Pac-12 Football: Who Are the Top 50 Returning Players?

The Pac-12 had a good year in 2011, but 2012 looks to be even better.

As we look forward to next season, we thought it would be advantageous to take a closer look at all the talented players in the conference. 

This was in an effort to gauge the best among their ranks and come up with a list of the 50 best returning stars.

However, with so much talent weighing down every team's roster, coming up with a comprehensive list without the fear of leaving someone off has proven to be extremely challenging.

Take a look and let us know what you think.

Here are the top 50 returning players in the Pac-12 Conference.

No. 50 Jackson Rice

So when does a punter make a top 50 list?

When that punter averages 46 yards per kick and has proven to be a weapon in the field-position game.

Mr. Rice is a great punter; look for him to play an even bigger part in the Ducks' 2012 season.

Field position will be even more important for Oregon after losing LaMichael James to the NFL draft.

No. 49 Jon Hays

It will be interesting to see what Jon Hays can do as quarterback for Utah in 2012.

He didn't have a stellar 2011, but still led the Utes to an exciting bowl win against Georgia Tech in overtime.

In that game Hays went 15-of-31 for 193 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw for one interception. It was a pretty typical game for him.

On the season he went 120-of-214 for 1,459 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Look for him and his team to be much improved in 2012.

No. 48 Wes Horton

Wes Horton will be a key to the Trojan defense in 2012.

Look for the USC defensive end to improve on his totals from last season, when he had 22 tackles and four sacks.

He has the potential to do much better. With his team looking to win it all next season, look for Horton to play up.

It will be a good year for him.

No. 47 Andre Heidari

USC Kicker Andre Heidari was incredible as a freshman.

He made 15-of-17 field goals and 50-of-50 extra points.

He made field goals from 50, 47, 46 and 41 yards.

Look for him to continue his success with the stakes even higher in 2012.

No. 46 Ryan Lacy

As a defensive back for the Utes in 2011, Lacy had two interceptions, one sack and 51 tackles, including 39 solo tackles.

He certainly will do that and then some come 2012.

Look for him to up his game and finish his career at Utah on a high note.

 

No. 45 Josh Shirley

Josh Shirley did not play on a great defense in 2011, but that certainly was not his fault.

Look for the Washington Huskies to do much better on the defensive side of the ball in 2012. They added a new defensive coordinator and have several key players coming back.

Shirley is one of those key players at defensive end.

Look for him to improve on his 2011 total of 8.5 sacks and 28 tackles.

No. 44 Travis Long

Travis Long will be a senior in 2012; in his junior season as a defensive end he had 41 tackles. He also had four sacks and one forced fumble.

He was a key player on a very disappointing Washington State team.

However, look for the Cougars to be much improved and for Long to play strong in the 2012 season.

No. 43 Hroniss Grasu and the Oregon Offensive Line

No matter what they tell you, the line always matters.

Hroniss Grasu had a good freshman season, and the Ducks will need him to do it again.

Look for him and his teammates to be a key to the Ducks' continued success.

Carson York may not be back after suffering a knee injury in the Rose Bowl, so look for Nick Cody, Everett Benyard III, Ryan Clanton, Jake Fisher and Hroniss Grasu to help make the Oregon line an impressive sight in 2012.

No. 42 Ben Gardner

Ben Gardner will be looking to finish his career strong.

His junior effort brought 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble as a defensive end for the Cardinal.

He was consistent for Stanford all season, and that will continue in 2012.

Of course, without Andrew Luck, Stanford as a team will be very ordinary.

No. 41 Tra’Mayne Bondurant

The Arizona freshman's year was a good one. Defensive back Tra’Mayne Bondurant had 45 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble on the season.

Look for him to only improve and continue to impress in 2012.

With a new coach and new attitude in Wildcat land, look for Bondurant to shine.

No. 40 Greg Henderson

Colorado freshman defensive back Greg Henderson had a great 2011 season.

He had 55 tackles and one interception for the Buffaloes.

Let's hope his sophomore effort is even more impressive. 

No. 39 Andrew Abbott

In 2011 the junior corner had 44 tackles and four interceptions for the UCLA Bruins.

He had an ankle injury in 2011, but should be looking good in 2012. 

Look for him to make his senior year count. 

No. 38 David Bakhtiari

In 2011, Colorado's Bakhtiari was named second-team All-Pac-12 as an offensive lineman.

He is dominant, but it is too bad his team doesn't follow suit.

Look for him to continue to succeed, even if the Buffaloes don't in 2012.

No. 37 Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith was a good return man for the Washington Huskies in 2011.

He had 37 kickoff returns totaling 958 yards.

He also had 15 receptions for 208 yards and ran the ball five times for 71 yards and one touchdown.

Look for him to contribute even more in 2012. Look for more touchdowns and more receptions in a wide receiver role.

No. 36 Damante Horton

In his sophomore season in 2011, Washington State cornerback Damante Horton had four interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown.

He also contributed with 23 tackles and two forced fumbles for the Cougars.

Look for him to improve those totals in 2012. 

No. 35 Jamal Miles

Arizona State wide receiver Jamal Miles is very versatile; in 2011 he caught 60 passes for 361 yards and six touchdowns for the Sun Devils.

His biggest contribution was in the return game, where he had 31 kickoff returns for 788 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 23 punt returns for 232 yards and one more TD.

According to The Arizona Republic, he missed the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas due to personal issues. If he is back on the field in 2012, he will be dynamic.

No. 34 Austin Seferian-Jenkins

Look for Austin Seferian-Jenkins to improve on his already impressive freshman season at tight end for the Washington Huskies.

In 2011 he grabbed 41 catches for 538 yards and six touchdowns.

That total will only go up with the talent the Huskies have returning on offense. 

No. 33 Chase Thomas

Look for linebacker Chase Thomas to make a difference for the Stanford Cardinal.

He had a decent 2011 campaign, but expect him to improve even more in 2012.

In 2011 he had 52 tackles, 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles, not to mention four quarterback hurries and 17.5 tackles for loss.

It was a good year, but all indications are that his next one should be better.

No. 32 Trent Murphy

Stanford linebacker Trent Murphy had a good year in 2011. Look for him to have a great year in 2012.

A big presence on the Cardinal defense, the 6'6", 246-lb Murphy had 40 tackles and 6.5 sacks on the season.

In 2012 look for more of the same, and then some.

No. 31 Kevin Graf

Look for Graf to get some help from his fellow USC linemen.

The Trojans will have all but one starter returning on the line. This should give Matt Barkley plenty of time to throw.

That is bad news for the USC Trojans' opponents come 2012.

No. 30 Markus Wheaton

Oregon State standout Markus Wheaton is a complete wide receiver.

In 2011 he caught 73 passes for 986 yards and one touchdown for the Beavers.

He also carried the ball 25 times for an additional 190 yards.

Look for the soon-to-be senior to help his team look much better in 2012. 

No. 29 Dion Jordan

Defensive end Dion Jordan made his presence known for the Ducks in 2011.

He will do the same in 2012.

He had 39 tackles, 7.5 sacks and one forced fumble on the season. He is a very key part of that Oregon defense, and he will only improve in his senior year.

At 6'7" and 230 lbs, it won't be easy to ignore this Duck.

No. 28 Stepfan Taylor

Look for Stanford to go heavy on the run in 2012.

If that is the case, look for running back Stepfan Taylor to improve on his already impressive 2011 stats.

On the season, Taylor ran for 1,330 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 182 additional yards and two more TDs.

Look for him to be the leader on a Cardinal offense that will need it desperately next season.

No. 27 Khaled Holmes

The All-Conference center will have another great year for the USC Trojans.

At 6'4", 310 lbs, look for Holmes to finish strong and be a serious NFL draft pick come 2013.

No. 26 Nickell Robey

The cornerback's sophomore effort was great; Robey had 63 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions for the Trojans.

Look for him to be a difference-maker on the USC defense once again in 2012.

The Trojans have so many great players coming back, and Nickell Robey is no exception.

No. 25 Princeton Fuimaono

Fuimaono is an excellent linebacker with a bright future.

As a sophomore he had 64 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Look for him to improve in 2012. He will be a force on a much-improved Washington Huskies defense.

No. 24 Trevor Reilly

At age 23, Utah linebacker Trevor Reilly will be entering his junior year in 2012.

He had a decent sophomore effort, but look for that to improve.

With 49 tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble, Reilly was plenty active for the Utes. However, he has the potential to do even more.

Look for him to make a name for himself in 2012.

No. 23 T.J. McDonald

Safety T.J. McDonald is another reason USC will be ranked No. 1 in the first poll for 2012.

The Trojans are happy to know that will be back to play his senior year for USC.

In 2011 he had 69 tackles and three interceptions.

He is an amazing player who should shine next season.

No. 22 Desmond Trufant

Trufant is an impressive cornerback. In 2011 he had 64 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

With all the talent Washington has on defense, it is hard to believe the way Baylor lit them up in the Alamo Bowl.

Look for the new defensive coordinator in Huskies land to utilize his players more effectively; Trufant is at the head of that list.

No. 21 Zach Maynard

California quarterback Maynard had a few rough games in 2011, but overall it was a decent year.

He threw for 2,990 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Golden Bears.

His biggest problem was pass protection; the QB was sacked 27 times.

Look for him to finish his senior season strong in 2012.

No. 20 Cameron Marshall

Even though Arizona State running back Cameron Marshall had a horrible bowl game, he will bounce back.

Against Boise State in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas, Marshall ran for just 12 yards. However, the rest of the season was much different.

On the season, Marshall ran for 1,050 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 24 passes for 188 yards on the year.

Look for the Sun Devils RB to have a good 2012 despite losing his quarterback to the NFL draft.

No. 19 Jarek Lancaster

Jarek Lancaster of the Stanford Cardinal will be one to watch in 2012.

He finished the 2011 season with a great performance in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

In that game he had seven solo tackles and was flying around the field like a madman.

For the 2011 season he had 70 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Look for him to do more of the same next season.

No. 18 Sean Mannion

Mannion was recently named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.

As the Beavers quarterback, Mannion threw for 3,328 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a bit heavy on the interceptions, but that comes from being a freshman and trying too hard to help a team that rarely helped themselves.

Look for Oregon State to be much improved, and look for Sean Mannion to improve on his freshman success. 

No. 17 Star Lotulelei

Look for another shining season from this Star at defensive tackle.

In 2011 he had 45 tackles and 1.5 sacks for Utah. In 2012 look for him to up those totals greatly.

It will be an all-around good year for the Utes, and Lotulelei will be one of several reasons why.

No. 16 Marqise Lee

USC Freshman All-American wide receiver Marqise Lee will have another great year in 2012.

In 2011 he caught 73 passes for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He will be an important part of the Matt Barkley project as the Trojans compete for a national title. 

No. 15 John Boyett

Boyett was incredible in 2011. As a safety he had 107 tackles, with 67 of them solo.

He is an intense, fast and smart player.

Look for him to make another big impact for the Oregon Ducks come 2012.

No. 14 Sean Parker

Safety Sean Parker will be one to watch in the upcoming 2012 college football season.

In 2011 he had 91 tackles and four interceptions. Look for him to improve even on those impressive numbers.

He will be part of a Washington Huskies team that is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2012.

No. 13 Curtis McNeal

With a quarterback like Matt Barkley, you can bet McNeal will have success running the ball.

In 2011 McNeal ran for 1,005 yards and six touchdowns for the Trojans. Those totals will go up in 2012.

Barkley will be throwing the ball all over the place, and that will only help open up the run game. Look for McNeal to have a career year for USC.

No. 12 De'Anthony Thomas

The Oregon Ducks have so many weapons. Add to that arsenal freshman running back and All-American De'Anthony Thomas.

This guy was incredible in 2011. You can look for more of that in 2012.

He ran for 595 yards and seven touchdowns, and caught 46 passes for 605 yards and nine more TDs.

He is electric, sensational, explosive and 10 other cliché adjectives.

Look for him to light it up again in 2012.

No. 11 Robert Woods

USC wide receiver Robert Woods had a great sophomore season. He caught 111 passes for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Trojans.

It may be hard for him to top his 2011 performance, but with Matt Barkley around it won't be impossible.

No. 10 Kenjon Barner

Barner is flirting with the idea of going pro. Well, that would be a dumb idea for him.

Next year you can expect Barner to have a stellar year for the Oregon Ducks—if he stays that is.

In 2011 he was backup running back to LaMichael James and still ran for 939 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He also caught 17 passes for 184 yards and three more TDs, including a touchdown reception in the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin.

If he is around in 2012, expect him to make a serious impact.

No. 9 Isi Sofele

Look for this Golden Bear running back to keep it rolling in 2012.

Isi Sofele is a dynamic runner with moves and speed.

In the 2011 season he ran for 1,322 yards and 10 touchdowns. Look for that total to go up in 2012.

Cal will be a bit improved next season, which should help Sofele's numbers.

No. 8 Marquess Wilson

Washington State Cougars wide receiver Marquess Wilson will be entering his junior year riding high.

In 2011 he caught 82 passes for 1,388 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He averaged 16.9 yards per touch, and his longest reception was an 85-yard catch-and-run against Arizona State.

He also had three games with multiple touchdowns and two games in which he gained over 200 yards.

2012 figures to be more of the same for Mr. Wilson.

No. 7 Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen is a dynamic wide receiver, and Cal is lucky to have him.

Look for him to improve on his totals in 2012.

That will be a bit difficult considering he caught 98 passes for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns for the Golden Bears in 2011.

However, he has the talent and ability to take it up a notch.

No. 6 Scott Crichton

Scott Crichton had an incredible freshman year at defensive end for the Beavers.

On the season he had 74 tackles, with 48 of those solo, six sacks and three forced fumbles.

His performance earned him first-team Freshman All-American honors from several key publications.

Look for him to take his play to another level in 2012. He will help an Oregon State team have a much better year.

No. 5 Hayes Pullard

In 2011 USC linebacker Hayes Pullard had 77 tackles and four sacks for the Trojans.

You could say he had a good freshman year.

Look for his 2012 sophomore effort to be even better.

No. 4 Darron Thomas

Look for quarterback Darron Thomas to take the Ducks sky high once again.

In 2011 Thomas threw for 2,761 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also rushed for 206 yards with another three touchdowns.

It will be interesting to see how that dynamic Ducks offense looks without running back LaMichael James, who has decided to enter the NFL draft.

However, Oregon has enough talent returning to make a bid for another Pac-12 title.

No. 3 John White IV

He ran for 1,519 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011 for Utah. He also caught two touchdown passes.

He is a good, solid, all-around running back with the skills and speed to be a considerable force.

Look for John White IV to have a phenomenal season in 2012.

The Utes themselves will be much improved, with very few losses at key positions.

No. 2 Keith Price

Quarterback Keith Price:

All he did in 2011 was throw for 3,063 yards, 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a quarterback rating of 161.9.

So what will he do in his junior season?

Expect the Price to go up even more in 2012.

The Huskies will improve on their decent season, which ended in a shootout loss to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl.

In that game, Price went 23-of-37 for 438 yards and four touchdowns. His rating in that contest was an amazing 197.3.

Good things are coming for Keith Price and the Washington Huskies in 2012.

No. 1 Matt Barkley

After turning down his chance to go pro, look for Matt Barkley to go for the gold.

The USC Trojans, behind the accurate arm of their extremely talented quarterback, will be looking to win it all in 2012.

As a junior, Barkley threw for 3,528 yards and an incredible 39 touchdowns.

Look for more of that next season. With several key starters returning, the Trojans are looking good for 2012.

Expect Matt Barkley to be a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and his team to be a favorite to win the BCS title.