College Football Recruiting 2011: The Top Pac-12 Offensive Position Classes
We move on in our positional class rankings, now out west to the new Pac-12 conference. We will see Utah and Colorado join the Pac-10, and yes their recruiting classes have been factored in our rankings of the top classes by position.
Known as a seven on seven conference, the Pac-12 has routinely put out great QBs and skill position players. The 2011 crop just infused the mantra as their are some great offensive prospects headed out west.
Let's take a look at who's top dog by position on the "Best-Coast".
Top OL Class: USC
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The Trojans take this honor by signing two elite guard prospects in Aundrey Walker, the top guard in the country and Cyrus Hobbi, a physical lineman from Arizona. Walker could be a candidate to see time as a true freshman, as the 6'5", 255 pounder is a mauler.
Lane Kiffin knew the Trojans needed depth in the offensive trenches and went after the big ugly position hard on the trail. Kiffin even had the Trojans looking at Cyrus Koaundjio and Christian Westerman.
Yet with Hobbi and Walker, toss in Marcus Martin, and JUCO recruits Jeremy Galten and David Garness and USC is the clear winner.
Top TE Class: Washington State
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The TE class for the 2011 crop was a bit thin for the Pac-12. Washington got the best TE prospect in Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, but I think he could develop into a left tackle in Seattle.
Arizona got two studs in Drew Robinson and Mike Cooper, but I just think Paul Wulf and his staff do a great job of evaluating high school players, which is why the nod goes to Washington State.
The Cougars signed Mansel Simmons, a 6'4", 220 pounder that can run like a deer and become a flex tight end, along with Max Hershey, a 6'3", 235 pound tight end that can factor as a blocker and in the passing game.
Top WR Class: USC
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Once again it was the Trojans who took home another top position class, this time it's the receivers. Oregon came class with getting Devon Blackmon and Rashad Vaughn, as I think Blackmon could be poised to catch some balls in Eugene in 2011. He's speedy and can also factor in the return game.
But when you get George Farmer, alone that's a great class, but USC also got Victo Blackwell and Junior Pomee, who could move to tight end, all in one class.
Farmer, at 6'2" and 200 pounds has 4.3 speed and could be just good enough to crack the talent rich receiver depth chart as a freshman. Blackwell has been the top target for both Max Wittek and Matt Barkley at Mater Dei, and Pomee catches everything in his zip code.
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Top RB Class: California
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This was a close call between Utah and Cal. I criticized Harvey Langi originally for choosing to stay home and run for the Utes, as they were in a spread offense at the time. Since, they have hired Norm Chow and Langi fits the pro-style attack Chow will use better.
Utah also signed two shifty backs in Jerrell Oliver and John White, a JUCO back who is looking for immediate carries.
But I gave the nod to Cal, as the bears signed four great rock toters in JUCO recruit C.J. Anderson, Brendon Bigelow, Daniel Lasco and Darren Ervin.
Top QB Class: USC
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Arizona State was not far behind USC in the QB class honors, as the Sun Devils got two studs. I love Micheal Bercovici, as I've seen him play in person and think he's a great sleeper QB prospect. Plus, Mike Eubank is a 6'5", 230 pound dual threat type that can make waves.
But USC got two starting caliber signal callers in 2011 in Cody Kessler and Max Wittek. Wittek is a 6'4", 215 pounder with a strong arm who took the reigns from Matt Barkley at Mater Dei and will look to do so again at USC.
Kessler is a 6'1", 210 pound accurate passer, with a solid arm and mobility. Both players are already enrolled at USC and getting reps in spring drills.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
