Kyle Whittingham, Devin Lloyd, Junior Tafuna Earn Pac-12 Postseason Awards
Dec 7, 2021, 1:35 PM
Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff stands next to MVP linebacker Devin Lloyd #0 and wide receiver Britain Covey #18 of the Utah Utes as they celebrate the team's 38-10 victory over the Oregon Ducks to win the Pac-12 Conference championship game at Allegiant Stadium on December 3, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah is well represented in the Pac-12 Player and Coach of the Year honors that were announced on Tuesday afternoon.
The Pac-12 announced the winners of their five individual awards and three individuals from Utah football were honored. Kyle Whittingham is the Pac-12 Coach of the Year for the second time in his career with 2019 being the first time.
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 𝐏𝐚𝐜-𝟏𝟐 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫, presented by @Nextiva: Kyle Whittingham. 🙌
Full release ➡️ https://t.co/YK34g7E35K#GoUtes | @Utah_Football | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/wmCw94ta2f
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 7, 2021
Linebacker Devin Lloyd was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career. Lloyd finished the regular season with 106 tackles, including 22 tackles for loss, which is second-most in the country.
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 𝐏𝐚𝐜-𝟏𝟐 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: Devin Lloyd. 🙌
Full release ➡️ https://t.co/YK34g7E35K #GoUtes | @Utah_Football | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/AifsZsxqF4
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 7, 2021
Defensive tackle Junior Tafuna was named the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 4.5 sacks in his 10 starts this season.
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 𝐏𝐚𝐜-𝟏𝟐 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫, presented by @Nextiva: Junior Tafuna. 🙌
Full release ➡️ https://t.co/YK34g7E35K#GoUtes | @Utah_Football | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/yTCHNZDLWE
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 7, 2021
Offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea was listed as an honorable mention for the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year award. Safety Cole Bishop was named an honorable mention for the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year award.
USC wide receiver Drake London received the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, while Washington State quarterback Jayden de Laura earned Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
