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Three USC Trojans Named to PFF All-America First Team

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney11/30/22ErikTMcKinney
USC Trojans defensive back Calen Bullock (7) celebrates during a game between the California Golden Bears and the USC Trojans on November 5, 2022, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Im
USC Trojans defensive back Calen Bullock (7) celebrates during a game between the California Golden Bears and the USC Trojans (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

College football awards season is fast approaching and USC players and coaches will be heavily involved. One of the first national All-American lists was revealed on Wednesday, with three Trojans landing on the PFF All-America First Team.

Quarterback Caleb Williams made the first of what should be plenty of All-America teams. Offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees and safety Calen Bullock joined Williams on the first team.

Williams has been a star for the Trojans this season. He completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,712 yards and 34 touchdowns against just three interceptions during the regular season. Williams added 351 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. His 44 touchdowns already set the USC single-season record, breaking the old mark of 41. He’s on pace to set the USC single-season record for total yards, passing yards, completions and lowest interception percentage. And he’s five passing touchdowns away from tying Matt Barkley for the single-season school record.

Vorhees has missed some time due to injury this season, but he’s been a standout for a USC offensive line that is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award. USC has rushed for 2,208 yards this season and the Trojans are averaging 5.3 yards per attempt.

Bullock leads the team with five interceptions, one off the national lead. He ranks fifth on the team with 43 tackles and is third with four pass deflections.

More Trojans on Second Team

While those three made the first teams, they weren’t the only Trojans singled out for their play this season.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison and center Brett Neilon made the second team for PFF. Addison is another Trojan who missed time this season but still leads the Trojans with 54 receptions for 810 yards and eight touchdowns. Neilon is another major part of USC’s offensive line and graded out as the No. 2 center in the country for PFF.

Two USC defensive players landed on the second team as well. Defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu will likely make First-Team All-America for other publications. He’s a second-teamer here. He leads the Trojans with 12.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss this season. He’s tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles and has three pass deflections as well.

And where would the USC secondary be without cornerback Mekhi Blackmon this year? The transfer portal addition from Colorado leads the Trojans with 10 pass deflections and is fourth on the team in tackles, with 52. He has three interceptions and a fumble recovery as well.

USC Trojans on the Pac-12 Team

PFF also released its All-Pac-12 team on Wednesday. Nine Trojans landed in that group.

Offensive guard Justin Dedich joined Williams, Addison, Neilon and Vorhees on the offensive side. That gives the Trojans three of the five offensive linemen.

On defense, lineman Tyrone Taleni joined Tuipulotu, Blackmon and Bullock. Taleni has been something of a revelation this year after coming over the Kansas State. He’s still relatively new to football but collected five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss among his 24 stops during the regular season.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

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.

Garry Paskwietz