Pac-12 Football 2011: Power Ranking the 25 Best Players in the Conference

The first season of the PAC-12 might be its best for many years to come.  With two of the top three players in the nation returning to their respective teams, the PAC-12 is going to be good. 

The conference should have the three best quarterbacks in the nation (Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, and Nick Foles), the best running back in LaMichael James, and the best cornerback in Cliff Harris. 

If this isn't proof, the PAC-12 should have two teams ranked in the Top 10.  There are going to be a boat load of first-round picks out of the PAC-12 this year, and you can believe that all of them are on this list. 

25. Tony Dye,Safety (UCLA)

Tony Dye is coming off of a fantastic junior season at safety.  He recorded 96 tackles with one interception and was known as the leader of the UCLA defense. 

He is not the biggest safety out there, but he hits very hard and covers well down field.

He will be one of the only bright spots for the Bruins so he better make it count. 

24. Jermaine Kearse, Wide Receiver (Washington)

This Huskies wide receiver is going to be a huge help to Keith Price in his new role at starting quarterback. Jermaine Kearse had over 1,000 yards receiving last year and scored 12 touchdowns.

Most memorably, he had nine catches for 146 yards and four touchdowns last year against Oregon State.  Jermaine Kearse has big play written all over him and should make a large impact for the Huskies next year. 

23. T.J. McDonald, Safety (USC)

This junior safety is going to be a first team All PAC-12 safety next year to go along with a ton of tackles.  He recorded 89 tackles last year as well as three interceptions and one sack. 

He is playing in Monte Kiffin’s system and if the 2002 Buccaneers defense proves anything, it’s that a play maker like McDonald is going to shine.

McDonald will probably make the PAC-12's first team in 2011.

22. Mitchell Schwartz, Tackle (Cal)

Cal is lucky that they will have a good left tackle for their inexperienced quarterback next season. 

Mitchell Schwartz is one of the best offensive linemen in the PAC-12, and he proved that with his first team All PAC-10 last season. 

If Cal has any chance to have a non-losing season next year, it will greatly depend on how well Mitchell Schwartz and the Golden Bears' offensive line holds up.

21. Jordan Wynn, Quarterback (Utah)

Jordan Wynn is looking like this year is going to be his year. 

He has played a majority of the snaps at quarterback the past two seasons, and if he improves his 62 percent accuracy from last year, he will be very effective.

Utah plays the easiest schedule in the PAC-12 not having to play Stanford or Oregon in the regular season. 

20. David Paulson, Tight End (Oregon)

He will repeat his 2010 season as the best tight end in the PAC-12 in 2011.  He caught 24 passes for 418 yards and four touchdowns, but his biggest strength is his blocking. 

At Oregon, it’s obvious that their biggest strength is their running game and David Paulson is unreal at it. 

He is very good at sealing off the end on sweeps and kicking out the outside linebackers on dives and off tackles.  Not to mention he was on the academic All PAC-10 first team.

19. Rodney Stewart, Running Back (Colorado)

Rodney Stewart has an unfortunate situation in Colorado in that he is one of the only star players on this team. 

He rushed for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, but without Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown on defense, Stewart is going to have to rush for a lot more if the Buffaloes plan to have a record better than last year's 5-7. 

Not to mention, they have to play against Oregon and USC.

18. David DeCastro, Guard (Stanford)

He is an absolute beast at guard.  At 6'5", 310 pounds, he is one of the best guards in the nation.  He is a load to try and stand up to when he pulls on the counter and can pass block very well. 

Stanford will have two amazing offensive lineman in DeCastro and Jonathan Martin. The real question lies in how the other three will protect Andrew Luck. 

17. Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver (Cal)

Allen is the one of the few Golden Bears who has the talent to make this year a success.  He was a five-star recruit out of North Carolina and started last year as a true freshman. 

He caught 46 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns.  The real question is who will be throwing Allen the ball, and if there is going to be enough chemistry to let Allen shine.

If it is his cousin Zach Maynard, it could be a special chemistry. He is a very talented receiver. It just takes two to tango, so let's hope for the Golden Bears that it works out.

16. Jeff Tuel, Quarterback (Washington State)

Jeff Tuel is in the worst case scenario for such a talented and young quarterback: he is playing for one of the worst college football teams in the country in one of the worst possible locations. 

The one upside for Tuel this year is that his favorite target, Marquess Wilson, is returning and the two of them hooked up for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. 

Tuel has good mechanics and a high football IQ, but he is will need help from his teammates if he hopes to improve Washington State’s 2-10 record from 2010.

15. Jonathan Franklin, Running Back (UCLA)

UCLA needs someone on their team to step up and give them the offensive production they are in dire need of.  

Last year, Franklin rushed for 1,127 yards and eight touchdowns.  The game that cemented his starting job was at Texas when he rushed 19 times for 118 yards and one touchdown. 

He is a smaller back so this year the offensive line must step up and give Franklin the holes he needs to use his talent to the fullest.

I expect Franklin to rush for over 1,200 yards and hopefully he'll reach the double digit touchdown mark.

14. Darron Thomas, Quarterback (Oregon)

Darron Thomas is going to be Oregon’s key to success this year.  He is an extremely athletic quarterback that threw for 2,880 yards while rushing for over 450. 

He had an impressive 30 touchdowns to only nine interceptions.  He is going to have play makers such as LaMichael James, Kenyon Barner, Josh Huff, David Paulson, DeAnthony Thomas and Lavasier Tuinei to help him make plays. 

If the Ducks are to go back to the National Championship, Thomas is going to have to play like a star.

13. Shayne Skov, Linebacker (Stanford)

As a true freshman, Shayne Skov recorded 62 tackles.  As a sophomore, he played in only 11 games and recorded 84 tackles and 7.5 sacks. 

This upcoming year, Skov will finally get the recognition he deserves.  He was the rock that held the defense together last year helping the Cardinal win 11 games. 

He is a 6’3’’, 237 pound linebacker that has incredible lateral quickness as well as hit power.  Watch out for Skov to really impress some NFL scouts in this upcoming year.

12. Matt Kalil, Tackle (USC)

Top 10 draft pick.  Already regarded as the best offensive lineman in the PAC-12 if not the nation, Matt Kalil is a freak at right tackle. 

He is strong, quick, and tough and will show everyone that in the 2011 season.  He will most likely move to left tackle this season to protect Matt Barkley’s blind side and show NFL scouts that he truly is the best offensive lineman in the nation.

11. James Rodgers, Wide Receiver (Oregon State)

Jaquizz Rodgers left for the NFL draft, and his brother, redshirt senior James Rodgers, will be the best player on Oregon State next year.

Rodgers tore his ACL last year and he will return next season with a chip on his shoulder, working harder than ever. 

In 2009, he caught 91 passes for 1034 yards and nine touchdowns, not to mention rushing 57 times for 300 plus yards.  Rodgers is a versatile athlete who will have to carry the weight next year. 

I expect James Rodgers to have the best year of his career and give every defense that faces him an extremely difficult time trying to catch him.

10. Robert Woods, Wide Receiver (USC)

This sophomore wide receiver has the talent and ability to become a star at the college level. 

He has a phenomenal vertical jump, plays like he is 6’4", 200 pounds, and gets off the line of scrimmage with ease. 

Last year as a true freshman he caught 65 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns.  One particular game that showed his talent was when he caught 12 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns last October against Stanford. 

Watch out for Robert Woods to go for 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns next year.

9. Juron Criner, Wide Receiver (Arizona)

Juron Criner is in his senior year and although he caught 82 passes for 1233 yards and 11 touchdowns, next year’s season will be his best.

Juron Criner has great speed and always is the center of his team;s pass happy offense.  With Nick Foles being better than ever before, look for Criner to be named as an All-American candidate.

8. Cliff Harris, Cornerback (Oregon)

Cliff Harris is the most explosive player in college football.  He won Second Team, All-Defensive Back for the PAC-10 last year and led the nation in punt returns for touchdowns. 

He tied DeSean Jackson’s PAC-10 record for most punt returns in a season with four.  He picked off six passes and returned one for a touchdown as well. 

He shuts down half of the football field with his excellent man coverage and has the ability to intercept any ball thrown in his direction.

He is a Playboy Preseason All-American at the return position and he will finish the year with the most return touchdowns in the nation if teams still kick to him.

7. Jonathan Martin, Tackle (Stanford)

If Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal want to have a good season next year, it starts with their offensive line. 

Jonathan Martin is the center piece to the Cardinals offensive line by being one of the only two returning starters.  He was a First Team, All-PAC-10 last season and should be rewarded again after the 2011 season.

6. Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker (Arizona State)

Burfict will win next year’s Defensive Player of the Year and will enter the NFL draft.  He is a freak on defense leading the Sun Devils in tackles with 90 in 2010. 

He recorded 10 tackles and held the Oregon Ducks to below their scoring average.  He is massive in size at 245 pounds yet he can run with most running backs in the nation. 

He will take over numerous games this year and will finally get the recognition he has always deserved.

5. Nick Foles, Quarterback (Arizona)

Foles improved in all of the crucial quarterback categories from 2009 to 2010 and nothing says he will not continue to improve. 

He stands tall in the pocket, completes over 67 percent of his passes, and has his star receiver, Juron Criner, returning for the 2011 season. 

The only question about Nick Foles' production is if his offensive line can hold up since all five of his offensive lineman hasn’t started more than two games while in college.

4. Chris Polk, Running Back (Washington)

Chris Polk is the engine that will decide how far Washington goes this year.  He is definitely their best athlete and with an inexperienced quarterback, Polk will have to carry the load.

He rushed for over 1,400 yards last year averaging 5.4 yards a carry.  The question will be whether the Huskies offensive line will be able to create enough lanes and holes for Polk to get to the second level and cause damage we all know he is capable of.

3. Matt Barkley, Quarterback (USC)

This year will be Matt Barkley’s breakout year.  He came into USC with all the hype in the world, being the top overall recruit from the 2009 recruiting class. 

He improved his completion percentage, touchdowns, and yards from his freshman to his sophomore year.  He also has arguably the best receiver core in the nation with Robert Woods, Markeith Ambles, Kyle Prater, and George Farmer.  

He will become one of the elite QB’s in the nation and will probably be a top 10 draft pick if he decides to enter the draft after next year’s season.

2. LaMichael James, Running Back (Oregon)

LaMichael James was considered the best running back in the nation last year.  In the last two years, he has rushed for over 1,500 yards and averaged 19 touchdowns. 

He only played in 12 games last year but finished 3^rd in the Heisman voting.  He is a very versatile running back and will run past, through, or around any defender on his way to the end zone.

1. Andrew Luck, Quarterback (Stanford)

Luck is the best football player in the nation and should be considered as the Heisman favorite.  He passed for over 3,300 yards, completing over 70 percent of his passes and had the third best passing rating in the nation last year. 

If he has the season he had last year, he will be a 1^st team consensus All-American and will be drafted No. 1 in the 2012 NFL draft.