2011 College Football : Top 20 Players in the Pac-12 Conference
With February in our rear-view mirror, the calender has turned to March and the college football season draws one month closer. For the Pac-10, 2011 will be a very exciting year. The conference will be adding two teams and shifting into two divisions.
With the addition of Colorado and Utah, the talent pool has gotten deeper in the newly names Pac-12. While the conference has some outstanding defensive performers, the Pac-12 will continue to be dominated by offense.
Here are the top 20 players in the Pac-12.
No. 20: Chaz Walker
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The first player on this list comes from one of the new teams to join the Pac-12. Utah's Chaz Walker was names to the second All-Mountain West conference defense.
In 2010, Walker was able to go sideline-to-sideline and help track down plays. Walker recorded over 100 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble last year.
It will be interesting to see how both Utah's and Colorado's defense are able to adjust to the wide-open style of the Pac-12.
No. 19: Chris Owusu
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Anytime you have Andrew Luck throwing you the ball, you are going to have many opportunities to make big plays. Chris Owusu had a promising start to his 2010 season, but injuries limited his productivity.
In 2011, Luck will be without his top two receivers from last year and will have to look to Owusu to help fill the holes. Owusu has the ability to be a big-time playmaker and will now be given the opportunity. The only question will be if he can stay healthy.
No. 18: Rodney Stewart
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The other team to join the Pac-12 this year is the Colorado Buffaloes. While the Pac-12 is deep with running talent, Rodney Stewart will be sure to stand out.
Coming from Big 12, Rodney was able to put up over 1,300 yards and 10 scores. With a shift to the Pac-12, Rodney will be in a conference that is a bit more wide open and should give him an opportunity to shine.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 17: Matt Barkley
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After starting as a true freshman, Matt Barkley has seen his fair share of ups and downs. While the sanctions against USC may cause them to drop off the map for a couple years, Barkley has continued to improve as a passer and leader.
Coming into his third year as starter, Barkley looks primed for a big season. A true growing step for Barkley would be seeing him lead the Trojans into Autzen Stadium and beat the Ducks.
No. 16: Robert Woods
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Robert Woods had a terrific freshman season and will look to grow on that in 2011.
Last year, Woods received All-Pac-10 honorable mention but also led the Trojans in receiving yards, while pulling in six touchdowns.
Coming into 2011, Woods has already developed a great relationship and chemistry for quarterback Matt Barkley. Look for the two of them to pick up where they left off last year.
No. 15: Kenjon Barner
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While the attention will be on LaMichael James in 2011, Kenjon Barner will play a bigger role in the Oregon offense this coming season. Due to graduation, the Ducks have lost senior receivers Jeff Maehl and D.J. Davis.
With these loses, Barner will likely see more time playing in the slot and motioning back into the backfield. Not only is Barner an exceptional offensive player, but he has also made a name for himself returning kicks.
No. 14: John Boyett
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Overshadowed by the play of the offense last year, was the outstanding play of the Oregon defense. While the Ducks had some players step up and make big plays in the front seven, Oregon consistently got help from their secondary and players like John Boyett.
Boyett is a hard-hitting ball hawk that gives the Ducks defense stability at the safety position. He routinely stepped up with big plays and made some key interceptions throughout the year.
No. 13: Stepfan Taylor
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While Andrew Luck will get most of the talk, teams better not forget about running back Stepfan Taylor. Taylor had a great 2010 and is a back that has both strength and speed.
With some of the losses at wide receiver, Stanford will try to remain as balanced as possible which means plenty of carries for Taylor.
No. 12: Vontaze Burfict
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Vontaze Burfict is a player that is not only a leader, but also intimidating. While there are times that Burfict's passion can get the best of him, he has shown the ability to make big plays game in and game out.
In 2010, Burfict was named to the second team All-Pac-10. In 2011, he will look to lead the much improved Sun Devils and help them make a run towards the top of the Pac-12.
No. 11: T.J. McDonald
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In 2010, T.J. McDonald was one of only three defensive players to be named to either the first or second All-Pac-10 team. In a year in which the spotlight was rarely on USC, McDonald stepped up and had a great sophomore year.
Coming into 2011, USC will look to continue to improve their defense and McDonald should be a huge part of that. If he can continue his pace from last year, he will be considered one of the top secondary players in the conference.
No. 10: Mychal Kendricks
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During the 2010 season, many defenses left the field with their heads down after playing the Oregon Ducks. Late in the year, Cal's defense stepped up and held the Oregon offense way below their season average.
Mychal Kendricks was a key piece in that defense and will look to step up again in 2011. Last year, Kendricks had one interceptions and also nine sacks. He ended the year by being named to the second team All-Pac-10 defense.
No. 9: Juron Criner
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Juron Criner's role in the Arizona offense has become bigger and bigger over the past couple of years. Last year, Criner pulled in 11 scores and had over 1,100 receiving yards.
In 2011, Criner and Nick Foles will be a hard duo to contain through the air. Criner has great size and has developed into a great route runner. Look for Criner to be named to the first or second All-Pac-12 offensive team.
No. 8: Jonathan Franklin
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After the year that LaMichael James and Jacquizz Rodgers had in the state of Oregon, Jonathan Franklin's season was passed over. While UCLA had another disappointing season, Franklin was named to the second team All-Pac-10 team.
With over 1,100 rushing yards last year, the Bruins will again rely on Franklin in 2011 and hope he can open up the passing game.
No. 7: Nick Foles
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Nick Foles may be the most up and down player in this top 20, but when he is up, he is almost unstoppable. Many thought that Foles may leave for the NFL draft this year, but has decided to return to campus.
Foles has put together back-to-back great seasons and will be giving it one more shot. Arizona and Foles will have to be ready early as Oregon will be coming to town early in the year to kickoff the Pac-12 season.
No. 6: Omar Bolden
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Omar Bolden had an outstanding year in 2010, both at cornerback, as well as returning kicks. Last year, Bolden was names to the first team All-Pac-10 team, pulling in three interceptions and scoring both on defense, as well as special teams.
Along with Vontaze Burfict, Bolden should help the Arizona State defense slow down some of the Pac-12 offenses.
No. 5: Chris Polk
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While most of the spotlight last year was on Jake Locker, Chris Polk quietly had a great year. Coming into 2011, Keith Prince will be taking over the reins of the Huskies offense, but they will largely lean on Polk.
In 2011, much of the attention will go to LaMichael James, but keep your eyes on Polk. If Prince can make teams respect his passing abilities, Polk could be off and running.
No. 4: Cliff Harris
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Coming into 2010, Cliff Harris was a relative unknown outside of Eugene. By midseason, he went from an unknown to a player that was consistently kicked away from and teams started to shy away from him through the air as well.
Harris is a dual threat for Oregon. Will Harris is quickly developing into a shutdown corner, his return skills are unmatched. If teams give Harris an opportunity to make a play this year, Harris will be ready to make them pay.
No. 3: Darron Thomas
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Any other year, Darron Thomas would have been the best quarterback in his conference. When Andrew Luck decided to stay at Stanford, Thomas slipped to the second-best quarterback, but not by much.
In his first year as a starter, Thomas led the Ducks through an undefeated season and brought Oregon to its first national championship game. While Thomas was only a sophomore this past season, he showed the leadership of a senior.
Thomas will join teammate LaMichael James as Heisman candidate but after last years successes, he has set the bar for 2011 very high.
No. 2: Andrew Luck
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Andrew Luck might as well be 1b instead of the No. 2 player on this list. Luck had an outstanding year in 2010, leading Stanford to a 12-1 record.
This year, Luck will be without two of his top receivers from 2010 and without head coach Jim Harbaugh. Even with those loses, Luck would have been a sure No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and will have another outstanding season at Stanford.
No. 1: LaMicheal James
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Topping the list is LaMichael James. James led the nation in rushing yards last year as a sophomore and will be a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.
In coach Chip Kelly's spread offense, the value and effectiveness of James becomes even greater. As Darron Thomas continues to improve on the read option, James will continue to break big run after big run.
Look for James to lead the Pac-12 in rushing and help the Ducks make a run for a third straight Pac-12 championship.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
