2012 All Pac-12 Picks for Centers: USC's Khaled Holmes Leads the Conference

Is it possible that an offensive center could win the Outland Trophy as best lineman in the nation? Or the Pac-12's best lineman award in the Morris Trophy?

It is if your name is Khaled Holmes. Khaled is the center, senior statesman, and offensive line team leader for USC. Holmes went to Mater Dei high school in Santa Ana, California with USC’s quarterback Matt Barkley. Mater Dei is the same high school as former alumni as NFL quarterbacks Colt Brennan, Matt Leinart and John Huarte. Leinart and Huarte are Heisman Trophy winners. USC’s up-and-coming freshman quarterback, Max Wittek, also graduated Mater Dei.

There are plenty of seniors on this list, but Holmes is the only one who is a projected first-round draft pick for the NFL in 2013. If an offensive center wins the Morris Trophy, or even the Outland Trophy, it will be Khaled Holmes in 2012.

Here is a quick look at the preseason picks for the best Pac-12 centers.

EARLY All PAC-12 FIRST TEAM

Khaled Holmes

• USC Trojans
• No. 78, 6'4", 305 lbs, senior
• Was a Scout.com 4-star commit
• NFL: Projected first round in 2013

EARLY All PAC-12 SECOND TEAM

Hroniss Grasu

• Oregon Ducks
• No. 55, 6'3", 285 lbs, sophomore
• Was a Scout.com 3-star commit
• NFL: Projected fourth round in 2013

EARLY All PAC-12 THIRD TEAM

Brian Schwenke

• California Bears
• No. 57, 6'4", 315 lbs, senior
• Was a Scout.com 3-star commit
• NFL: Projected undrafted in 2013

EARLY All PAC-12 FOURTH TEAM

Kyle Quinn

• Arizona Wildcats
• No. 76, 6'3", 295 lbs, senior
• Was a Scout.com 3-star commit
• NFL: Projected undrafted in 2013

EARLY All PAC-12 HONORABLE MENTIONS

Tevita Stevens

• Utah Utes
• No. 54, 6'3", 300 lbs, senior
• Was a Scout.com 2-star commit
• NFL: Projected undrafted in 2013

Drew Schaefer

• Washington Huskies
• No. 73, 6'4", 290 lbs, senior
• Was a Scout.com 3-star commit
• NFL: Projected undrafted in 2013

Other preseason picks:

All Pac-12 Picks for Offensive Guards

All Pac-12 Picks for Offensive Tackles