Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Preseason previews, lists and predictions have started to flood the interwebs, and Athlon’s Pac-12 Football 2013 All-Conference Team was next in line, as announced on Monday. Four Trojans made the first team, while USC had eight players and nine positions overall get preseason honors from Athlon.

As expected, the first teams included Marqise Lee at wide receiver(and kick returner) and Morgan Breslin at defensive end. The Pac-12′s Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2012, Leonard Williams, also got the honor, as well as Dion Bailey.

Bailey’s listing however, is somewhat of a surprise. Despite being a Freshman All-American linebacker in 2011 and one of USC’s most sound defenders last season, Bailey makes the switch from linebacker to safety this year. While safety is his natural position, Bailey has never suited up at safety in a collegiate game, making it rather bold for Athlon to slot him on the first team over worthy candidates like Washington State’s Deone Bucannon, Arizona State’s Alden Darby and Washington’s Sean Parker.

In addition to the quartet of first teamers, Silas Redd, Max Tuerk, George Uko and Hayes Pullard all made the second team. Tuerk, like Bailey, is making a position change this season, moving from left tackle to left guard. And like Bailey, he got the nod at his new position.

Oct 13, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; USC Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) sacks Washington Huskies quarterback Keith Price (17) during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 13 games played, 64 tackles, 1 interception, 13.5 tackles for loss (46 yards), 8 sacks, 4 passes broken up

What Stood Out: How about FWAA Freshman All-American? Leonard came in 2nd on the Trojans in sacks, 5th in tackles, 2nd in tackles-for-loss, had 2 fumble recoveries & an interception. Williams is only a freshman, too! This kid is an absolute wrecking crew on the defensive line. He did a little bit of everything in 2012 & he will be called upon to improve on that in 2013.

What Needed Work: The penalties! My god, the penalties! Jay Stricherz might still be throwing flags on Leonard Williams. This guy had ALL OF THE PENALTIES in 2012. Discipline will be a huge issue for Williams moving forward. Considering that USC was the 18th most penalized team in the nation (yards) & racked up 808 penalty yards, Williams had better learn to play with more discipline if he expects to retain his starting position moving forward.

Final Word: Stop. Getting. Flagged. In addition to the stats already mentioned, USC was tied for 6th in the nation for total flags, with 101 flags thrown on them. Williams was as much of a part of this as anyone & he had some rather huge blunders. The upside to Williams is definitely there, but the part of his brain that operates like the 2012 Raiders needs to be permanently removed.

November 10, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) runs the ball after intercepting a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

For the second time this postseason, USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams has been recognized for the outstanding effort he gave as a freshman, this time being named to the Football Writers Association of American’s Freshman All-American Team.

The FWAA released their 12th annual freshman All-American team, comprised of 30 players from the 11 FBS conferences and Notre Dame.

Fellow Pac-12ers OL Jake Brendel (UCLA) and OL Tyler Johnstone (Oregon) also made the FWAA All-American Team. Other headliners include Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel, who absolutely took the college football world by storm with the phenomenal season he had under head coach Kevin Sumlin’s direction.

Williams had the best season ever for a true freshman interior lineman with USC, having already racked up 64 tackles, 13 stops behinds the line and 8 sacks on the season, including USC’s appearance in the Sun Bowl. The 6-5, 270-pound rookie is a star in the making, and with DE Morgan Breslin–who also shined for USC this year and is arguably one of the best defensive ends in the nation–also returning, Williams and the Trojan defensive line should have much success in 2013.

For a complete look at the 2012 FWAA Freshman All-American Team, click here.