Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, which also named him a first-team All-Pac-12 selection at both defensive tackle and defensive end Thursday morning.
Mata’afa’s nomination to two positions on the All-Pac-12 first team defense was not a mistake, according to the AP. Mata’afa had the majority votes at both positions by a landslide. The Cougars’ junior pass rushing extraordinary from Lahaina, Hawaii finished the regular season as the Pac-12 leader in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (21.5)
Mata’afa was also the only WSU player named a first team All-American by Sports Illustrated Thursday morning.