Offensive Player of the Year: Dante Moore, Oregon

If I were forced to pick the Heisman winner today, I’d lean towards Dante Moore taking home that honor in December.

So, if I think he will be the nation’s best player, I also will make him my SuperWest Offensive Player of the Year for 2026.

Last season he played with a very depleted receiving corps.

This season the Ducks are loaded up at the WR spot, and the QB’s production should be through the roof as he guides one of the most explosive offenses in the country.

Defensive Player of the Year: A’Mauri Washington, Oregon

Washington will be one of the first defenders selected in the NFL Draft next April, but before that happens, he will cause a lot of problems for collegiate offenses this fall.

As a defensive tackle, his numbers might be overshadowed by others and, in many cases, some of his own teammates. But his impact can’t be questioned.

Washington will stuff the run and demand double teams. Last season he amassed backfield stops and should have more this season. His long arms are disruptive in the passing game, as evidenced by his eight passes defended at the line a year ago.

Look for a ton of production from Oregon’s big man in the middle of the defense.

Offensive Freshman of the Year: Mark Bowman, USC

The Trojans lost a lot of pass-catching production from last season; among that production were some pretty good tight ends.

Mark Bowman should step in and produce immediately. He will be a vertical threat up the seam and should play a major role in the USC attack this season.

Defensive Freshman of Year: Derek Coleman-Brusa, Washington

A gifted rush edge from the Seattle area, Coleman-Brusa stayed home and will provide an impact for the Huskies in his first season with Washington.

There is no question he will be disruptive off the edge. An elite talent with a Power Four-ready frame, he should provide a lift on the edge for the Huskies in 2026.

Coach of the Year: Jason Eck, New Mexico

The Lobos could take a lot of teams by surprise in 2026.

After a very successful debut season with New Mexico, Eck and his staff have UNM in position to challenge for the Mountain West conference crown—and with that, perhaps crash the national party with a chance at the Group of Five bid to the playoffs.

This offseason, his name will certainly be mentioned for some bigger jobs and perhaps even at his alma mater, Wisconsin. The Lobo faithful would be wise to enjoy the ride in 2026, as there is no telling how long it might last in Albuquerque.

First Team Offense

QB Dante Moore, Oregon

Perhaps no position among my First Team was more difficult than this one.

As mentioned above, I think Moore might be taking home some hardware in December, but I don’t think he’ll be the only player from the West invited to New York.

When you read my postseason All-SuperWest team, I might not be surprised if Jayden Maiva has this spot. It is that close.

But for now, Moore is my pick as not only the best QB in the West, but also the best at the position in the nation.

RB LJ Martin, BYU

The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year ran for 1,305 yards in 2025, and the production should be huge again in 2026.

Martin has a terrific line to run behind and will be among the best backs in the nation.

The Cougars should be poised for a lot of success and leading the way will be the legs of Martin.

RB Waymond Jordan, USC

Jordan’s season was cut short last year due to an ankle injury in October.

In the six games he played, the back averaged nearly 100 yards per game rushing, and proved to be a threat in the passing game as well.

King Miller will also get a lot of touches, but the one-two punch should keep a now-healthy Jordan fresh and productive.

WR Tanook Hines, USC

The Trojans have lost a lot of talent at receiver, but look for Hines to break out in 2026.

He came on strong at the end of the year, with nine receptions for 172 yards over the last two regular-season games, and then stepped up in the bowl game as the primary target with six receptions for 163 yards against TCU.

The SC offense should be explosive, and Hines will be the top target in the passing game.

WR Omarion Miller, Arizona State

Miller has the size to make all the catches for the Sun Devils.

He will win balls with his size and an unmatched catch radius.

He is not going to run away from a lot of defenders, but he will create matchup issues and break some tackles after the catch.

WR Evan Stewart, Oregon

An injury last June wiped out the entire 2025 season for Stewart, but he is ready to go in 2026.

He has the speed to create issues with his 40 in the 4.3 range as an elite deep threat with NFL-ready ball control who will win balls by catching them high.

Look for the chemistry with Dante Moore to pick up again and the Ducks’ attack to be high-flying with a healthy Stewart in the mix.

TE Jamari Johnson, Oregon

The Ducks just continue to reload.

Kenyon Sadiq has moved on to the NFL, but Jamari Johnson is set to be among the best TEs in the nation in 2026—and he could prove even better than his former teammate.

Johnson runs fluid routes and is a dangerous runner after the catch. At 6-foot-5, he is a huge target with incredible athleticism.

OL Bruce Mitchell, BYU

Mitchell will be among the best linemen in the Big 12 this season and should help the Cougars put up big numbers on the offensive side of the ball.

On the interior of the line, he will help lead the way for LJ Martin and keep Bear Bachmeier upright.

OL John Mills, Washington

Big John Mills might have the best hair in the nation , and he will be among the best linemen in the Big Ten.

Best of all, the second-year lineman might only be scratching the surface of his talent.

He started 11 games in his debut season in Seattle and can play at either guard or tackle with equal success.

OL Iapani Laloulu, Oregon

An All-American and Outland semifinalist in 2025, Laloulu will look for even more production in 2026.

Among the best centers in the nation last season, he allowed just 11 pressures and one sack in 442 pass-blocking opportunities.

OL Kyle Sfarcioc, BYU

Sfarcioc made the jump to D1 last year and excelled for the Cougars.

Look for him to have even more success in 2026.

Paired up with Bruce Mitchell, the Cougs might have the best group of interior linemen in the nation.

OL Alexander Doost, Arizona

Last season, the Wildcats ran the ball for nearly 2,000 yards, and Doost was a huge part of paving the way for that success on the ground.

He is adept in the pass game as well; on 529 pass-blocking snaps in 2025, he allowed just one sack, one hit, and only 11 hurries.

In his career at Arizona, he has allowed just four sacks on over 1,200 snaps.

First Team Defense

DL A’Mauri Washington, Oregon

Washington is the best defender on the best team in the West.

He will demand double teams and open up rush lanes for teammates while being disruptive himself.

Last season, he was a force in the backfield with 4.5 TFLs despite constant doubles. He also gets his big paws in the passing lanes.

DL Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

Uiagalelei is a force off the edge and will spend a lot of time in opponents’ backfields in 2026.

He collected six sacks and 9.5 TFLs in 2025 and could spend even more time in opposing backfields this fall.

Uiagalelei has the skills to drop into coverage or stuff the run in addition to rushing the passer.

DL Jayden Virgin-Morgan, Boise State

The edge rusher has been a sack machine for the Broncos over the last two seasons, collecting 16 sacks and 28.5 TFLs.

Expect the fifth-year player to take the new Pac-12 by storm and create havoc for opposing QBs.

DL Keanu Tanuvasa, BYU

Tanuvasa looks like he is ready to have a breakout season for what should be a dynamic BYU defense.

He will anchor the line and should make a lot of plays in the backfield.

Tanuvasa can stop the run and put a lot of pressure on QBs.

LB Cade Uluave, BYU

The Cougars under Kalani Sitake are turning into a bit of Linebacker-U.

BYU just keeps cranking out playmakers in the middle of the defense, and in Ulave they pick up a transfer ready to carry on that moniker.

Ulave was an impact player for Cal even as a freshman. Now, as a senior, his game is proven and refined. He should be a huge cog in what will be a tough BYU defense.

LB Jaxton Eck, New Mexico

Eck was the Co-Mountain West Defender of the Year in 2025, and figures to have another huge season in 2026.

The Lobos will be among the favorites in the conference this season, and Eck will be a playmaker on defense once again.

He was among the national leaders in tackles per game last fall, and he should repeat as a playmaker all over the field this season.

LB Isaiah Glasker, BYU

Glasker has been a stalwart in the middle of the Cougars’ defense since stepping foot on campus in Provo.

A do-it-all linebacker, he can create problems in the backfield, chase down running backs in the open field, and drop into coverage and be a ballhawk against the pass.

His five career interceptions and 10 career passes defended both rank among the most in the nation for active LBs.

DB Jontez Williams, USC

Williams is coming off a knee injury that cut his 2025 season short.

He comes to USC after three years with Iowa State and could be a shutdown corner.

He won’t get beat on the deep ball and has the skills to make plays on the outside.

DB Faletau Satuala, BYU

Satuala was a mainstay in the backend of the Cougars’ defense last year, finishing the year with seven passes defended and three interceptions.

He also created plays in the backfield with 7.5 TFLs, a sack, and a pair of forced fumbles.

His ball-hawking ability makes him dangerous to throw against, while he has shown an ability to step up and make tackles.

DB Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon

A Freshmen All-American in 2025, Finney will be even more productive in 2026.

There was no learning curve as a true freshman, as he started all 15 games for UO and led the Ducks with three interceptions and eight pass breakups while recording 42 total tackles.

He also had 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Finney’s second year in Eugene figures to be just as huge.

DB Koi Perich, Oregon

For the second straight season, Oregon picked up a transformative transfer at safety from a fellow Big Ten program.

Last season it was Dylan Thieneman; this season it is Koi Perich.

An excellent tackler at Minnesota, Perich should make an immediate impact for the Ducks and could challenge for the title of Big Ten Defender of the Year.

First Team Specialists

K Kian Afrookhteh, Utah State

Afrookhteh has a big leg and connected on four of five field goals of 40+ yards for Coastal Carolina in 2025.

He should provide the Aggies with the comfort of knowing they can put points on the board anytime they reach the opponents’ 35.

P Hunter Green, Washington

A year ago, Green had the sixth-best average in the nation as he punted for 46.96 yards per boot for San Diego State. That average ranks third in the nation among returning punters.

Last season he had 22 punts of 50+ yards and had 26 punts downed inside the 20.

He could be a weapon for the Huskies this season with his ability to flip the field.

RET Tony Freeman, Washington State

Freeman was fifth in the nation in 2025 in punt return average.

An explosive playmaker in the open field, Freeman will be among the best in the Pac-12 and the nation in returns and will be a home run threat for Wazzu.

AP Wayne Knight, UCLA

Perhaps no player in the nation is as versatile as Wayne Knight. He will provide the kind of production that has been missing from the Bruins in recent seasons.

Last season at JMU, he tallied 1,373 yards on the ground and added 40 receptions, proving to be a real dual threat out of the backfield.

In addition to his 1700+ scrimmage yards, he had 270 return yards in 2025, averaging nine yards per punt return and 22.3 per kickoff return.

Second Team Offense

QB Jayden Maiava, USC
RB Lucky Sutton, San Diego State
RB Wayshawn Parker, Utah
WR Dakorien Moore, Oregon
WR Dezmen Roebuck, Washington
WR Danny Scudero, Colorado
TE Zach Atkins, Colorado
OL Dave Iuli, Oregon
OL Alani Noa, USC
OL Maki Stewart, Arizona State
OL Keith Olson, Utah
OL Leon Bell, Colorado

Second Team Defense

DL Sahir West, UCLA
DL Bear Alexander, Oregon
DL CJ Fite, Arizona State
DL Deijon Laffitte, Fresno State
LB Taye Brown, Arizona
LB Gideon Lampron, Colorado
LB Tano Letuli, San Diego State
DB Evan Johnson, BYU
DB Jay’Vion Cole, Arizona
DB Raider Damuni, BYU
DB Elijah Davis, Utah

Second Team Specialists

K Joe McFadden, Nevada
P Bart Edmiston, Wyoming
RET Mana Carvalho, Utah
AP Jaren Hamilton, Arizona State

Third Team Offense

QB Devon Dampier, Utah
RB Jordon Davison, Oregon
RB Jai’Den Thomas, UNLV
WR Braden Pagan, Utah
WR Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii
WR Reed Harris, Arizona State
TE Juice Vereen, Colorado State
OL Edward Fonua, Fresno State
OL Jimmy Liston, Utah State
OL Malik Aliane, New Mexico
OL Roger Carreon, Boise State
OL Austin Boyd, UNLV

Third Team Defense

DL Mays Pese, Arizona
DL Dylan Labarbera, Nevada
DL Jide Abasiri, USC
DL Linus Zunk, Washington State
LB Ethan Stuhlsatz, Wyoming
LB Harrison Taggart, Utah State
LB Johnathan Hall, Utah
DB Avery Helm, UNLV
DB Trey Glasper, Oregon State
DB Jayden Mickey, Boise State
DB Ashton Stamps, Arizona State

Third Team Specialists

K Jack Stevens, Washington State
P AJ Windsor, Oregon State
RET Caden High, Stanford
AP Rayshawn Luke, Fresno State