USC’s Jackson proves to be a triple threat in awards too
Cornerback and return specialist is Pac-12 defensive player of the year.
Adoree’ Jackson accomplished a second triple in four days Tuesday when the Pac-12 Conference announced the USC junior was the league’s defensive player of the year as well as firstteam all-conference as a defensive back and return specialist.
On Saturday, Jackson scored three touchdowns in a game against Notre Dame — on a punt return, a kickoff return and by gathering in a short pass and sprinting 52 yards.
USC placed three players in four spots on the first team — Jackson taking two places — and quarterback Sam Darnold, who received honorable mention, was chosen freshman offensive player of the year. UCLA had three first-team selections in a vote of head coaches.
No. 4 Washington had a conference-high nine players make first team, including quarterback Jake Browning, the offensive player of the year. Mike MacIntyre of Colorado was coach of the year.
Also Tuesday, Jackson was chosen as the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week, becoming the first player to win the award three times in a season since Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o in 2012. Te’o was the last defensive player to be a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing second. Jackson has made a late run as Heisman contender this season.
USC’s other first-team all-conference selections were its two offensive tackles, Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler.
UCLA’s first-team players were offensive lineman Scott Quessenberrry, defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley and linebacker Jayon Brown.
USC running back Ronald Jones II, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, guard Damien Mama, linebacker Cameron Smith and defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu made the second team. Tight end Nate Iese, offensive lineman Conor McDermott and linebacker Kenny Young made the second team from UCLA.
Tu’ikolovatu, a graduate student, transferred to USC in the off-season from Utah, which was loaded at the defensive tackle position. However, Tu’ikolovatu earned placement on the all-conference team ahead of all of his former defensive tackle teammates. Utah’s Hunter Dimick, a defensive end, was selected to the first team.