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.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) slips the tackle of UCLA defensive back Alex Johnson (36) after a catch in the first quarter of the Wildcats’ win over the Bruins on Nov. 4, 2023 at Arizona Stadium.
Four Wildcats earned second-team honors: wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, cornerback Tacario Davis, left guard Wendell Moe and tight end Tanner McLachlan.
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.
