(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
More so than perhaps any other conference in the country, the Pac-10 has been known for producing some golden arms this decade.
Currently, six starting NFL quarterbacks spent their time in college at a Pac-10 school, and many others are carrying clipboards waiting for their shot.
The USC Trojans have been most responsible for continuing the quarterback prestige in the conference, producing two Heisman Trophy winners (Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart) and three top ten picks (Palmer, Leinart, and Mark Sanchez) this decade.
The cherry on top is that Matt Cassel, who could never quite crack the starting lineup during his time in Southern California, led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record last year and is now the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
When you look at some of the other big-time quarterbacks to play in the conference this decade, it can be quite astonishing. Names like Joey Harrington, Aaron Rodgers, Akili Smith, Kyle Boller, Trent Edwards, Dennis Dixon, John David Booty, and Derek Anderson, along with the aforementioned Trojan stars, prove even further just how talented the position has been.
Could it be possible, though, that the quarterbacks to play in the conference in the next decade will be even better?
Take a look around the Pac-10 right now. How many seniors do you see starting at quarterback?
The answer is three. Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon State's Sean Canfield, and Arizona State's Danny Sullivan are the only starters in the division that will not have the option of returning to their schools next fall.
Now consider the rest.
Currently, four Pac-10 teams are starting freshmen at quarterback, one is starting a sophomore, and two are starting juniors. That is an incredible amount of talent that is only going to get better with experience.
Let's take a look at these players and how they project in the future of Pac-10 play.
Jake Locker, Washington - Junior
Locker is considered the best quarterback in the division right now and one of the top players in all of college football.
Already projected to be a high first-round pick if he chooses to leave, many are already speculating that he could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 Draft if he stays in school.
Locker has blossomed in new head coach Steve Sarkisian's pro style offense in their first year together. Coming off an injury-plagued sophomore campaign, Locker has showed remarkable improvement as a passer to go along with his ideal physical tools.
If Locker does come back for his senior season, you can guarantee that every coach in the Pac-10 (not named Steve Sarkisian) is going to let out a huge groan.
Locker will be one of the leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy, should he return and may end up battling for it with another Pac-10 quarterback. More on that later.
Kevin Riley, California - Junior
While not quite the five-star caliber talent that we are used to seeing Jeff Tedford produce, Riley is more than a serviceable signal caller who has had his share of big games while at Cal.
While his numbers haven't been totally jaw-dropping this season, especially as his team slumped early in Pac-10 play, it should be mentioned that Riley has only thrown one interception this season.
With one more year of eligibility it is hard not to think that Riley will be playing at an even higher level in his senior season. And you can never rule out a Jeff Tedford quarterback.
Tedford is one of the best quarterback coaches in college football today and it is clear that Riley has all the talent to at least lead the Bears to a respectable bowl game. Only time will tell.
Nick Foles, Arizona - Sophomore
Okay, who is this guy and where did he come from? I live in Scottsdale and I often drive down to Tucson to visit some of my high school friends that went to U of A. Before this season started, all the talk was about quarterback Matt Scott.
Needless to say, I was very surprised to see that Scott was benched just three games into the season given the preseason hype I had heard about him.
Even more surprising, though, has been the play of Foles so far. The kid has been lights-out in his three starts and has increased his numbers in each one.
His 151.89 quarterback rating leads the conference, and his placement in the starting lineup has jump-started the Wildcats' offense. In the three games, since he's taken over, Arizona is averaging 38.67 points versus just 26.67 in the three before.
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