Arizona's Jacob Manu, Jordan Morgan make AP All-Pac-12 First Team; four Wildcats crack second team

Six Arizona Wildcats were named to the 2023 Associated Press All-Pac-12 First and Second Teams, which were released Thursday.

The individual awards were nearly identical to the Pac-12’s official conference-affiliated awards unveiled Tuesday: Oregon star quarterback Bo Nix was named AP Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, while UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu was voted AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Washington’s Kalen DeBoer was voted AP Pac-12 Coach of the Year — DeBoer prevailed over the most likely challenger for the honor in Jedd Fisch of Arizona — and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders received AP Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year.

Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan and linebacker Jacob Manu were placed on the AP All-Pac-12 First Team; they also received all-conference first-team honors earlier this week.

Morgan, a potential first-round NFL Draft pick, only allowed two sacks in 787 snaps this season. The Marana native’s 89.9 pass-blocking grade by Pro Football Focus is the fourth-best nationally amongst tackles with at least 700 snaps played this season.

At weak-side linebacker, Manu led the Wildcats with 108 tackles and is the first Wildcat to have over 100 tackles in a season since Colin Schooler in 2018. Manu is the first UA player to lead the Pac-12 in tackles since Scooby Wright’s All-American season in 2014. Manu also had an interception, 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.

Four Wildcats earned second-team honors: wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, cornerback Tacario Davis, left guard Wendell Moe and tight end Tanner McLachlan.

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McMillan is eighth among FBS wideouts with 1,242 yards, which is the fourth-most by a Wildcat in a single season trailing only Dennis Northcutt, Bobby Wade and Austin Hill. McMillan ended the regular season as the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week following an 11-catch, 266-yard performance in the Territorial Cup game, which is the second-most receiving yards in a game by a Wildcat since Jeremy McDaniel, who had 283 yards against Cal in 1996.

Davis leads the Pac-12 in pass breakups (15) and has one interception in his first season as a starter. Davis’ 81.1 overall defensive grade on PFF is the highest for the Wildcats. He also has an 82.4 pass-coverage grade, which is also a team-best.

In 796 snaps at left guard, Moe, one of the most improved players at the UA this season, had a 84.7 pass-blocking grade, per PFF. Moe only surrendered two sacks this season.

McLachlan has the most receiving yards (500) amongst tight ends in the Pac-12. His 76 catches in two seasons as a Wildcat is the most for a tight end, edging Rob Gronkowski.

No. 14 Arizona will face No. 12 Oklahoma at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Dec. 28 at 7:15 p.m. on ESPN.