Stokes, Waldrop, Donahue Honored as Best in the Pac-10

UCLA’s J.J. Stokes and Terry Donahue have been selected Pacific 10 Conference offensive player and coach of the year, the conference announced Wednesday.

Arizona nose guard Rob Waldrop, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday and might not be able to play in the Fiesta Bowl against Miami on New Year’s Day, was the defensive player of the year.

Stokes was among seven Bruins selected to the all-conference first team. The junior split end from San Diego ranked second in the Pac-10 in both receptions and receiving yardage with 68 catches for 1,005 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The first Bruin to win player-of-the-year honors since 1987, when quarterback Troy Aikman was honored, Stokes is the first UCLA player with 1,000 receiving yards during the regular season.

The other UCLA players on the offensive first team were tackle Vaughn Parker, guard Craig Novitsky and kicker Bjorn Merten. Bruins selected for the defensive first team were linebacker Jamir Miller, defensive back Marvin Goodwin and punter Darren Schager.

Quarterback Rob Johnson, wide receiver Johnnie Morton and linebacker Willie McGinest of USC also were first-team selections.

USC fullback Deon Strother was a second-team selection.