaac Asiata Utah |
Damien Mama USC |
Scott Quessenberry UCLA |
|
First-Team Defense |
Second-Team Defense |
Third-Team Defense |
Fourth-Team Defense |
|
| DL |
Kylie Fitts Utah |
Hunter Dimick Utah |
Greg Gaines Washington |
Rasheem Green USC |
| DL |
Eddie Vanderdoes UCLA |
Hercules Mata'afa Wazzu |
Takkarist McKinley UCLA |
Josh Tupou Colorado |
| DL |
Lowell Lotulelei Utah |
Elijah Qualls Washington |
Henry Mondeaux Oregon |
James Looney California |
| DL |
Solomon Thomas Stanford |
JoJo Wicker Arizona State |
Tashon Smallwood Arizona State |
Torrodney Prevot Oregon |
| LB |
Salamo Fiso Arizona State |
Peter Kalambayi Stanford |
Keishawn Bierria Washington |
Deon Hollins UCLA |
| LB |
Cameron Smith USC |
Peyton Pelluer Wazzu |
Jayon Brown UCLA |
Paul Magloire Arizona |
| LB |
Azeem Victor Washington |
Christian Sam Arizona State |
Derek McCartney Colorado |
Addison Gillam Colorado |
| CB |
Adoree' Jackson USC |
Chidobe Awuzie Colorado |
Alijah Holder Stanford |
Darrien Molton Wazzu |
| CB |
Sidney Jones Washington |
Iman Marshall USC
|
Marcus Rios UCLA |
Dominique Hatfield Utah |
| S |
Budda Baker Washington |
Randall Goforth UCLA |
Shalom Luani Wazzu |
Kareem Orr Arizona State |
| S |
Marcus Williams Utah |
Jaleel Wadood UCLA |
Tedric Thompson Colorado |
Fabian Moreau (CB) UCLA |
|
First-Team Specialists |
Second-Team Specialists |
Third-Team Specialists |
Fourth-Team Specialists |
|
| K |
Andy Phillips Utah |
Aidan Schneider Oregon |
Conrad Ukropina Stanford |
Zane Gonzalez Arizona State |
| P |
Matt Haack Arizona State |
Nick Porebski Oregon State |
Alex Kinney Colorado |
Mitch Wishnowsky Utah |
| KR |
Christian McCaffrey Stanford |
Tim White Arizona State |
John Ross Washington |
Charles Nelson Oregon |
| PR |
Dante Pettis Washington |
Adoree' Jackson USC |
Christian McCaffrey Stanford |
Ishmael Adams UCLA |
Team-by-Team Breakdown of Athlon's 2016 All-Pac-12 Team
| First | Second | Third | Fourth | |
|
Arizona
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
|
Arizona State
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 2 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 1 |
|
California
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
|
Colorado
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 2 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 2 Sp. Teams: 0 |
|
Oregon
|
Offense: 2 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 1 |
|
Oregon State
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
|
Stanford
|
Offense: 2 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 2 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
|
UCLA
|
Offense: 2 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 2 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 3 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 2 Sp. Teams: 1 |
|
USC
|
Offense: 2 Defense: 2 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 3 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
|
Utah
|
Offense: 1 Defense: 3 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 1 |
|
Washington
|
Offense: 1 Defense: 3 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 2 Sp. Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
|
Washington State
|
Offense: 2 Defense: 0 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 2 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Sp. Teams: 0 |
