The 10 best players in the Pac-12
Clint Eastwood was spotted on the Warner Bros. Studios backlot during Pac-12 Media Days, the famed actor/director bringing a much-needed dose of star power to an event sorely lacking it.
Forget about the marquee players preparing for their first NFL season – a list that includes Marcus Mariota, Leonard Williams, and Nelson Agholor – most Pac-12 coaches left their best and brightest at home. UCLA didn’t bring two-way star Myles Jack or running back Paul Perkins, who led the Pac-12 in rushing last season. Colorado was without wide receiver Nelson Spruce, set to break plenty of school records, and underrated linebacker Addison Gillam.
Arizona didn’t bring All-American linebacker Scooby Wright, quarterback Anu Solomon, running back Nick Wilson, or wide receiver Cayleb Jones. Arizona State running back-turned-wide receiver D.J. Foster, Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan, and Washington safety Budda Baker were also M.I.A.
At least Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez offered a somewhat plausible explanation, saying he prefers to bring seniors to such events, before jokingly adding he hoped the omission would prompt Wright to return to school for his senior season.
While Pac-12 Media Days may have been short on talent, the conference certainly won't be in 2015. Here's a look, in alphabetical order, of the 10 best players in the Pac-12 this season.
Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
An unlikely catalyst for the Utes' first winning season since joining the Pac-12, the junior-college transfer emerged as a true feature back with 1,512 rushing yards and 43 receptions. With significant overhaul in the Utah receiving corps, Booker will again see a heavy workload.
Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
Want to impress your draftnik friends? Start name-dropping Clark now and you’ll look like a genius when the mammoth 6-foot-3, 308-pounder ends up at the top of mock drafts next spring. Clark is active for a big man, posting 58 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore, and also frees up the Bruin linebackers to make plays. Those traits will make him incredibly valuable at the next level.
Su'a Cravens, LB, USC
To deal with the rise of spread offenses, a versatile defender like Cravens has become a necessity. Operating as a hybrid linebacker/safety, Cravens is equally adept at playing in the box and dropping into coverage, as his 17 tackles for loss and three interceptions last season can attest.
D.J. Foster, WR, Arizona State
To offset the loss of Jaelen Strong in the passing game, the Sun Devils are moving the 1,000-yard rusher Foster to receiver on a permanent basis. Foster has dabbled extensively in working from the slot during his Arizona State career, but don’t be surprised if he still features heavily in the screen game and gets the occasional carry.
Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
A slimmed down and more patient Freeman is a strong bet to build on his outstanding true freshman campaign, after he rushed for 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns. With size and speed reminiscent of former Ducks great Jonathan Stewart, Freeman will make things easy as Oregon brings Mariota's successor at quarterback up to speed.
Jared Goff, QB, Cal
Thrown into the mix as a true freshman, Goff now stands as the Pac-12's best pro prospect at the position. Combine his arm strength, mobility, production, and experience, it's not a surprise to figure out why NFL scouts are salivating over Goff. If the Golden Bears can field a defense that shows a modicum of improvement, Goff and his veteran receivers will deliver more than enough offense to take Cal to its first bowl game since 2011.
Myles Jack, LB/RB, UCLA
Jack kickstarted the Pac-12's two-way revolution in 2013, earning both offensive and defensive freshman of the year honors after splitting time at linebacker and running back. Despite having his offensive role scaled back last season, Jack still proved to be a force and is especially effective in pass defense, using his instincts and athleticism to tally 18 career pass breakups and three interceptions.
Adoree' Jackson, CB/WR/RS, USC
Immediately living up to his five-star billing, Jackson didn’t allow a touchdown pass in the regular season and is the conference's top cover corner. Add in his explosiveness with the ball in his hands, scoring five touchdowns that covered an average of 60.6 yards per play as a return specialist and part-time wide receiver, and Jackson is well on his way to becoming this generation’s Charles Woodson.
Cody Kessler, QB, USC
After turning in the quietest 39-touchdown-to-five-interception season in memory, Kessler is on the short list of Heisman Trophy favorites. Kessler will need to showcase his accuracy and pocket presence in the most important games after posting more modest numbers to turn the Trojans' four losses in 2014 into Pac-12 and College Football Playoff contention.
Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
Wright has stuffed the stat sheet for two seasons, going from an unheralded two-star recruit to one of the best players in college football. If he comes remotely close to matching last season's 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, and six forced fumbles, Wright will again take home plenty of awards and could make a run at the Heisman.