The Pac-12 has lost some luster over the past couple of seasons as
they’ve cannibalized each other, good coaches have left, and poor hires have
been made. The most recent set of hires however give some hope of a rebound for
a conference that already has a geographical disadvantage when it comes to
attracting positive attention.
The average
power rating for the Pac-12 squads is 9.01.
The average
power rating for the Pac-12 North squads is 9.96.
The average
power rating for the Pac-12 South squads is 8.06.
Team
|
Adj.
2017
W/L
|
%
Yards
Ret.
|
%
Touches
Ret.
|
%
Line
Starts
Ret.
|
%
Tackles
Ret.
|
%
Passes
Def.
Re.t
|
247
Sports
Score
|
Total
Points
|
North Division
|
||||||||
Stanford
|
20.5
|
83.71%
|
82.17%
|
79.49%
|
59.62%
|
48.48%
|
233.95
|
24.06
|
Washington
|
14.96
|
78.54%
|
77.28%
|
68.09%
|
70.58%
|
74.47%
|
222.8
|
21.81
|
Washington State
|
12.67
|
42.56%
|
41.70%
|
32.28%
|
62.43%
|
81.48%
|
180.97
|
10.75
|
Oregon
|
6.11
|
68.00%
|
64.53%
|
64.49%
|
67.07%
|
57.14%
|
230.97
|
8.7
|
California
|
1.01
|
89.52%
|
86.70%
|
100.00%
|
68.57%
|
71.79%
|
186.76
|
7.41
|
Oregon State
|
-9.39
|
42.65%
|
39.16%
|
72.16%
|
68.45%
|
73.68%
|
176.54
|
-12.95
|
South Division
|
||||||||
USC
|
23.09
|
28.70%
|
29.66%
|
55.86%
|
71.05%
|
69.57%
|
291.34
|
22.28
|
UCLA
|
8.79
|
42.47%
|
49.25%
|
23.33%
|
92.24%
|
75.61%
|
250.18
|
9.16
|
Arizona State
|
11.36
|
78.84%
|
68.09%
|
62.99%
|
42.61%
|
21.70%
|
214.38
|
8.33
|
Arizona
|
3.98
|
70.75%
|
63.92%
|
42.21%
|
78.43%
|
81.82%
|
184.58
|
639
|
Utah
|
2.53
|
70.17%
|
72.73%
|
58.06%
|
62.45%
|
61.70%
|
199.01
|
4.65
|
Colorado
|
-0.2
|
61.10%
|
56.64%
|
35.66%
|
64.92%
|
58.06%
|
178.08
|
-2.43
|
The headliners are the usual suspects in 2018. USC is the class of
the south, Washington again should be a title contender under Chris Peterson,
and Stanford returns most of its offense and has recruited at a high level over
the past four years. Outside of the big three (for 2018), Oregon brings back a
lot of experience and a possible top overall pick in the 2018 draft. Cal brings
back no less than 67% of last year’s production at each of the five categories.
Wazzu brings back, dare I say it, a defense and the south division brings back
a lot of fire power. All-in-all the Pac-12 looks primed for a bounce back in
2018, but they may devour each other without gaining the public perception
bump.
Top Returning
Offensive Producers (Above Average Production)
Quarterbacks (Minimum 120 Pass
Attempts)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
AY/A
|
AY/R
|
Comp%
|
Sack%
|
Justin Herbert
|
3
|
ORE
|
78
|
225
|
9.94
|
9.91
|
67.48%
|
4.60%
|
Jake Browning
|
4
|
WASH
|
74
|
210
|
8.51
|
8.62
|
68.45%
|
5.40%
|
Khalil Tate
|
3
|
ARIZ
|
74
|
215
|
8.14
|
12.23
|
62.01%
|
6.80%
|
Manny Wilkins
|
4
|
ASU
|
75
|
200
|
8.04
|
6.67
|
63.41%
|
8.90%
|
K.J. Costello
|
3
|
STAN
|
77
|
217
|
7.88
|
9.11
|
58.77%
|
3.70%
|
Steven Montez
|
3
|
COLO
|
77
|
225
|
7.74
|
6.27
|
60.48%
|
8.50%
|
Tyler Huntley
|
3
|
Utah
|
73
|
190
|
7.21
|
6.02
|
63.78%
|
8.80%
|
Ross Bowers
|
3
|
CAL
|
74
|
200
|
6.17
|
5.55
|
59.00%
|
6.90%
|
Jake Luton
|
4
|
OrSt
|
79
|
234
|
5.56
|
5.09
|
61.48%
|
4.30%
|
Running Backs (Minimum 12 Touches)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tou.
|
AY/R
|
AY/T
|
RBP>12
|
Myles Gaskin
|
4
|
WASH
|
70
|
191
|
241
|
7.96
|
12.08
|
25.28
|
Bryce Love
|
4
|
STAN
|
70
|
196
|
269
|
9.38
|
3.3
|
24.68
|
Zack Moss
|
3
|
Utah
|
70
|
210
|
245
|
6.27
|
6.57
|
18.14
|
Patrick Laird
|
4
|
CAL
|
72
|
200
|
237
|
6.64
|
6.09
|
17.98
|
J.J. Taylor
|
2
|
ARIZ
|
66
|
180
|
159
|
6.39
|
6.74
|
12.02
|
Cameron Scarlett
|
4
|
STAN
|
73
|
213
|
97
|
5.89
|
19.33
|
10.47
|
James Williams
|
3
|
WAZZ
|
71
|
195
|
163
|
4.49
|
6.75
|
9.62
|
Bolu Olorunfunmi
|
4
|
UCLA
|
70
|
215
|
127
|
5.62
|
7.87
|
9.16
|
Soso Jamabo
|
4
|
UCLA
|
74
|
210
|
107
|
6.18
|
8.5
|
8.44
|
Tony Brooks-James
|
4
|
ORE
|
69
|
175
|
108
|
5.75
|
7.78
|
7.89
|
Wide Receivers (Minimum 18 Targets)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tar.
|
AY/T
|
Cat%
|
WRP>18
|
N'Keal Harry
|
3
|
ASU
|
76
|
216
|
120
|
10.8
|
68.33%
|
15.48
|
Tyler Vaughns
|
2
|
USC
|
74
|
185
|
75
|
12.07
|
76.00%
|
13.74
|
Kyle Williams
|
3
|
ASU
|
70
|
180
|
87
|
10.32
|
75.86%
|
12.98
|
JJ Arcega-Whiteside
|
4
|
STAN
|
75
|
222
|
75
|
12.73
|
64.00%
|
12.2
|
Shun Brown
|
4
|
ARIZ
|
69
|
177
|
56
|
12.3
|
76.79%
|
11.76
|
Tony Ellison
|
4
|
ARIZ
|
69
|
177
|
56
|
12.3
|
76.79%
|
11.76
|
Kanawai Noa
|
3
|
CAL
|
72
|
185
|
87
|
9.94
|
64.37%
|
10.61
|
Vic Wharton III
|
4
|
CAL
|
71
|
200
|
111
|
8.72
|
60.36%
|
10.4
|
Renard Bell
|
2
|
WAZZ
|
68
|
162
|
57
|
10.72
|
71.93%
|
9.7
|
Raelon Singleton
|
4
|
Utah
|
75
|
212
|
56
|
10.86
|
64.29%
|
8.69
|
Jalen Harvey
|
4
|
ASU
|
73
|
203
|
53
|
11.16
|
64.15%
|
8.62
|
Theo Howard
|
3
|
UCLA
|
72
|
180
|
84
|
7.99
|
66.67%
|
8.62
|
Juwann Winfree
|
4
|
COLO
|
75
|
210
|
28
|
12.99
|
75.00%
|
8.5
|
Dillon Mitchell
|
3
|
ORE
|
73
|
185
|
64
|
9.28
|
65.63%
|
8.23
|
Isaiah Johnson-Mack
|
3
|
WAZZ
|
75
|
216
|
90
|
7.24
|
66.67%
|
8.19
|
Brenden Schooler
|
3
|
ORE
|
74
|
195
|
27
|
12.29
|
74.07%
|
7.82
|
On offense the QB situation is well entrenched in the Pac-12. As
noted above Justin Herbert is a Heisman candidate, a top of the draft pick, and
a well-rounded athlete. Herbert was as effective on the ground as he was in the
air in 2017 (9.94 AY/A and 9.91 AY/R) and was second only to Jake Browning in
completion percentage (67.48% to 68.45%) in a conference that had 7 passers hit
the 60% mark. Of those seven passers that hit the 60% comp% mark Herbert,
Browning, Tate, and Wilkins where all above 8 AY/A. Of those four Tate stands
out for his success on the ground. At 12.23 AY/R Tate would be special when
compared to a group of running backs. Tate needs to refine himself a bit more
in the passing game, but his sophomore breakout certainly points to a special
ability to run an efficient offense. Manny Wilkins is the last of the highlighted
group of QBs, but Wilkins will need to work on his ability to avoid sacks in
his senior season. If he can stay upright, not all his fault by the way, he has
the skill to change the narrative on a game on a dime. Outside of the big four
K.J. Costello and a smattering of other junior QBs will need to be more
efficient in 2018 to make the Pac-12 the QB conference of the year. Browning is
joined in his backfield by Myles Gaskin. Gaskin was prolific but overshadowed
in 2017 by Bryce Love (STAN). Gaskin was less efficient on the ground (7.96 to
9.38 AY/R) but was 4 times as productive on double the targets as Love (12.08
to 3.3 AY/T). The battle for running back production supremacy in the Pac-12
will be exciting and entertaining between Gaskin and Love in 2018. For Browning
that’s about where his returning help ends. Outside of TE Hunter Bryant who
produced good numbers (12.51 AY/T) on 28 targets last season, there aren’t any
other Washington producers on the three skill position producer lists. It’s a similar
but more optimistic story for Herbert. He does have at least one player in each
skill position producers but none of them are on the elite end. At RB, Tony
Brooks-James was solid (5.75 AY/R and 7.78 AY/T) on 108 touches. At WR, Dillon
Mitchell (9.28 AY/T) and Brenden Schooler (12.29) were productive on a combined
91 targets, as was TE Jacob Breeland (14.36 AY/T) on his 29 targets. Costello
and Love are joined in Stanford’s offense by WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside and TE
Kaden Smith. Arcega-Whiteside is a big bodied receiver, 222 pounds, who caught
64% of his targets for 12.73 AY/T. Smith for his part nearly matched
Arcega-Whiteside per target but caught just 56% of those targets. Behind love
at RB is Cameron Scarlet and his absurd 19.33 AY/T and 5.89 AY/R. He and Love
are perfect compliments. ASU and Wilkins don’t bring much back at RB but boy
are they set up for an explosive passing game. N’Keal Harry (Jr.), Kyle
Williams (Jr.), and Jalen Harvey (Sr.) are all back. Harry caught 68.33% of his
120 targets for a respectable 10.8 AY/T, Williams caught 75% of his 87 targets
for 10.32 AY/T, and Harvey was the most explosive with 11.16 AY/T on his 53
targets. Joining Tate at Arizona is sophomore J.J. Taylor who was good in both
the run and pass with adjusted per rates above 6. If he can continue to be
efficient in his second season next to Tate who has a pair of senior receivers
returning as well. That pair of receivers, Shun Brown and Tony Ellison combined
for 1,000+ yards and 11 TD on 115 targets. If Arizona can make the passing game
even more of a threat there’s experience to help Tate make this offense truly
special. Tyler Huntley was good but not
great last year for Utah (7.21 AY/A and 6.02 AY/R), but the special player in
the backfield, last year, was sophomore Zack Moss. Moss got 245 touches last
season and took both targets and rushes for 6+ adjusted yards. The only other
Ute on these lists is senior WR Raelon Singletary who took his 56 targets for
10.86 AY/T. The last RB we’re going to specifically touch on is Cal Bear
Patrick Laird. Laird had 237 touches, was also a part of the 6+/6+ club and as
a senior is set to lead an offense with a quartet of juniors and seniors. The
juniors, QB Ross Bowers (6.17 AY/A and 5.55 AY/R) and WR Kanawai Noa (9.94 AY/T
on 87 targets), were good if unspectacular and ditto for senior WR Vic Wharton
III (8.72 AY/T on 111 targets). At Tight End we need to touch on UCLA’s Caleb
Wilson and Oregon State’s Noah Togai. Wilson caught an astounding 79% of his
targets and had an AY/T of 10.61, while Togai is the leading target getter
returning (54) of the tight ends and had a respectable 9.25 AY/T.
Top Returning
Defensive Producers (Above Average Production)
Interior Defensive Linemen (Minimum
12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Pts
|
Christian Rector
|
3
|
USC
|
76
|
275
|
28
|
11
|
7.5
|
0
|
153.13
|
Malik Dorton
|
4
|
USC
|
74
|
280
|
17.5
|
3.5
|
2.5
|
5
|
116.75
|
Jaelan Phillips
|
2
|
UCLA
|
77
|
255
|
18.5
|
7
|
3.5
|
2
|
113.75
|
Greg Gaines
|
4
|
WASH
|
74
|
322
|
23
|
5
|
2.5
|
3
|
104.13
|
Chigozie Nnoruka
|
3
|
UCLA
|
74
|
295
|
42
|
8.5
|
2
|
0
|
94
|
Nnamdi Oguayo
|
3
|
WAZZ
|
75
|
237
|
27
|
7
|
4
|
0
|
93.75
|
Marcus Moore
|
2
|
UCLA
|
74
|
250
|
16.5
|
5.5
|
1
|
1
|
68.88
|
Jaylen Johnson
|
4
|
WASH
|
75
|
298
|
13.5
|
4
|
3.5
|
0
|
62.5
|
Jovan Swann
|
3
|
STAN
|
74
|
263
|
18.5
|
3.5
|
1.5
|
1
|
60.75
|
Finton Connolly
|
3
|
ARIZ
|
77
|
275
|
15
|
4.5
|
2.5
|
0
|
59.13
|
Jordon Scott
|
2
|
ORE
|
73
|
333
|
27
|
4.5
|
2
|
0
|
58.25
|
Kalani Vakameilalo
|
4
|
OrSt
|
75
|
316
|
15
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
56.25
|
Edge Rushers (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Pts
|
Jalen Jelks
|
4
|
ORE
|
78
|
245
|
46.5
|
15
|
6.5
|
7
|
230.72
|
Kylan Wilborn
|
2
|
ARIZ
|
74
|
245
|
30.5
|
9.5
|
7.5
|
1
|
211.5
|
Justin Hollins
|
4
|
ORE
|
77
|
238
|
43.5
|
12
|
3.5
|
1
|
203.44
|
Bradlee Anae
|
3
|
Utah
|
75
|
265
|
32
|
10
|
7
|
0
|
187
|
Tevis Bartlett
|
4
|
WASH
|
74
|
234
|
41
|
12
|
4
|
3
|
171.06
|
Ryan Bowman
|
2
|
WASH
|
72
|
262
|
26
|
9.5
|
5.5
|
0
|
134.91
|
Cameron Goode
|
2
|
CAL
|
75
|
220
|
33
|
5.5
|
1.5
|
4
|
123.84
|
Alex Funches
|
4
|
CAL
|
74
|
235
|
31
|
11
|
4
|
0
|
119.97
|
La'Mar Winston Jr
|
3
|
ORE
|
74
|
214
|
38
|
8
|
2
|
3
|
117
|
Off-Ball Linebackers (Minimum 12
Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Pts
|
Troy Dye
|
3
|
ORE
|
76
|
224
|
84.5
|
13.5
|
4
|
5
|
148.28
|
Colin Schooler
|
2
|
ARIZ
|
72
|
226
|
81
|
13.5
|
4
|
3
|
136.34
|
Cameron Smith
|
4
|
USC
|
74
|
250
|
86
|
11
|
0.5
|
4
|
114.33
|
Ben Burr-Kirven
|
4
|
WASH
|
72
|
222
|
68
|
4
|
1
|
6
|
107.76
|
Jahad Woods
|
2
|
WAZZ
|
72
|
214
|
48.5
|
11
|
2.5
|
1
|
97.74
|
Tony Fields II
|
2
|
ARIZ
|
73
|
225
|
84.5
|
7.5
|
5
|
2
|
89.86
|
Jordan Kumaszyk
|
4
|
CAL
|
75
|
240
|
57
|
6
|
3.5
|
2
|
81.97
|
Jonathan Willis
|
4
|
OrSt
|
73
|
235
|
52
|
6
|
3
|
2
|
79.34
|
Drew Lewis
|
4
|
COLO
|
74
|
230
|
75
|
5.5
|
2
|
2
|
72.54
|
John Houston Jr
|
3
|
USC
|
75
|
210
|
62
|
3.5
|
1.5
|
5
|
71.93
|
Rick Gamboa
|
4
|
COLO
|
72
|
240
|
69
|
2.5
|
1
|
5
|
69.28
|
Justus Rogers
|
2
|
WAZZ
|
74
|
225
|
35
|
6.5
|
3
|
0
|
51.23
|
Jordan Iosefa
|
3
|
USC
|
74
|
225
|
25.5
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
50.68
|
Nate Landman
|
2
|
COLO
|
75
|
215
|
13
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
49.48
|
Cornerbacks (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Pts
|
Lorenzo Burns
|
2
|
ARIZ
|
70
|
173
|
70
|
3.5
|
1
|
12
|
102.25
|
Jace Whittaker
|
4
|
ARIZ
|
71
|
182
|
43
|
2
|
0
|
16
|
90.5
|
Ugochukwu Amadi
|
4
|
ORE
|
69
|
197
|
37
|
2.5
|
1.5
|
11
|
77.88
|
Jack Jones
|
3
|
USC
|
71
|
170
|
36
|
0
|
0
|
11
|
76.5
|
Byron Murphy
|
2
|
WASH
|
71
|
175
|
15
|
3
|
1
|
10
|
74.75
|
Julian Blackmon
|
3
|
Utah
|
73
|
187
|
43
|
0.5
|
0
|
10
|
74.5
|
Ajene Harris
|
4
|
USC
|
70
|
190
|
47
|
1.5
|
0.5
|
9
|
65.63
|
Camryn Bynum
|
2
|
CAL
|
72
|
180
|
48
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
10
|
56.63
|
Thomas Graham Jr
|
2
|
ORE
|
70
|
189
|
56
|
1
|
0
|
7
|
56
|
Myles Bryant
|
3
|
WASH
|
58
|
180
|
48
|
5
|
0
|
9
|
56
|
Nate Meadors
|
4
|
UCLA
|
71
|
195
|
47
|
2
|
1
|
10
|
52.75
|
Jordan Miller
|
4
|
WASH
|
73
|
184
|
21
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
43.5
|
Nick Fisher
|
4
|
COLO
|
72
|
190
|
22
|
1.5
|
0
|
7
|
38.5
|
Iman Marshall
|
4
|
USC
|
73
|
205
|
43
|
1
|
0
|
10
|
38
|
Deommodore Lenoir
|
2
|
ORE
|
71
|
190
|
21
|
1.5
|
0
|
6
|
35
|
Jaylon Johnson
|
2
|
Utah
|
72
|
181
|
24
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
34
|
Sean Harper Jr
|
4
|
WAZZ
|
74
|
186
|
21
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
34
|
Marcus Strong
|
3
|
WAZZ
|
69
|
177
|
18
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
34
|
Chase Lucas
|
2
|
ASU
|
72
|
178
|
53
|
1
|
0
|
8
|
31
|
Free Safeties (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Pts
|
Evan Worthington
|
4
|
COLO
|
74
|
200
|
72
|
6.5
|
1
|
9
|
167.53
|
Hunter Dale
|
4
|
WAZZ
|
70
|
190
|
35.5
|
8
|
3
|
5
|
133.28
|
Jalen Thompson
|
3
|
WAZZ
|
72
|
191
|
59.5
|
5.5
|
0
|
6
|
121.13
|
Austin Joyner
|
3
|
WASH
|
70
|
182
|
37.5
|
6
|
2
|
2
|
84.34
|
Casey Hughes
|
4
|
Utah
|
72
|
185
|
30
|
2.5
|
1
|
1
|
82.16
|
Marvell Tell III
|
4
|
USC
|
74
|
195
|
63.5
|
2.5
|
1
|
5
|
81.25
|
Frank Buncom
|
4
|
STAN
|
74
|
200
|
35.5
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
69.41
|
Marquise Blair
|
4
|
Utah
|
74
|
190
|
41.5
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
65.03
|
Kobe Williams
|
3
|
ASU
|
70
|
162
|
32.5
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
63.72
|
Jaylinn Hawkins
|
3
|
CAL
|
74
|
205
|
32.5
|
1.5
|
0
|
2
|
63.44
|
Darnay Holmes
|
2
|
UCLA
|
70
|
195
|
34
|
1
|
0
|
6
|
58.69
|
Ben Edwards
|
4
|
STAN
|
72
|
199
|
30
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
55.63
|
Trey Udoffia
|
2
|
COLO
|
72
|
185
|
35
|
0.5
|
0
|
6
|
53.91
|
Strong Safeties (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Pts
|
Demetrius
Flannigan-Fowles
|
4
|
ARIZ
|
74
|
205
|
69
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
97.5
|
Adarius Pickett
|
4
|
UCLA
|
71
|
195
|
74
|
4
|
0
|
4
|
78.08
|
Corrion Ballard
|
4
|
Utah
|
75
|
205
|
38
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
66.43
|
David Morris
|
2
|
OrSt
|
75
|
197
|
61.5
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
64.64
|
Scottie Young Jr
|
2
|
ARIZ
|
71
|
195
|
45.5
|
3.5
|
0
|
2
|
56.43
|
Chase Hansen
|
4
|
Utah
|
75
|
220
|
41
|
2.5
|
1
|
3
|
55.14
|
Taylor Rapp
|
3
|
WASH
|
72
|
212
|
50.5
|
3.5
|
2
|
1
|
54.83
|
Javelin K Guidry
|
2
|
Utah
|
69
|
188
|
26
|
1
|
0
|
5
|
51.18
|
Octavius Spencer
|
4
|
UCLA
|
71
|
180
|
28
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
47.5
|
Ykili Ross
|
3
|
USC
|
73
|
190
|
10
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
47.18
|
Omar Hicks-Onu
|
3
|
OrSt
|
73
|
202
|
32.5
|
2.5
|
0
|
2
|
47.13
|
Quentin Tartabull
|
4
|
CAL
|
71
|
200
|
38.5
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
47.06
|
Jalen Moore
|
3
|
OrSt
|
72
|
213
|
62.5
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
45.41
|
On the defensive side of the ball USC is going to be a beast
inside. They have a pair of tackles, Christian Rector and Malik Dorton who
combined for 45.5 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, and 5 passes defensed. That’s a
nice disruption base to build off of, and behind them are a trio of returning
linebackers should help fill some of the gap left on the edges. Cameron Smith is
the leader of those LBs with 86 tackles, 11 TFLs, and 4 PDs. Next to Smith are John
Houston Jr (Jr.) and Jordan Iosefa (Jr.) who combined 87.5 tackles, 6.5 TFLs,
and 7 PDs. In the secondary, Jack Jones is back after an 11 PD sophomore season
and is joined at corner by Ajene Harris and Iman Marshall who combined for 90
tackles and 19 passes defensed. At Safety, Marvell Tell III and Ykili Ross are
back and add 73.5 tackles and 7 PDs. Across town, UCLA brings back a trio of
interior linemen, Jaelan Phllips (So.), Chigozie Nnoruka (Jr.), and Marcus
Moore (So.), who combined for 21 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. There isn’t much back on the
outside or at linebacker, and a quartet back at DB. The highest rated of each
is safety Ardarius Pickett who had 74 tackles and 4 PDs. Pickett is joined by
Nate Meadors (CB), Darnay Holmes (FS), and Octavius Spencer (SS) who combined
last season 109 tackles and 21 passes defensed. Washington joins the LA schools
in having two interior linemen returning, but unlike those two teams,
Washington has a pair of producers returning at the edge rusher position. On
the interior are Greg Gaines and Jaylen Johnson who combined for 9 TFLs and 6
sacks, while on the outside Tevis Bartlett and Ryan Bowman combined for 67
tackles, 21.5 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks. At linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven had 68 tackles,
4 TFLs and 6 passes defensed. In the secondary, a trio of corners and a pair of
safeties are back. The corners Murphy (So.), Bryant (Jr.), and Miller (Sr.)
combined for 8 TFLs and 26 passes defensed. At safety, juniors Austin Joyner
and Taylor Rapp return with 89 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 3 passes defensed. As we
move to the elite at edge rusher, it’s interesting to note that, outside of
Washington, the teams with elite players on the edge don’t have elite players
on the interior. Oregon brings back a pair of edge rushers who combined for 90
tackles, 27 TFLs, 10 sacks, and 8 passes defensed. They are joined by sophomore
interior lineman Jordon Scott, who had 4.5 TFLs and 2 sacks at nose guard, and junior
OBLB who had 8.45 Tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 5 passes defensed. In the
secondary a trio of corners, senior Ugochukwu Amadi and sophomores Thomas
Graham Jr and Deommodore Lenoir, combined for 24 PDs, 5 TFLs, and 114 tackles. Overall,
Oregon is going to be scary on defense. In Arizona, sophomore Kylan Wilborn burst
onto the scene as a freshman with 9.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks. He’s joined by fellow
sophomore linebackers Colin Schooler and Tony Fields II who combined for 165.5
tackles, 21 TFLs, 9 sacks, and 5 passes defensed. They’re joined in the front
seven by junior Finton Connolly with 4.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. Continuing the
vein of youth into the secondary are a pair of sophomores and a pair of
seniors. The Wildcats bring back the two most productive corners in the
conference: Lorenzo Burns and Jace Whittaker. Burns and Whittaker combined for
113 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 28 PDs. At safety, Demtrius Flannigan-Fowler and
Scottie Young Jr combined for an additional 114.5 tackles and 8 passes
defensed. This Arizona defense might be a year away with so many sophomores,
but it’s going to be fun to watch them grow into what should be a beast of a
core next season. Utah will have a well-coached defense but in the front seven
they only return Bradlee Anae in the front seven but he’s a good one who had 10
TFLs and 7 sacks. There is more back in secondary than the front seven. At corner
Justin Blackmon had 43 tackles and 10 PDs and Jaylon Johnson had 7 PDs. At free
safety Casey Hughes and Marquise Blair combined for 71.5 tackles and 3 PDs, and
at strong safety Corrion Ballard, Chase Hansen, and Javelin Guidry combined for
105 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 12 PDs. The last pair of edge rushers play at CAL.
Sophomore Cameron Goode and senior Alex Funches are back and they return with 16.5
TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and 4 PDs. They’re joined by linebacker Jordan Kumaszyk who
adds 57 tackles, 6 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 2 PDs. Behind those three are a trio of DBs,
Camryn Bynum (CB), Jaylinn Hawkins (FS), and Quentin Tartabull (SS) who
combined for 119 tackles and 16 passes defensed. Wazzu brings back someone at
each level of the defense. On the line Nnamdi Oguayo is back after a 7 TFL and
4 sack sophomore season. At linebacker sophomores Jahad Woods and Jordan Iosefa
combined for 74 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. In the secondary, a quartet of
DBs (Harper Jr/Strong/Dale/Thompson) are back with a combined 133 tackles, 13.5
TFLs, and 25 passes defensed. Colorado has depth in the back seven where a half
dozen players are back, led by Evan Worthington. Worthington had 72 tackles,
6.5 TFLs, and 9 PDs as a junior. He’s joined by fellow safety Try Udoffia (So.),
corner Nick Fisher (Sr.), and linebackers Drew Lewis (Sr.), Rick Gamboa (Sr.),
and Nate Landman (So.). The quintet combined for 22 PDs and 214 tackles. The
real thing of note is that Stanford has quite a bit of attrition and are
lacking in production and experience on the defensive side of the ball.
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