Best Position Group Award
Winner: Defensive Secondary (Offensive line also received votes)
(Previous Winner: Defensive Secondary)
Zachary Neel: I’d give this award to the offensive line, personally. What they’ve been able to do with the amount of turnover we’ve seen this season is spectacular. They’ve been missing numerous starters for stretches this season, including Alex Forsyth, Ryan Walk, and Jackson Powers-Johnson. Despite that, they are still one of the best groups in the Pac-12, and they’ve done a great job of opening up holes for Travis Dye and keeping Anthony Brown clean. Hats off to Alex Mirabal and his group.
Don Smalley: Secondary. Verone McKinley’s conference-leading five interceptions are just one part of why this group is really good. Mykael Wright, Jordan Happle, DJ James, Twikweze Bridges, and others proved that opposing quarterbacks throw at their own peril.
Andy Patton: Has to be the secondary. McKinley is elite, but Mykael Wright, DJ James, and Twikweze Bridges were all awesome as well and Bennett Williams – prior to his injury – was having a career year. If he’s back for the Rose Bowl, look out.