With about six weeks left until training camps start, it is time to look at the 3rd installment of The Top 40 Returning Players in the Pac-12. Last week, offense dominated much of the list and some big-time offensive production came off the board. This conference is loaded with offensive talent so expect to see a lot more of that in the final two installments.
In Week 3 of this series, it is time to look at players 20-11. This week we see a similar number as last week: seven offensive players and three defensive players. We feature one QB, three RBs, three offensive linemen, and three secondary players. Included will be the top center, offensive tackle, safety, and top RB in the conference. With a lot of talented players left, let’s take a look at where each is slotted.
Top 40 Returning Pac-12 Players (20-11)
20. Andrus Peat, OL, Stanford
This junior offensive tackle is coming off one better seasons amongst all left tackles in college ball. He garnered multiple honors his sophomore year—SI.com All-America honorable mention, Athlon Sports All Pac-12 first team, All Pac-12 second team, and Phil Steele All-Pac 12 Second Team. A potential top 5 pick in the 2015 NFL draft, Andrus Peat will look to build off his successful sophomore season and become the best OT in the nation.
19. Thomas Tyner, RB, Oregon
This sophomore running back enjoyed a productive true freshman season and is poised to have a breakout year. Thomas Tyner was second on Oregon last year with 711 rushing yards to go with his 9 rushing touchdowns. He earned 247 Sports True Freshman All-American team and second-team Freshman All-America by College Football News. Tyner might be the third best RB in the Pac-12, but he is only the 2nd best on his team , which is the reason he is not higher up on this list.
18. Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford
This senior starter had one of the toughest tasks in college football; he followed All-World QB Andrew Luck. Kevin Hogan led Stanford to two-straight Rose Bowl appearances and has filled in nicely since Luck departed for the NFL. The three-year starter will have a much tougher time winning the Pac-12 this season, but if he can work on fixing his wind-up and mechanics, he has the talent to lead the Cardinal to another Rose Bowl appearance.
17. Su’a Cravens, S, USC
This sophomore safety is the next up-and-coming safety in USCs long history. Su’a Cravens earned the attention of the whole nation after his breakout freshman campaign garnering multiple honors. Among them was an All Pac-12 honorable mention and numerous freshman All-American nods. Cravens will be the heir apparent to Stanford’s Jordan Richards as the best safety in the conference and may be the best safety in the nation by the end of the season.
16. Jamil Douglas, OL, Arizona St.
This senior offensive lineman will be one of the top OL in the conference. Coming off a phenomenal junior season that saw him earn All Pac-12 second team recognition, Jamil Douglas will look to compete with Andrus Peat as the best offensive lineman in the conference. Douglas is a freak of nature athlete and is known for his strength in the weight room as well, so look for him to be a factor this year in the Pac-12 and during 2015 in the NFL.
15. D.J. Foster, RB, Arizona St.
This junior running back is the best all-around back in the conference. D.J. Foster earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 recognition in 2013 after compiling 653 receiving yards, the most in the nation by a RB, and also running well after starter Marion Grice got injured. Finally being able to be the #1 RB, Foster should show the entire conference that he has the ability to be the best RB in the league and, maybe, the best all-around back in the country.
14. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
This junior cornerback is coming off a breakout sophomore season that saw him record 51 tackles and earned him a honorable mention all-conference recognition. This year, Fabian Moreau will look to add leadership skills and show more of his shutdown corner ability. Moreau has the chance to be the best corner in the Pac-12, but he will have to outshine a certain Oregon CB first. Moreau has all the talent in the world and will look to put it all together in 2014.
13. Jordan Richards, S, Stanford
This senior safety is set to return for his senior year and prove that he is the best safety in the Pac-12. Jordan Richards enjoyed a spectacular junior season that saw him garner All Pac-12 honorable mention and the Phil Steele All Pac-12 second team. He recorded 69 tackles, 4 for a loss, 3 interceptions, and 3 pass break-ups. Look for Jordan Richards to prove that he is in fact the best safety in the conference and one of the top safeties in the country. He will face stiff competition in his own conference with USC sophomore Su’a Cravens, but Richards should be able to hold him off this season.
12. Byron Marshall, RB, Oregon
This junior RB is Oregon’s returning rushing leader and the Pac-12s best RB. Byron Marshall earner honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2013 after rushing for 1,038 yards and 14 touchdowns. He and Thomas Tyner will form the deadliest duo in the Pac-12 and possibly the country, and will look to lead Oregon to a Pac-12 championship. Byron Marshall has all the talent and the right system to become one of the top 5 backs in the nation.
11. Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
This senior center enjoyed one of the best seasons a college center has ever had. He was the anchor of a very good offensive line and is returning for his senior season looking to win a championship and improve his NFL draft stock. It is no question that Hroniss Grasu is the best center in college football this year and may be the best center in the last decade. He earned first-team All-America honors from SI.com and SB nation and also earned an All Pac-12 first team for the second straight year. He may be the best overall player in the Pac-12 but as a center I cannot put him in the top 10.
This is a great group of players and most of them would be top 10 players in any other conference, but the Pac-12 is so talented this year. You have the nation’s best center, all-around best RB and two of the best safeties, yet they couldn’t even crack the top 10 in this conference. The Pac-12 is loaded this year and will be a lot of fun to watch. Check back next week for the unveiling of the top 10 players in the Pac-12.
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