One of the more exciting conferences in terms of skill 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 defense.
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DE: Scott Crichton,* Oregon State
A player who will never be mistaken for Barkevious Mingo, Crichton is highly productive but does not have the elite athletic explosion typically associated with double digit sack artists (despite the fact that guys like J.J. Watt and Jared Allen are stronger than they are quick). Crichton is a true professional, who has a highly polished game, even as a junior, and can be solid both against the run and getting after the quarterback.
DE: Trent Murphy, Stanford
A tweener, who doesn’t flash enormous upside, Murphy is reminiscent of last year’s first-rounder Bjoern Werner. Murphy has very good fundamentals, but is not exceptionally strong or quick, nor does he specialize in either the run or the rush. The level of talent around him may also have inflated his abilities.
DT: Will Sutton, Arizona State
A stumpy player, Sutton has added roughly 30lbs since last season, and his play has benefitted from it. He is still one of the more explosive DT prospects, but shedding some of that extra weight and returning more to his 2012 form will help him better play to his abilities, rather than trying to poorly shore up his weaknesses.
DT: Wade Keliikipi, Oregon
Keliikipi is a strong, run stuffing nose guard for the Ducks, and he could continue to perform in that in the NFL or could play over in a 43 scheme. He’ll need to add additional mass and strength to remain as the former, and doesn’t have the athleticism to be a starter in the latter. He has experience dropping into short zones during his time in Eugene.
LB: Anthony Barr, UCLA
A guy who took a while for me to warm up to as an elite prospect, Barr is the best standup pass rusher since Von Miller. Barr has outstanding burst, strength, and size despite the fact that he was converted from the offensive side of the ball just last season. He is still exceptionally raw, but has the ability to eventually become one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
LB: Morgan Breslin, USC
Like Murphy, Breslin has a tweener skillset but is better suited for a standup role than coming out of a three-point stance. Breslin still needs plenty of work in coverage, but he has good technique and athleticism to rush the passer, despite having a shorter, leaner frame than is the ideal.
LB: Shayne Skov, Stanford
Skov has been on the radar as an NFL prospect for the past three years, but a return for his senior season which was waylaid by a torn ACL has him only now entering the draft process this season. Skov is a hammer in the middle of the field who can wrap up, strike, and stuff the run. He lacks even above average athleticism at the linebacker position, but has exceptional instincts.
CB: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu,* Oregon
One of the most talented players in the defensive secondary for this year’s draft class, Epkre-Olomu is a very good man cover corner, who plays more physical than his size would indicate. He has very good ball skills and instincts for a player with as little collegiate experience as he has, and can be a difference maker at the next level with his exceptional athleticism
CB: Rashaad Reynolds, Oregon State
Reynolds has a good combination of cover skills and ability to play the run, and isn’t afraid to get physical with his man. He doesn’t have the ball hawking ability to be a playmaker, but Reynolds can contribute early for a team that plays press-man coverage.
S: Ed Reynolds,* Stanford
Reynolds is a strong, tough safety that can play the run at a high level, but does not have the quickness to play well in coverage. An old school player, Reynolds has great instincts and can lay the wood, a trait which may be more of hindrance than an asset at the next level.
S: Dion Bailey, USC
A safety who has played at the linebacker position with the Trojans, lacks both the coverage skills to play great in the secondary and the strength and take on skills to play the run in the front seven. However, Bailey has very good instincts and will have to play safety or special teams to make it in the NFL.
Missed the cut:
DE: Cassius Marsh, UCLA
DE: Devon Kennard, USC
DL: Taylor Hart, Oregon
LB: Trevor Reilly, Utah
S: Sean Parker, Washington
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