NFL Draft 2011: The Best Prospects From Each Pac-10 School

With just two and a half months left until the 2011 NFL Draft, we now have a pretty good idea of which 2010 college football players are NFL bound.

The SEC conference, fresh off their fifth consecutive BCS Championship title, has a long list of players expected to be picked in the first round next season.

The Pac-10, on the other hand, has USC with a lot of NFL talent, but does not have nearly the number of NFL prospects as the SEC. Still, there are plenty of Pac-10 players that will be picked high in April's draft.

Here we list the best prospect from each Pac-10 school.

10. Washington State: Brandon Rankin, DE

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 07: Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his sack against the Louisiana State University Tigers with Lorenzo Washington #97 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevi

A big and athletic defensive end, Rankin has the potential to be a premier pass rusher in the NFL.

Rankin played in junior college before transferring to Washington State, somehow piling up 26 sacks one season for Butte College. He had a good season for Washington State last year, showing that he is quick for his size and can intimidate opposing quarterbacks.

9. Arizona State: Lawrence Guy, DT

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TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 of the Arizona State Sun Devils throws a pass during the college football game at Arizona Stadium on December 2, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 30-29 in double overti

Guy was selected as an honorary All Pac-10 Honorable mention after a big year in which he had 44 tackles, six of which were for a loss.

Now expected to be a third or fourth round pick in the NFL Draft, Guy is a great pass rusher with size and athleticism.

8. Stanford: Sione Fua, DT

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PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Sione Fua #92 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he sacked Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Fua has not received a great deal of publicity, but he was a key member of Stanford's excellent run defense in 2010.

An experienced nose tackle, Fua had 22 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season. His presence alone forced many running backs to run to the outside, something that cannot be shown in the box score.

7. Oregon: Casey Matthews, ILB

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Quarterback Ryan Katz #12 of the Oregon State Beavers lays on the turf after being hit by Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Du

The son of NFL great Clay Matthews Jr, Casey had a huge season for the Pac-10 champion Oregon Ducks in 2010, finishing with 73 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions.

Matthews is very disciplined and has great extincts, but will need to work on his pass coverage skills in order to be effective in the NFL. Like his father, Matthews is a great tackler and is extremely quick at getting to his man.

6. USC: Tyron Smith, OT

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans throws a pass as Tyron Smith #70 blocks Jesse Feagin #98 of the Washington State Cougars during the second quarter of the college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial C

Smith is exceptionally agile, has very long arms, and plays with leverage and a wide base. He first gained notice by the media after playing great games against Cal's Cameron Jordan and even against Oregon's powerful defensive line.

A big part of the 2010 Trojans offense, which averaged 31 points and over 430 total yards per game, Smith was the recipient of the 2010 Morris Trophy Award for most outstanding lineman of the Pac-10, voted by his peers.

5. Arizona: Brooks Reed, OLB

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is sacked by Brooks Reed #42 of the Arizona Wildcats during the third quarter of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wild

Brooks Reed had a terrific season for Arizona, including 47 tackles and 6.5 sacks, earning first team All- Pac-10 honors.

An active part of Arizona's great pass rushing over the last two years, Reed stays low, runs well and is active in pursuit. Reed is expected to be taken in the second or third round of the draft.

4. Cal: Cameron Jordan, DT

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan #97 of the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)

Cameron Jordan impressed NFL scouts after a great 2010 season in which he had 51 tackles. 

The thick defensive tackle has great instincts, uses his hands well and will likely force double teams from NFL opponents. The St. Louis Rams, in need of a defensive tackle, will likely choose Jordan with the 14th overall pick.

3. Oregon State: Stephen Paea, DT

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Tyler Gaffney #25 of the Stanford Cardinal jumps in the air as he is hit by Stephen Paea #54 and Gabe Miller #99 of the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra S

A first team All-American in 2010 with 42 tackles and six tacks, Paea is an elite run defender.

Paea has great size for the defensive tackle position at 6'1" 304 pounds, and he has the natural leverage and speed to get to the quarterback.

Having originally played rugby in New Zealand prior to coming to America, Paea has a great work ethic and most scouts think that he will be a first round pick.

2. UCLA: Akeem Ayers, DE

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PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins makes a catch in front of Dwight Roberson #59 and Cameron Collins #5 of the Oregon State Beavers at the Rose Bowl on November 6, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Image

Akeem Ayers has tremendous size for his position at 6'4", 255 pounds, and put up great numbers in 2010 with 68 tackles and four sacks. 

An extremely durable defensive end, Ayers is mobile for his size and is an elite run defender. Ayers, who can also play outside linebacker, is expected to be picked in the middle of the first round, possible by the Detroit Lions.

1. Washington: Jake Locker, QB

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Locker was very consistent during his time in Washington, capping it off with a very solid 2010 in which he had seven 200 yard passing games.

Over the last few seasons, Locker has shown great toughness in the pocket, and he has developed the crucial skill of hanging around in the pocket until a play develops. An outstanding competitor, Locker is one of the best quarterbacks available in the draft.