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

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

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

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

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

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.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: Honorable Mention Evan Finkenberg

EARLY All PAC-12 HONORABLE MENTION

RT Evan Finkenberg (via TheSundevils.com)

• Arizona State Sun Devils
• No. 62, 6'6", 295 lbs, Junior
• Was a Scout.com 2-star Commit
• NFL: Project Seventh Round 2014

Evan had to sit out three games in 2011 due to a knee injury. He projects as a late-rounder in the 2014 NFL draft.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: Honorable Mention Percy Taumoelau

EARLY All PAC-12 HONORABLE MENTION

RT Percy Taumoelau (via UtahUtes.com)

• Utah Utes
• No. 79, 6'4", 315 lbs, Junior
• Was a Scout.com 2-star Commit
• NFL: Project Seventh Round 2014

Percy Taumoelau looks to have the left tackle spot after spring. He played in six games in 2011 (10 games in 2010).

He is another late-rounder in the 2014 NFL draft.

2012 Preseason All-PAC-12 Tackles: Honorable Mention Nick Cody

EARLY All PAC-12 HONORABLE MENTION

RT Nick Cody (via GoDucks.com)

• Oregon Ducks
• No. 61, 6'5", 309 lbs, Senior
• Was a Scout.com 3-star Commit
• NFL: Project Undrafted 2013

Nick is back for his senior season at right tackle. He settled into that right tackle spot for the final 13 games of the 2011 season.

Nick does not project to be drafted into the NFL, although there is a chance that he may be signed as a free agent.

Summary of the Early All Pac-12 Offensive Tackles

SUMMARY:

All Pac-12 First team

LT Aundrey Walker, USC

RT Matt Summers-Gavin, Cal

All Pac-12 Second team

RT Kevin Graff, USC

LT David Yankey, Stanford

All Pac-12 Third team

RT David Bakhtiari, Colorado

RT Cameron Fleming, Stanford

All Pac-12 Fourth team

LT John Fullington, Washington State; LT Xavier Su’a Filo, UCLA

All Pac-12 Honorable Mentions

RT Evan Finkenberg, Arizona State; RT Percy Taumoelau, Utah; LT Nick Cody, Oregon