The Pac-12 has a ton of draft-eligible talent this year; however, most of them are underclassmen. The senior class in the Pac 12 is devoid of the type of talent that gets your juices flowing.
The senior class is headlined by Oregon’s DeForest Buckner, Stanford’s Kyle Murphy and Utah’s Devontae Booker as each of them have the ability to become game-changing talents for their team’s at the next level.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top-five seniors at each position for the Pac-12.
By John Owning
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Quarterbacks
- Cody Kessler, QB, USC – 3rd-4th Round
Best quarterback in a conference devoid of good quarterbacks. Very accurate in short to intermediate areas, but needs to prove that he can stretch the field and work outside of the hashes.
- Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford – 5th-6th Round
Hogan has received a lot of hype in the past, but most of it doesn’t seem warranted. Big and strong armed quarerback who lacks the necessary accuracy to thrive in the NFL.
- Travis Wilson, QB, Utah – 7th Round- UDFA
Wilson is an athletic quarterback with great size and a good arm. He needs to show that he can survive in the pocket and make good throws in rhythm.
- Vernon Adams Jr., QB, Oregon – UDFA
Another in a long line of athletic, spread-option quarterbacks at Oregon. He has to work through some academic issues, but if he is able to transfer to Oregon, he could allow them to challenge for Pac 12 title. Doesn’t have a lot of NFL-level skills.
- Mike Bercovici, QB, ASU, UDFA
A better prospect than Taylor Kelly, but that doesn’t say much. Strong armed quarterback who can make some wow throws, but lacks consistency and poise to make it in NFL.
Running Backs
- Devontae Booker, RB, Utah – 2nd Round
Older prospect who plays with power and surprising shiftiness. Perfect fit in a zone-blocking scheme with his patience and one-cut ability.
- J. Foster, RB/WR, ASU – 3rd-4th Round
Foster is moving to wide receiver this year, but he is better suited as a running back in the NFL. Fantastic receiver out of the backfield and extremely quick in short spaces.
- Byron Marshall, RB/WR, Oregon – 3rd-4th Round
Much like Foster, Byron Marshall will play wide receiver, but his best position may be at running back at the next level. He is a great athlete with elite elusiveness.
- Storm Woods, RB, Oregon State, 5th-6th Round
Made the best out of a poor situation at Oregon State. He does great work in the open field and when he gets the ball in space he can take it to the house.
- Daniel Lasco, RB, California, 5th-6th Round
Underrated running back who could get jump onto people’s radars this season. Benefits from Jared Goff and the potent passing attack, but shows good vision with his opportunities.
Wide Receivers
- Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado – 2nd-3rd Round
Strong receiver who runs precise routes with good hands. Lacks the big-play ability at the next level, but could be a great possession receiver in NFL.
- Jordan Payton, WR, UCLA – 3rd-4th Round
Payton is a tough and physical receiver who has very good hands to catch the ball in traffic. Could be playing with a freshman quarterback, so it will be interesting to see how that affects his production
- Bryce Treggs, WR, California – 5th-6th Round
Productive receiver who does his best work from the slot. Doesn’t have elite size or speed, but his route-running could make him a viable threat on third down at the next level.
- Devin Fuller, WR, UCLA – 5th-6th Round
A solid receiver who is solid at everything, but lacks a defining trait. Very productive receiver who could be a good No. 4 or 5 WR in NFL.
- Maurice Harris, WR, California – 6th-7th Round
One of the solid receiver in a crowded California receiving corps. Can make some fantastic grabs and could be a viable special teams player in the NFL with some upside as a wide receiver.
Tight Ends
- Pharoah Brown, TE, Oregon – 2nd-4th Round
Coming off a gruesome injury that has hurt his stock a bit. Before he was hurt, he had the potential to vie for the best tight end in the nation.
- Stephen Anderson, TE, California – 4th-5th Round
Not a very good blocker, but he is a huge threat coming out of the slot as a tight end. Big target with good hands who can be a chain mover at the next level.
- Joshua Perkins, TE, Washington – 7th Round – UDFA
Another tight end who is much more adept as a receiver than as a blocker. He hasn’t received a lot of targets, but he has the size and athleticism to be an interesting late-round prospect.
- Caleb Smith, TE, Oregon State – UDFA
Big tight end who is a solid blocker and decent receiver threat. Not very athletic and upside is a No. 3 tight end at the next level.
- Koa Ka’ai, TE, Oregon – UDFA
Hasn’t played a ton, but has an opportunity with Brown’s injury. If he shows some good traits, he could become a draftable prospect.
Offensive Line
- Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford – 2nd Round
One of the most underrated players in the country. A fantastic tackle with fluid feet and great hands. Could vault up to first round with another great year.
- Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State – 2nd Round
Physical guard who can create a lot of push at the point of attack. Needs to deal with stunts and twists better.
- Max Tuerk, OC, USC – 3rd-4th Round
Extremely versatile player who can play multiple spots along the offensive line. Plays with good fundamentals. Understands how to use leverage to his advantage. Could rise with a great season.
- Stephane Nembot, OT, Colorado – 3rd-4th Round
Underrated tackle who shows good movement skills. Works well to second and third level, but needs to work on his hand placement and footwork in pass protection.
- Joshua Garrett, OG, Stanford – 4th-5th Round
Devastating run blocker who can fit into man or zone blocking scheme. Struggles with athletic defensive tackles, but has the makeup to eventually become a starter in NFL.
Defensive Line
- DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon – Mid-Late First Round
Elite defender who was better than 15th overall pick Arik Armstead. Utilizes his length extremely well. Can be a dominant 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4 in the NFL.
- Antwuan Woods, DT, USC – 4th-5th Round
Space eating defensive tackle who plays with good pad level. Needs to work on is hand usage to get off blocks, but does a good job of plugging gaps.
- Alex Balducci, DT, Oregon – 4th-5th Round
Another space eating defensive tackle. His ability to eat up multiple blockers allows for his teammates to succeed. Would like to see if he can penetrate more this season, but will be hard to do in Oregon’s scheme.
- Delvon Simmons, DT, USC – 5th-6th Round
A little bit quicker than Woods, but lacks the hand refinement to consistently get the most of his opportunities. Extremely athletic, but needs to use it to his advantage more.
- Jaxon Hood, DT, ASU – 5th-7th Round
A big defensive tackle who can eat up space. Not much of a pass-rusher, but can be a good run defender in the NFL.
Linebackers
- Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford – 4th-5th Round
An extremely productive linebacker with very good instincts. Like other Stanford linebackers, he lacks the athleticism to be a starter at the next level.
- Christian French, OLB, Oregon – 4th-5th Round
Shows some pass-rush upside, but needs a lot of refinement. Good athlete who could become a great special teamer in the NFL.
- Joe Walker, ILB, Oregon – 4th-5th Round
Walker could climb a lot of boards this season was his quickness and instincts. Plays behind a very good defensive line that should allow him free reign to get to ball carriers.
- Kevin Anderson, OLB, Stanford – 5th-6th Round
A tough and hard working outside linebacker who never gives up on a play. Lacks great athleticism to be a great pass-rusher, but a consistent and dependable run defender who will likely be a great special teamer in NFL.
- Jared Norris, OLB, Utah– 5th-6th Round
Underrated linebacker who has been extremely productive at Utah. Shoots gaps extremely well, but he doesn’t play off blocks as well as his production might say.
Cornerbacks
- Ishmael Adams, CB, UCLA – 3nd Round
Part of a potent UCLA cornerback tandem. He has good size and length for the position and uses his feet to mirror receivers well.
- Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA – 3rd-4th
One of the biggest playmakers for UCLA in 2014. A great returner who also made some key interceptions on defense. lacks great size, but makes up for it with speed and transitional quickness.
- Lloyd Carrington, CB, ASU – 4th Round
A big corner who plays the run well. Very physical with receivers off the line of scrimmage and has the chance to develop into a day-two pick.
- Larry Scott, CB, Oregon State – 4th-5th Round
A small, but quick cornerback who got his hands on a number of balls. Way too handsy at times and he needs to clean up his footwork on breaks.
- Kevon Seymour, CB, USC – 6th-7th Round
Part of another great Pac-12 cornerback tandem. Will likely see a ton of targets this year and will need to clean up his footwork when in off coverage. Could rise with a productive year.
Safeties
- Stefan McClure, S, California – 4th-6th Round
Has had to battle through a ton of injuries throughout his carrer. When healthy, he makes a ton of plays against the run and pass.
- Jordan Simone, S, ASU – 5th-7th Round
An extremely productive safety who does his best work inside the box. A very tough and tenacious safety who will be a great special teamer in the NFL.
- Will Parks, S, Arizona – 6th– UDFA
Leader of the Wildcats defense. Makes a lot of plays in the box, but struggles a lot in coverage. Will need to prove himself on special teams to make it in NFL.
- Tevin Carter, S, Utah – 6th– UDFA
Has had a hard time staying healthy while at Utah. One of the better coverage safeties in the conference.
- Brian Clay, S, Washington – UDFA
Hasn’t showed much as a safety, but has proven to be a very good special teamer. Needs to show some upside at safety if he wants a tryout in NFL.
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