With the start of the 2008 College Football season just around the corner, the Bleacher Report is here to fill you in on who you need to know in the Pac-10 this year.  Every year, a new batch of stars and up-and-comers invade the media outlets and SportsCenter Top 10 lists.  This year will be no exception.  Here is the lowdown on five special talents ready to break out on the offensive side of the ball.

Jahvid Best
School: University of California Berkeley
Class: True Sophomore
Position: RB
Measurables: 5/10, 193 lb.
Hometown: Vallejo, CA

With incumbent tailback Justin Forsett off to back up fellow Pac-10 alum Maurice Morris in Seattle, the Bears depth chart is wide open at tailback.  Forsett went for 1,546 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns last year, and someone will have to step up to replace that production.  Enter Jahvid Best.

Last season, Best showed the flashes of brilliance that made him one of the top running back recruits in the country last year.  Coaches like USC’s Pete Carroll and Notre Dame’s Charlie Weis recruited him heavily (even coming to see him play in person), but he spurned their advances and decided to stay close to home.

Best possesses a combination of track-star speed (his 20.65 in the 200 was good for second in the nation his senior year of high school) and better-than-average strength.  His toughness and willingness to run between the tackles were both pleasant surprises.  Though he only caught thirteen balls last year, he has the ability to get open and is exceptionally dangerous in space.

Also, with the departure of WR/PR DeSean Jackson to the Philadelphia Eagles, expect the bay area product to make big plays in the punt return game.

It’s no secret that Cal lost a lot of their most consistent (Forsett, WR Lavelle Hawkins) and explosive (Jackson) offensive weapons last year.  The Bears will need someone to consistently carry the load, while providing the big plays that are necessary to succeed in the Pac-10.  It’s obvious who is the Best man for the job.

(Sorry, I had to.  It was too easy.  Please don’t stop reading.  No more puns, I promise.)


Damian Williams
School: Southern Cal
Position: WR
Class: Sophomore (Transfer)
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 190
Hometown:  Springdale, AR

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