Over the next few weeks, until training camp starts, I want to take a look at the top 40 Pac-12 players for the 2014 season. The conference is loaded with offense, especially quarterbacks, so get ready to see a lot of players in this top 40 from the offensive side. However, do not overlook some of the defensive talent in this conference as well. The Pac-12 may have two of the best defensive players in the whole country, so there may not be much depth, but there is star power.
In Week 1 of this installment we will look at players 40-31. There is a nice mix of five defensive players and five offensive players, including a big named player from USC.
Top 40 Returning Pac-12 Players (40-31)
40. Issac Seumalo, OL, Oregon St.
The junior is coming off a season where he garnered All-Conference second team status and proved to be a solid anchor on the offensive line for the Beavers. Protecting their potential All-American QB Sean Mannion is key to Oregon St. success and Issac Seumalo does a great job at that.
39. Addison Gillam, LB, Colorado
The sophomore sensation is looking to build on a very productive freshman campaign that saw him record 107 tackles. That mark was good for 4th in the conference and was done in one less game than the players ahead of him. Colorado is still in rebuilding mode, but Addison Gillam will be a big part of the rebuilding process.
38. Hau’oli Kikaha, DE, Washington
The senior defensive end garnered All-Conference second team honors in 2013 and looks to prove that he is one of the best defensive linemen in the Pac-12. He was 2nd in the conference last season with 13 total sacks, trailing Stanford DE Trent Murphy by just two sacks. The Huskies are on the cusp of being conference championship contenders and Hau’oli Kikaha is going to be a big reason why they take the next step.
37. Kevin Anderson, LB, Stanford
Not many people may know of this Senior OLB, but he is a solid football player who has been stuck behind great defensive players. He recorded 26 tackles (6.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, and 1 interception in 2013. Kevin Anderson will finally get a chance to start this season and will look to continue that great Stanford defensive tradition.
36. Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado
Playing as the #2 receiver behind Paul Richardson does not leave many opportunities to catch a lot of passes, but when he had the chance this junior capitalized on his opportunities. He finished his sophomore campaign with 55 receptions for 650 yards and 4 touchdowns. Slotting in as the #1 receiver this year should provide Spruce with enough chances to make up for Richardson leaving.
35. Ellis McCarthy, DE, UCLA
This junior is just two years removed from being a 5 star recruit and the #2 rated defensive tackle coming into college. UCLA fans and coaches saw some flashes last season when he recorded 31 tackles (4 for a loss) and 2 sacks, allowing him to garner honorable mention all-conference. Ellis McCarthy will look to take the next step this season
34. Cody Kessler, QB, USC
Everyone knew this junior quarterbacks name before he even took a snap. He had huge expectations going into last season and although he had a good year it was not great. He had 2,968 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He was a Sophomore All-American and All=Pac12 honorable mention last season. In 2014 he will look to solidify his star status and improve in all aspects of his game.
33. Devin Fuller, WR, UCLA
The junior ranked 2nd on UCLA last season with 43 catches to go along with 4 touchdown receptions. He was an honorable mention all-conference and will look to achieve all-conference status this upcoming season with more opportunities now that Shaq Evans is gone. Devin Fuller is an outstanding athlete who has become a dependable receiver in the Bruin offense. Fuller currently has a 19 game catch streak going into the 2014 season.
32. Mike Criste, C, Washington
The senior earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 in 2013 whiles starting every game under center for the Huskies. Mike Cristie is the anchor of the Huskies offensive line and is a 2014 preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy (nations top center). He will look to lead Washington to the conference championship and complete the Huskies turnaround.
31. Thomas Duarte, TE/WR, UCLA
The sophomore TE/WR combo from Fullerton, California had a great freshman campaign for the Bruins. He had 16 receptions for 214 yards and tied the UCLA true freshman school record with three touchdown receptions. Thomas Duarte earned honorable mention all-conference status as a true freshman and will look to be even better in his second year in the offense. The Bruins offense will be explosive, so expect a big year out of Duarte.
Excluding Cody Kessler, none of these players are probably household names, but I can guarantee that none of the teams they play for would have success without them. It is not always all about the star power in college football, sometimes all it takes to win is to be a team player and to do your part. These players do that and that is why they earned a spot on the Top 40 Returning Players for the 2014 season.
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