Everett native Lucas named preseason All-Pac-12 1st team
Published 1:30 am Thursday, November 5, 2020
Herald news services
Washington State junior offensive tackle Abraham Lucas, who starred at Archbishop Murphy High School, was named to the preseason All-Pac-12 first team announced Thursday.
Lucas is in the running to be the conference’s best offensive tackle this season, especially after Oregon’s Penei Sewell opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. The Everett native hasn’t missed a start in two seasons and was once again named to the watch list for the Outland Trophy, given to the country’s top offensive lineman.
Lucas was joined by two other Washington State players on the first team: junior running back Max Borghi and junior kicker Blake Mazza.
Two Washington standouts — defensive back Elijah Molden and left tackle Jaxson Kirkland — landed on the first team.
A 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior nickelback, Molden led the Huskies in tackles (79), pass breakups (13), interceptions (4) and forced fumbles (3) last season. The 6-7, 295-pound Kirkland, meanwhile, is shifting to left tackle after starting 25 games in the last two seasons at right guard.
Huskies tight end Cade Otton, outside linebacker Ryan Bowman and placekicker Peyton Henry earned second-team honors. Center Luke Wattenberg and cornerback Trent McDuffie were honorable mentions.
The Cougars had a handful of other preseason all-conference selections. Redshirt senior linebacker Jahad Woods was the only WSU player named to the second team, on defense, while right guard Josh Watson, a Cascade High School graduate, punter Oscar Draguicevich III and kick/punt returner Travell Harris were all named honorable mention.
In addition, Cougars guard Josh Watson, a Cascade High School graduate, was named honorable mention.
The Pac-12’s other preseason first team offensive selections included: QB Kedon Slovis (USC), RB CJ Verdell (Oregon), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC), WR Tyler Vaughns (USC), TE Brant Kuithe (Utah), OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC), OL Drew Dalman (Stanford), and OL Nick Ford (Utah).
The list of first team defensive selections includes: DL Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), DL Mustafa Johnson (Colorado), DL Jordon Scott (Oregon), DL Jermayne Lole (ASU), LB Hamilcar Rashed Jr. (OSU), LB Nate Landman (Colorado), LB Drake Jackson (USC), DB Camryn Bynum (Cal), DB Talanoa Hufanga (USC) and DB Deommodore Lenoir (Oregon).
Aside from Borghi and Mazza, the other Preseason All-Pac-12 First Team specialist is Arizona State punter Michael Turk.
