One of the more exciting conferences in terms of skilled positions and explosive talent, the Pac-12 is this week’s focus. The amount of underclassmen that comprise the teams for this week is truly stunning, and will be the most interesting to watch leading up to the January 15th deadline to declare. Today’s focus is on offense.
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QB: Brett Hundley,** UCLA
As a tough a choice as there is to make between two redshirt freshman quarterbacks, Hundley gets the nod over Mariota, despite both of them elite athletic talents especially for their position. What gives Hundley the edge is the fact that he has had a more conventional pro-style offense under Jim Mora Jr. than Mariota has had up in Eugene. Hundley has the poise and accuracy you like to see from a young QB, in addition to his physical tools.
RB: Bishop Sankey,* Washington
The Huskies transition from Chris Polk to Sankey was a seamless one, and the latter also happens to have enough talent to follow his predecessor into the NFL. Sankey has a fairly average frame, but has good frame and shows more power in his runs than might be expected. However, he does not run north-south as much as he could or should.
RB: De’Anthony Thomas,* Oregon
Already drawing comparisons to last year’s eighth overall pick, Tavon Austin, Thomas possesses a nearly identical scant build. In the typical mold of Oregon running backs, Thomas has homerun speed and is a threat to score running, receiving, or returning. Thomas should find himself drafted a spot similar to that of former teammate LaMichael James.
WR: Marqise Lee,* USC
Lee’s statistics have been freakish throughout his collegiate career, aided by his speed, quickness, and the play of those around him. Lee is a dedicated, hardworking player, something which doesn’t always get attributed to the wideout position, and certainly has the talent to develop into a player along the lines of Torrey Smith. He will need to prove he could up physically in the NFL, however.
WR: Brandin Cooks,* Oregon State
A faster, smaller version of Lee, Cooks has set the college world on fire, along with the rest of the Oregon State passing attack. Cooks has rare quickness and explosion, but his size might be something of a concern for teams who prefer their receivers to not be so diminutive.
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins,* Washington
Seferian-Jenkins is one of the most freakishly athletic players eligible for this year’s draft. He has great speed for the position, has the hands of a wide recever, and has the frame to develop into an offensive lineman, were he not so gifted in the receiving game. Were it not for a few off the field issues, ASJ would be drafted earlier than Vernon Davis in 2006.
OL: David Yankey, Stanford
A bit of a guard-tackle tweener, Yankey is a strong tenacious player who has excellent technique. However, he doesn’t have the foot speed or the athleticism to hold up well on the outside at the next level, and he’s not the type of pass blocker coaches would feel comfortable with protecting the edge.
OL: Xavier Su’a-Filo,* UCLA
A rarely athletic guard prospect, Su’a-Filo has the athleticism that you would look for in a tackle prospect, along with the physicality of an interior lineman. However, he has a rather shorter, stocky build and does not have the kind of length that is required of NFL tackles.
OL: Hroniss Grasu,* Oregon
The son of Romanian immigrants (his first name is pronounced huh-ro-niss), Grasu is one of the better center prospects eligible for this year’s draft class. A starter for the past three seasons, Grasu has great athleticism for an interior lineman but is not the 270lb lightweight that normally get tabbed “athletic.” Center underclassmen rarely declare early but Grasy is talented enough to get drafted should opt to do so.
OL: Gus Handler, Colorado
Another center prospect, Handler is one of the better offensive players for the Buffs (which itself is not necessarily glowing praise). Handler is a steady prospect who seems to more of a fringe Day Three guy, as he’s not particularly strong or athletic.
OL: Andrus Peat,† Stanford
A true sophomore who is not eligible until the 2015 NFL Draft, Peat is worth noting both due to his outstanding talent and upside, as well as the fact that there just aren’t many good O-linemen coming out of the Pac-12 this year. Peat has seen significant playing time from day one on one of the better offensive lines in college football and has both the power and athleticism that he could develop into a top five pick by next season.
Missed the cut:
QB: Marcus Mariota,** Oregon
RB: Ka’Deem Carey,* Arizona
RB: Marion Grice, Arizona State
WR: Josh Huff, Oregon
TE: Colt Lyerla,* Oregon
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