Utah senior linebacker Gionni Paul had a strong case to win Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, but apparently, his case was not strong enough because Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner won the award instead. Paul finished the year with 109 total tackles (second in the conference behind Stanford's Blake Martinez), four interceptions (which was tied for third in the conference), 12.5 tackles for loss (sixth in the conference), 3.0 sacks (tied for No. 39 in the Pac-12), two forced fumbles (tied for No. 4 in the Pac-12), three fumble recoveries (tied for first in the Pac-12), and a 54-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
Gionni Paul Loses Out Defensive Player of the Year to DeForest Buckner
