With just over month left until training camp starts we are going to look at the 4th and final installment of the top 40 returning players in the Pac-12. (pt.1, pt.2, pt.3) here Last week we saw offense start to take control of the list and saw some big time offensive production come off the board. As I have stated before this conference is loaded with offense, so expect more, but do not over look the defensive talent in the Pac-12 either.
In Week 4 of this installment we will look at the top 10 players in the Pac-12 conference. All 10 of these players have the potential to be 1st or 2nd round draft picks in the NFL draft and will be major factors this season.
Top 10 Returning Pac-12 Players
10. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
This senior standout CB surprised everyone when he decided to return for his senior season and forego the NFL draft. Ifo Ekpre-Olumu earner Walter Camp All-America Second Team, as well as, second-team SportingNews, CBSSports.com and USA Today All-America Honors, and finally, first-team All-Pac-12 conference recognition for the second straight season. He is a physical corner, finishing with 84 tackles last season, and also has ball-hawking skills, finishing 2013 with 3 interceptions. Ekpre-Olomu may be the best all-around defender in the Pac-12 and is by far the best corner in the conference.
9. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
At 6’4 205 pounds this junior WR is a physically imposing threat at the position, who can also burn any corner in the league with his speed. Jaelen Strong enjoyed a breakout year catching 75 passes for 1,122 yards and 7 touchdowns on his way to second-team All Pac-12 and Phil Steele first team All Pac-12 honors. He is back and with star QB Taylor Kelley the possibilities are endless. Strong is no longer a secret though and defenses will be game planning against him so if he adjusts he may be the best WR the Pac-12 has.
8. Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
Not only is Nelson Agholor a great WR he is also the top return specialist in the conference. Agholor had so many awards last year that there is no room to list them, but the kid gets it. He goes up and fights for the ball, goes through the middle and takes hits, and turns short passes into long gains. He may not be the best WR in the conference going into the season, but by years end Nelson Agholor may just be the best in the conference and nation.
7. Taylor Kelly, QB, Arizona St.
This senior QB enjoyed a tremendous junior campaign that saw him earn second-team All Pac-12 honors. Taylor Kelly ranked 4th in the Pac-12 with 3,625 passing yards and 28 touchdowns and is ranked 3rd among returning QBs with 608 rushing yards. Kelly belongs to be mentioned with Mannion, Hundley, and Mariota and could challenge all three to be the best QB in the conference. Look for a monster year out of the Sun Devil.
6. Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon St.
This senior QB has almost set every record in Oregon State and Pac-12 history. Here is the long list of Sean Mannion’s records: Tied for fourth in the nation for touchdowns passing in 2013 with 37, finished tied for third in Pac-12 single season history and set OSU record with those 37 touchdown passes, was second in the nation with 4,662 passing yards and passing yards per game (358.6), set the Pac-12 record with those 4,662 passing yards, set OSU single season records with 400 completions and 603 pass attempts and was only named Pac-12 Conference honorable mention. Nothing else needs to be said, Mannion is one of the best in the conference and nation and he will look to cement his legacy this season.
5. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
This sophomore LB was just named the most versatile defensive player in the country and will look to build off a very successful freshman campaign. Myles Jack earned the following awards after compiling 75 tackles, 11 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 INT touchdown return, and even ran for a 66 yard TD run on offense: He was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player, named first-team All-America by Athlon Sports as an all-purpose player and honorable mention All-America by si.com, first-team Freshman All-America selection by Sporting News, named both Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year in the Pac-12 by the coaches, and was second-team All-Pac-12. The accolades and stats speak for themselves, Myles Jack may be the best all around player in college football and if it wasn’t for Leonard Williams of USC he may be the best defensive player in the Pac-12.
4. Leonard Williams, DE, USC
This junior DE enjoyed a monster sophomore year despite a shoulder injury that forced him to sit out spring practice. Leonard Williams is not only the best defensive player in the Pac-12, but he may be the best defensive player in the nation, and is undoubtedly the best defensive lineman in the nation. The All-American and All Pac-12 player compiled 74 tackles (13.5 for loss), 6 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 fumbles forced. Williams will probably be a top 5 pick in the NFL draft in 2015, so he will look to lead USC to a successful 2014 season before he leaves.
3. Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
This 6’2 215 pound senior is a dominating force at the WR position and posses the best raw skills of any WR in the Pac-12. Ty Montgomery was an All Pac-12 second team honoree in 2013 after catching 61 passes for 958 yards and 10 touchdowns. The senior is also the best kick returner in the nation garnering All-American status a year ago and will look to break the Stanford record for all-purpose yards in a single season. Montgomery is a dark horse Heisman candidate and if he can improve his WR numbers he has a shot to be in New York for the Heisman ceremony.
2. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
If it wasn’t for an injury last season this redshirt junior QB may have been the Heisman trophy winner over Jameis Winston in 2013. I don’t even have to list all of his great stats and accolades; all you have to do is watch. Just watching Marcus Mariota is a thing to see and it will be a while until another QB quite like him comes into the Pac-12. The kid just gets it and knows how to play football; it truly is an amazing thing to watch. However, he still is not the best QB in the conference, just the most exciting to watch.
1. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
The best QB and player in the Pac-12 is this junior QB who is one of the best in the nation and earned honorable mention all-conference in 2013. Brett Hundley had another record breaking season at UCLA after passing for 3,071 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 9 touchdowns, as well as, rushing for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns. It was just a remarkable year for Hundley and he will look to build off last seasons success for 2014. Hundley will be in the Heisman race all year and he will look to lead the Bruins to a Pac-12 championship and a playoff appearance.
You cannot go wrong with either Brett Hundley or Marcus Mariota at #1, but my personal opinion is that Hundley has a better arm and is just a big a threat running as Mariota that I had to put him as #1. All four QBs here are phenomenal and will all be solid NFL QBs. The WRs are three of the best in the nation and the three defenders are all top at their position in the nation. The Pac-12 is so talented this year and will be a great conference to watch. The conference could easily have two or people represent the conference at the Heisman ceremony in New York. It is a shame that most of the country does not watch the Pac-12 because it will be a shootout all season long.
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