Ten USC Trojans Named to Preseason All-Pac-12 Teams

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•07/18/23•

ErikTMcKinney

Ten USC Trojans were named to the All-Pac-12 preseason teams, the conference announced Tuesday. Utah led the way for the conference with six first-team selections. But no program had more named to the first and second teams than USC.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams headlined the first-team offense. There is no surprise there and Williams will be the choice for any preseason All-America teams as well. He was joined on the first-team offense by wide receiver Dorian Singer. In what is a loaded position in this conference, Singer got the nod along with Rome Odunze from Washington. Singer is expected to have a big year after positing a 1,000-yard season at Arizona and making the move to USC.

USC’s Raleek Brown was named a first-team selection at all-purpose/special teams. Brown took over as USC’s primary kickoff returner as a true freshman and also worked at wide receiver this spring. Interestingly, he and Singer are the only two USC Trojans selected to either team or among the honorable mentions. It wouldn’t have been surprising to see Mario Williams, Tahj Washington or Brenden Rice pop up somewhere.

On defense, safety Calen Bullock was USC’s only selection to the first team. The junior is returning after earning All-America honors last season and should be one of the keys to an improved USC defense.

And punter Eddie Czaplicki is the first-team selection at punter after finishing last season as the postseason first-team pick while at Arizona State.

Second-Team USC Trojans

No USC offensive linemen landed on the first team, but the Trojans still tied for the conference lead when considering the 10 picks to the first and second teams. Center Justin Dedich, tackle Jonah Monheim and guard Jarrett Kingston were all named second-team selections. It won’t be surprising at all to see one of more of that group play his way onto the postseason first team.

Defensively, two USC linebackers made the second team, in Eric Gentry and Mason Cobb. If USC’s defense is going to improve dramatically this fall, those two will likely play big roles. Gentry was constantly around the ball when healthy last season. He would have led the team in tackles if not for injury and he had a hand in a number of created turnovers. Cobb recorded 96 tackles last season at Oklahoma State and did enough this spring to earn an invitation to media day as one of two player representatives for the Trojans.

Honorable Mention USC Players

USC had six players named to the honorable mention list at their respective positions.

Running back Austin Jones is back and will be a key piece of the offense. Defensive linemen Bear Alexander and Kyon Barrs have huge responsibilities in turning USC’s defensive front into a strength. Cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace brings veteran experience to the defensive back room. And Raleek Brown was named honorable mention as a return specialist.

All-Pac-12 Preseason Teams

 First Team Offense  Second Team Offense
QBCaleb Williams, USC QBMichael Penix Jr., Washington
RBDamien Martinez, Oregon St. RBJaydn Ott, California
RBBucky Irving, Oregon RBCarson Steele, UCLA
WRRome Odunze, Washington WRJalen McMillan, Washington
WRDorian Singer, USC WRJacob Cowing, Arizona
TEBrant Kuithe, Utah TEBenjamin Yurosek, Stanford
OLSataoa Laumea, Utah OLJake Levengood, Oregon St.
OLJoshua Gray, Oregon St. OLJustin Dedich, USC
OLTroy Fautanu, Washington OLJonah Monheim, USC
OLTaliese Fuaga, Oregon St. OLJordan Morgan, Arizona
OLKeaton Bills, Utah OLJarrett Kingston, USC
 First Team Defense  Second Team Defense
DLBralen Trice, Washington DLBrennan Jackson, Washington St.
DLLaiatu Latu, UCLA DLRon Stone Jr., Washington St.
DLBrandon Dorlus, Oregon DLVan Fillinger, Utah
DLJunior Tafuna, Utah DLZion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
LBJackson Sirmon, California LBLander Barton, Utah
LBKarene Reid, Utah LBMason Cobb, USC
LBDarius Muasau, UCLA LBEric Gentry, USC
DBCole Bishop, Utah DBChau Smith-Wade, Washington St.
DBCalen Bullock, USC DBJabbar Muhammad, Washington
DBKitan Oladapo, Oregon St. DBCraig Woodson, California
DBTravis Hunter, Colorado DBEvan Williams, Oregon
 First Team Specialists  Second Team Specialists
PKJoshua Karty, Stanford PKCamden Lewis, Oregon
PEddie Czaplicki, USC PNick Haberer, Washington St.
AP/STTravis Hunter, Colorado APJacob Cowing, Arizona
AP/STRaleek Brown, USC   
RSAnthony Gould, Oregon St. RSSilas Bolden, Oregon St.

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Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

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