2012 All Pac-12 Picks for Offensive Tackles: Why USC Has the Best Pair

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It is not surprising that USC has two of the top offensive tackles in the Pac-12.

Stanford is a close second with a pair of really good bookends.

But who are the other top tackles in the Pac-12 conference?

A few lists are out, but the long season must be played before the Outland Trophy is awarded to the top lineman in the country.

One of the tackles on this list is almost a lock to win the Morris Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding lineman in the Pac-12.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: 1st Team Aundrey Walker

EARLY All PAC-12 FIRST TEAM

LT Aundrey Walker (via USC.com)

USC Trojans
No. 70, 6'6", 300 lbs, Sophomore
Was a Scout.com 4-star Commit
NFL: Projected First Round 2015

Walker may be the most renowned left tackle spot in college football.

USC left tackles are typically high draft picks in the NFL draft each year (Kalil '12, Smith '11, Brown '10, Baker '08, etc.).

Aundrey could be a top five NFL pick overall in 2015 (or sooner). USC's 2012 success will ensure that Aundrey wins the Morris trophy.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: 1st Team Matt Summers-Gavin

EARLY All PAC-12 FIRST TEAM

RT Matt Summers-Gavin (via Calbears.com)

California Bears
No. 75, 6'4", 295 lbs, Redshirt Senior
Was a Scout.com 4-star Commit
NFL: Projected Sixth Round 2013

Matt projects as a seventh-round tackle in the 2013 NFL draft due to his height.

He might make a better NFL guard, but Matt makes first team because of his experience and projected level of play this season.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: 2nd Team Kevin Graf

EARLY All PAC-12 SECOND TEAM

RT Kevin Graf (via USCTrojans.com)

USC Trojans
No. 77, 6'6", 305 lbs, Redshirt Junior
Was a Scout.com 4-star Commit
NFL: Project Third Round 2014

Kevin fell just short in his bid to win the left-tackle job at USC this spring.

Although disappointing for Kevin, he works hard at right tackle "for the team" (via The Orange County Register).

Don't forget, before Graf, it was Tyron Smith at right tackle. Recall Tyron was the ninth pick in the 2011 NFL draft, an immediate starter and an all-rookie performer.

USC has the two players in the top three of the All Pac-12 picks. That is why they have the best pair.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: 2nd Team David Yankey

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

EARLY All PAC-12 SECOND TEAM

LT David Yankey (via GoStanford.com)

Stanford Cardinal
No. 54, 6'5", 305 lbs, Junior
Was a Scout.com 3-star Commit
NFL: Projected First Round 2015

David will finally start at left tackle this year replacing Jonathan Martin. He will eventually vie for the top tackle selected in the 2015 draft with USC's Walker.

Both players will be selected within the top ten picks in 2015.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: 3rd Team David Bakhtiari

EARLY All PAC-12 THIRD TEAM

RT David Bakhtiari (via CUBuffs.com)

Colorado Buffaloes
No. 59, 6'4", 295 lbs, Redshirt Junior
Was a Scout.com 2-star Commit
NFL: Projected Third Round 2014

David projects as a third-round tackle in the 2014 NFL draft.

Bakhtiari may make a better NFL guard due to his height.

He also might make a better NFL guard, but David makes first team because of his experience and expected level of play this season.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: 2nd Team Cameron Fleming

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

EARLY All PAC-12 THIRD TEAM

RT Cameron Fleming (via GoStanford.com)

Stanford Cardinal
No. 73, 6'6", 290 lbs, Junior
Was a Scout.com 3-star Commit
NFL: Projected First Round 2015

Cameron did not play in 2010 (redshirted). He was an All Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2011. He is also a projected NFL first-rounder in 2015.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: 4th Team John Fullington

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

EARLY All PAC-12 FOURTH TEAM

LT John Fullington (via WSUCougars.com)

Washington State Cougars
No. 77, 6'5", 290 lbs, Redshirt Junior
Was a Scout.com 3-star Commit
NFL: Project Fifth Round 2014

John played in all 12 games as a freshman back in 2012.

Last year he started all 12 games at left guard and was an All Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention. John is projected as an NFL fifth-rounder due to his size.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: 4th Team Xavier Su'a Filo

Xavier Su'a Filo interview at the 1:00 min mark

EARLY All PAC-12 FOURTH TEAM

LT Xavier Su'a Filo (via UCLA.com)

UCLA Bruins
No. 56, 6'4", 310 lbs, Sophomore
Was a Scout.com 4-star Commit
NFL: Project Fifth Round 2015

He is back. Xavier started all 13 games at left tackle back in 2009 for UCLA. Then he went on his two-year Morman mission. He will start at left tackle for the 2012 season and his rust is the only reason he isn't higher on this list.

Xavier projects as an NFL fifth-rounder due to his size.