Hey, it's a picture of what the Pac 10 race would look like if it was an actual race. Look where you're going, Ronald.
The Pac 10 has done some redeeming here. After a couple of lackluster all-conference teams, I finally found some more superstars. Jake Locker was a tricky pick at quarterback considering his only full season saw him throw more interceptions than touchdowns, but I think he’ll flourish under Steve Sarkisian. Joe McKnight barely beat out Jacquizz Rodgers for one running back spot, but he’s just so damn electric. Defensively, it was a little harder to find starters. Kind of like the Pac 10 regular season. But the secondary here is pretty sick which makes sense considering the cornucopia of passing plays in the league. It’s like Jaison Williams said, “If a Pac 10 team ran the wishbone they’d find a way to throw out of it.”
USC, of course, led all teams with 6 members. The Trojans put up a receiver, a running back, two offensive linemen, and two defenders. No one else was really even close. Sound familiar? Despite losing two starters to the NFL, the Oregon secondary accounted for two of their three representitives. And in a tie for second place, UCLA used a kicker as one of their three. Washington, Cal, Oregon State, Arizona, and Arizona State all ended up with two players on the all-conference team. Nobody was un-represented, but Washington State and Stanford finished last with one man apiece. Both of those clubs helped fill out the offensive line. Though I’ve picked Oregon, for now, to Pac 10, I might have to change that up if USC can find a reliable QB. That’s not really a big if in Los Angeles.
QB: Jake Locker, Washington, 6-03 222
Telling Stat: Passed for 2062 and rushed for 986 and 13 TDs as a freshman
Video Evidence: Somebody has a Tebow Complex
RB: Joe McKnight, USC, 6-00 200
Telling Stat: 659 rushing yards on 7.4 yards per carry
Video Evidence: His first TD ever. Against Notre Dame. Have it bronzed.
RB: Jahvid Best, Cal, 5-10 195
Telling Stat: 1580 rushing yards, 15 TDs, and an 8.1 yard per carry average
Video Evidence: Watch the speed before anyone knew who he was
WR: Damian Williams, USC, 6-01 190
Telling Stat: 869 receiving yards, 9 TDs
Video Evidence: Just watch some of these highlights. If you can keep up.
WR: James Rodgers, Oregon State, 5-07 185
Telling Stat: 2 TDs in upset of USC
Video Evidence: Someone please explain how he caught this
TE: Rob Gronkowski, Arizona, 6-06 258
Telling Stat: 672 receiving yards, 10 TDs
Video Evidence: Good luck stopping this guy when he gets close
OT: Charles Brown, USC, 6-06 298
Interesting Fact: All-Pac 10 first team as a sophomore
OT: Chris Marinelli, Stanford, 6-07 305
Interesting Fact: Earned Maxima Cum Laude on national Latin exam
G: Jeff Byers, USC, 6-03 289
Interesting Fact: Was 2003 Gatorade Player of the Year as a lineman
G: Shawn Lauvao, Arizona State, 6-03 308
Interesting Fact: Hawaiin aspiring pharmacist has started 21 consecutive games at guard or tackle
C: Kenny Alfred, Washington State, 6-02 300
Interesting Fact: Was his high school’s (Gig Harbor) homecoming king
DE: Everson Griffen, USC, 6-03 265
Telling Stat: 4.5 sacks, 6 TFL
Video Evidence: Pretty typical that day
DE: Will Tukuafu, Oregon, 6-04 272
Telling Stat: 7.5 sacks, 17.5 TFL
Video Evidence: Watch the speed, and watch the speed
DT: Brian Price, UCLA, 6-01 295
Telling Stat: 4.5 sacks, 14 TFL, 1 INT
Video Evidence: Nice field-level view of a Price sack
DT: Stephen Paea, Oregon State, 6-01 285
Telling Stat: 5 sacks, 11 TFL
Video Evidence: Highlights of Paea. He was a rugby player
LB: Dexter Davis, Arizona State, 6-02 252
Telling Stat: 11 sacks for -81 yards from the defensive end spot
Video Evidence: With 11 sacks, you’d think one would be on YouTube
LB: Reggie Carter, UCLA, 6-01 220
Telling Stat: 86 tackles, 3 forced fumbles
Video Evidence: Best I could find were some neat pictures
LB: Mason Foster, Washington, 6-01 229
Telling Stat: 105 tackles
Video Evidence: Clip not found. There will be some after this year.
CB: Walter Thurmond, Oregon, 6-00 185
Telling Stat: 5 INTs in each of last two seasons
Video Evidence: An example of where not to throw it. Which is anywhere near Thurmond
CB: Syd’Quan Thompson, Cal, 5-09 187
Telling Stat: 70 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 INTs
Video Evidence: Pretty nifty when he’s not playing defense too
SS: TJ Ward, Oregon, 5-11 190
Telling Stat: 101 tackles, 4 forced fumbles
Video Evidence: Pac 10 safeties can hit
FS: Taylor Mays, USC, 6-03 230
Telling Stat: 53 tackles (stats don’t do him justice)
Video Evidence: Like how he only got credit for one tackle on this play
KR: Joe McKnight, USC, 6-00 200
K: Kai Forbath, UCLA, 6-00 198
P: Keenyn Crier, Arizona, 6-01 200
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