Lee headlines Pac-12 awards for Trojans


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Sophomore wide receiver Marqise Lee and freshman defensive end Leonard Williams received recognition from the Pac-12 yesterday, with Lee winning Offensive Player of the Year in the conference and Williams taking home the Freshman Defensive Player of the Year award.

The awards, in conjunction with All-Conference First Team recognition given to Lee and senior center Khaled Holmes, are the highlights of a 7-5 season which began with BCS Championship aspirations. All-Conference Second Team recipients include junior wide receiver Robert Woods, junior defensive end Morgan Breslin, senior safety T.J. McDonald and junior cornerback Nickell Robey. Lee also was recognized on the second team as a return specialist.

Honorable mentions were given to 13 Trojans, most notably quarterback Matt Barkley, who entered the season as a Heisman frontrunner. Others include sophomore linebacker Dion Bailey, junior running back Silas Redd and sophomore defensive lineman George Uko.

Lee was given the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year award in lieu of his record-setting season, establishing new Pac-12 marks in receptions and receiving yards. He hauled in 112 passes for 1,680 yards, averaging 140 yards a game. He is also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the top wide receiver in the country. He ranked third in the FBS in 215.67 all-purpose yards this season as well, racking up an additional 85 yards a game in special teams returns and rushing.