As college football season nears kickoff, we’ll be breaking down the best prospects by position in each FBS conference. This year, the PAC-12 features some of the best draft prospects in the nation, particularly at quarterback, wide receiver, and the defensive line. Today’s focus is on the offensive side of the ball.
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PAC-12 Prospect Preview
QB: Marcus Mariota,* Oregon
Mariota is the top quarterback prospect in the nation, but as of now is a late first round talent in my view. He has a tendency to “arm” most of his throws and does not have much in the way of footwork in the pocket. However, Mariota has uncanny accuracy in the short to intermediate game despite his poor footwork, which suggests better things are on the horizon. He also can make basic progressions and has quality vision for a spread option quarterback. If Mariota can rebound from an average second half to the 2013 season, he could easily be a top five selection.
QB: Brett Hundley,* UCLA
One spot just isn’t enough to handle the quarterback talent in the PAC-12 this year, meaning Hundley takes the spot of a running back. Hundley has all the physical tools to be a quarterback in the NFL, however his talent has not come together yet. He has amazing arm strength and has the natural running ability few QBs possess. However, Hundley is far too erratic with his ball placement and the game just seems too fast for him at the moment. He has top five talent with a mid-round grade.
WR: Jaelen Strong,* Arizona State
The aptly named Strong is a big bodied receiver who catches most everything thrown his way. He has strong hands to reel in passes above his head and off his frame. Strong is physical in his routes and when he doesn’t win off the snap he is able to muscle his way through press and tight coverage. With Taylor Kelly throwing to him once again this season, he should be able to make a case for a day one selection.
WR: Ty Montgomery, Stanford
If Montgomery had been an upperclassmen when Andre Luck had been around, Luck might have won a couple of Heismans. Montgomery has the speed and burst that few Stanford receivers have possessed in the past decade. His route-running only emphasizes his athletic ability, even though his hands aren’t spectacular.
WR: Kasen Williams, Washington
Williams is a competitive receiver, who can jet off the line with a free release or fight with defensive backs for separation. He will need to bounce back from a season marred poor production and injury in order to get high end consideration, but Williams has the ability to an early- to mid-round receiver.
OT: Andrus Peat,* Stanford
Entering his true junior season, Peat may just be the best draft-eligible lineman. He has great length, athleticism, and strength, which he used to get the best of Shilique Calhoun in the Rose Bowl. Peat has some technique inconsistencies, bending at the waist and playing with his pads too high at times, but could use his junior year to iron out those issues and cement his status as the top O-lineman of 2015.
OT: Jake Fisher, Oregon
There is a steep drop off from Peat to Fisher, but the three-year starter at right tackle has very good length as most Oregon players do. Fisher is an agile blocker on the edge and has pretty good range to get to the second level as a zone blocker. He needs technique work, but Fisher looks to be a mid- to late-round prospect who fill a role as a swing tackle.
OG: Aundray Walker, USC
Walker has very good length for an interior lineman and great versatility to play almost anywhere along the line. He is a powerful blocker in a phone booth who is an alert double-team blocker. Walker lacks the quickness and range to defend the outside effectively in the NFL but is a serious consideration for the interior.
OG: Jamil Douglas, Arizona State
Like Walker, Douglas is a versatile blocker who has played guard and tackle in college and could man any position on the interior in the pros. Douglas is inconsistent between blocking phases, as he can be nimble in pass protection, but looks stiff pulling in the running game. Douglas has the anchor to hold up against bigger bodies, but can get sloppy with his pad level, and will need to clean up his inconsistencies to start in the NFL.
OC: Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
The best center prospect since the Pouncey brothers each moved up to the pros, Grasu could have been a first round pick last season. Grasu has very quick snap-to-step quickness and is never beaten off the snap by opposing linemen. He is also a sturdy pass protector who is strong enough and quick enough to neutralize interior rushers. Grasu is also a mobile zone blocker who has helped clear the way for the Ducks high octane rushing attack. If he can he has the intelligence to adapt to a pro-style offense, Grasu has the making of a Pro Bowl center.
Missed the Cut:
QB: Sean Mannion, Oregon State
RB: Jordon James, UCLA
WR: Dres Anderson, Utah
WR: Austin Hill, Arizona
TE: Randall Tellfer, USC
OT: Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
OG: Junior Salt, Utah
OC: Mike Criste, Washington
On the Horizon:
QB: Kevin Hogan,* Stanford
RB: Barry J. Sanders** Stanford
WR: Chris Harper,* California
WR: Nelson Agholar,* USC
TE: Pharaoh Brown,* Oregon
OT: Jeremiah Poutasi,* Utah
OG: Jordan Rigsbee,* California
C: Isaac Seumalo,* Oregon State
Inside next week’s War Room: 2014 SEC Prospect Preview
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