2012 All Pac-12 Picks for Wide Receivers: USC Dominates the Conference

There is a good reason why USC is projected to be the preseason No. 1 team in the nation this year. They have the best quarterback in the country and he is protected by one of the best offensive lines in the nation. The Trojans also have a great pair of tight ends and the most productive running backs in the Pac-12. And their receivers—well, no one comes close.

Sure, there are a few Pac-12 teams with one great receiver, like Keenan Allen at Cal or Marquess Wilson at Washington State, but there are no other Pac-12 teams with a multitude of great receivers. What is meant here is that USC has at least three receivers who can win the Heisman Trophy.

Nelson Agholor, Victor Blackwell, De'Von Flournoy and Darreus Rogers are all extremely talented, highly-ranked receivers and all are USC Trojans. Each one would be the star receiver on any pass-happy Pac-12 team. But believe it or not, there are three other receivers on USC's squad that are even better than those four.

Robert Woods, Marqise Lee and George Farmer are all capable of winning the Heisman Trophy. Woods could win the award in 2012. Lee or Farmer could win it in 2013 or 2014. George Farmer is moved back to receiver for 2012 and may have up to 1,000 yards by the end of the season. Farmer played running back last year, however, he has been moved to his natural position. 

To think that these seven receivers go to the same university is remarkable. To think that Woods, Lee and Farmer went to the same high school, at the same time, is unbelievable.

Woods will be healthy this season and may accumulate over 1,500 yards. Joining him on the All Pac-12 First Team is Marqise Lee. Marquess Wilson had just slightly better stats than Lee; however, in 2012 Lee should out-catch Wilson by a wide margin. It will be easier to double-cover Wilson than to double-cover every tight end, running back and wide receiver on USC's team.

Cal's Keenan Allen only had six touchdowns (compared to Woods' 15 or Lee's 11), but he can still put up the yards. He will make All Pac-12 Second Team with Wilson.

• Woods, Lee and Allen are expected to be first-round picks in their respective NFL drafts.
• Wilson should be a second-rounder in this year's NFL draft.

The All Pac-12 Third Team award is going to a pair of young sophomores who will light it up this year. Oregon's DeAnthony Thomas sometimes lines up as a running back, but is listed as a receiver. He will be a first-round NFL pick in 2015 (or 2014 if he jumps early), no matter what position he is. The other 2015 (or 2014) NFL first-rounder is USC's George Farmer.

Here is the list of preseason picks for the All Pac-12 wide receivers:

Early All PAC-12 First Team:

Robert Woods

• USC Trojans
• No. 2, 6'1", 190 lbs, Junior
• 1292 yards – 11.6 yard per catch – 15 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 5-star commit
• NFL: Projected First Round in 2013

Marqise Lee 

• USC Trojans
• No. 9, 6'0", 195 lbs, Sophomore
• 1143 yards – 15.7 yards per catch – 11 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 4-star commit
• NFL: Projected First Round in 2014

Early All PAC-12 Second Team:

Keenan Allen

• California Bears
• No. 21, 6'3", 210 lbs, Junior
• 1343 yards – 13.7 yards per catch – 6 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 5-star commit
• NFL: Projected First Round in 2013

Marquess Wilson

• Washington State Cougars
• No. 86, 6'4", 185 lbs, Junior
• 1388 yards – 16.9 yards per catch – 12 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 3-star commit
• NFL: Projected Second Round in 2013

Early All PAC-12 Third Team:

DeAnthony Thomas

• Oregon Ducks
• No. 6, 5'9", 173 lbs, Sophomore
• 605 yards – 13.2 yards per catch – 9 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 5-star commit
• NFL: Projected First Round in 2015

George Farmer

• USC Trojans
• No. 8, 6'1", 205 lbs, Sophomore
• Converted from Running Back
• Was a Scout.com 5-star commit
• NFL: Projected First Round in 2015

Early All PAC-12 Fourth Team:

Dan Buckner

• Arizona Wildcats
• No. 4, 6'4", 215 lbs, Senior
• 606 yards – 14.4 yards per catch – 2 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 4-star commit
• NFL: Projected Third Round in 2013

Markus Wheaton

• Oregon State Beavers
• No. 2, 6'0", 182 lbs, Senior
• 986 yards – 13.5 yards per catch – 1 TD
• Was a Scout.com 3-star commit
• NFL: Projected Fifth Round in 2013

Early All PAC-12 Honorable Mentions:

Devonte Christopher

• Utah Utes
• No. 10, 6'1", 200 lbs, Senior
• 663 yards – 15.8 yards per catch – 5 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 3-star commit
• NFL: Projected Undrafted in 2013

Kasen Williams

• Washington Huskies
• No. 2, 6'2", 215 lbs, Sophomore
• 427 yards – 11.9 yards per catch – 6 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 4-star commit
• NFL: Projected Undrafted in 2015

Josh Huff

• Oregon Ducks
• No. 1, 5'11", 200 lbs, Junior
• 430 yards – 13.9 yards per catch – 2 TDs
• Was a Scout.com 4-star commit
• NFL: Projected Undrafted in 2014

Other preseason picks:

All-Pac-12 Picks for Quarterbacks

All-Pac-12 Picks for Running Backs

All-Pac-12 Picks for Centers

All-Pac-12 Picks for Offensive Guards

All-Pac-12 Picks for Offensive Tackles

All-Pac-12 Picks for Tight Ends