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The USC Trojans were the most-represented unit on the First-Team All-Pac-12 selections on Tuesday. Five different Trojans were named to the First-Team, headlined by signal-caller Kedon Slovis on offense and Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year Talanoa Hufanga on defense.
Slovis was joined by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Alijah Vera-Tucker on offense while Hufanga was joined by Marlon Tuipulotu on defense.
Drake London, Tyler Vaughns, Drake Jackson and Chris Steele were named to the second-team on offense and defense, respectively.
More than a handful of Trojans were selected to the honorable mention category, as well, including Nick Figueroa, Olaijah Griffin, Ben Griffiths, Parker Lewis, Jalen McKenzie, Brett Neilon and Isaiah Pola-Mao.
As mentioned, this list was headlined by Hufanga and Slovis, as we all know how well Slovis played when he needed to. He’ll be back next season but Hufanga may have played his way into a high draft pick with his play this season.
Hufanga, a preseason first-team selection, led all Pac-12 defenders with four interceptions on the year (returned for 90 total yards) as well as 40 solo tackles. He is the first Trojan to win the Pac-12’s top defensive honor since Adoree’ Jackson in 2016.
On Dec. 12 vs. rival UCLA, he registered 17 total tackles, two for a loss, one forced fumble and one interception, the most tackles in a game by a USC player since he had 18 last year against the Bruins.
Named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, presented by Nextiva, following his performance against UCLA.
Had four-straight games with an interception this season, the first Trojan with an interception in four-straight since Sammy Knight in 1996 and the first Pac-12 player to do so since WASHINGTON STATE’s Deone Bucannon in 2013.
His 62 total tackles on the year ranked third-most in the Pac-12 and led all defensive backs. He had 10-or-more tackles in four of six games.
Congratulations to all the Trojans on the list! FIGHT ON!