The Pac-10 2009 All-Defensive Team Picks

DL Ricky Elmore, Arizona  

The Arizona defense hasn’t been as stout as it has in the past, but Elmore has had a great year. Elmore has racked up 8.5 sacks to lead the conference, as well as nine tackles for loss. He is only a junior and should be expected to scare offenses in 2010 as well.

DL Everson Griffin, USC  

Everson Griffin has been one of very few bright spots on this Trojan team. Griffin makes plays all over the field and has one heck of a motor. Just ask Oregon wide receiver D.J. Davis, who was running a screen play and was leveled by Griffin outside the hash marks.  Griffin has eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss on a defense that has had some trouble stopping people.

DL Thomas Keiser, Stanford 

The Cardinal defense has not stopped very many people, but Thomas Keiser has been a force throughout the entire year. Keiser has totaled 12 tackles for loss and must continue to step up since his fellow linebacker Clinton Snyder.

DL Kenny Rowe, Oregon  

Dubbed “Playmaker Kenny Rowe” by some Ducks fans, Rowe has had an outstanding junior season for the Ducks. Rowe has made bigtime plays in big games. He has forced three fumbles, and recorded seven sacks. Rowe also has 8.5 tackles for loss.

LB Keaton Kristick, Oregon State  

Kristick has been a stable force in a Beavers defense that has improved steadily throughout the course of the season. He is near the top of the conference in tackles with 75, and has really taught a young defense how to play like past Beavers defenses.

LB Donald Butler, Washington

Washington may have had a tough year again this year, but Donald Butler has been a bright spot on a unit that hasn’t played half-bad in most of their games. Butler has led the Huskies with 84 tackles, good enough for second in the conference. He also has recorded 11.5 tackles for loss.

LB Mike Mohamed, California  

The Cal Bears may have lost their three starting linebackers after the 2008 season, but they have found a bigtime player in Mohamed. He leads the conference in tackles at 90, and has anchored a defense that has struggled.

LB Vontaz Burfict, Arizona State

The Sun Devils may not have the best record, but it would be much worse if their defense wasn't one of the best in the conference. Freshman linebacker Vontaz Burfict has helped lead that defense with 53 tackles and forcing two fumbles. 

DB Taylor Mays, USC  

Mays may be characterized as a cheap shot artist and he may have trouble reading plays, but Mays was still a force this season. Mays led USC with 73 tackles, which showed the struggles of the Trojan defense.

DB Alterraun Verner, UCLA  

Verner started the season hot, but has slowed down a little bit. Three interceptions and 60 tackles have helped UCLA get some wins early in the year including a road win in Knoxville against Tennessee. But Verner isn’t even the best player in the defensive backfield.

DB Rahim Moore, UCLA

Throughout the year, Moore has said to Verner, "Anything you can do I can do better." Moore has nine picks to lead the conference and has broken up seven passes. These two have UCLA at second in the conference in pass defense.