AP names 2023 Pac-12 offensive, defensive players of the year and coach of the year
The Associated Press released its all-Pac-12 team on Friday night, and there weren’t many surprises on the list.
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. Nix, a Heisman Trophy finalist, had an electrifying season in Eugene in 2023 with 4,145 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. His 4,145 yards are 2nd nationally to only fellow Heisman finalist Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., with his 40 touchdowns tied atop the FBS leaderboard with another Heisman finalist, LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
UCLA’s Laiatu Latu received the Defensive Player of the Year nod in a season that saw him total 13 sacks, a Top 5 total nationally and up from 10.5 sacks in 2022. The 5th-year player was credited with 49 tackles and 21.5 TFLs overall, along with a pair of interceptions and forced fumbles.
Coach of the Year honors went to Kalen DeBoer as he has helmed Washington’s 13-0 season, leading it to both a Pac-12 championship and a 1st-ever College Football Playoff bid. The Huskies, with Penix behind center and DeBoer on the sideline, will look to extend their historic season as they face Texas at the CFP semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.