The college football season is right around the corner. As the season approaches, I will be breaking down the best players of each conference. Each article a new conference will be unveiled and the order will be alphabetical. The players will be ranked 1-10 (1 being the best). Note: This is before the start of the 2012 season, therefore players may get hurt and some will get better or worse. This is simply analyzing the best players in each conference, not which players will get drafted the highest in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Pacific 12 Conference
1.Matt Barkley-Quarterback-Southern California
The senior quarterback is going into the 2012 season as the most hyped player in the nation. Matt Barkley is just as good off the field as he is on it; he is one of the best students and hardest workers in the college game today. Now that we are finally entering the season, scouts are trying to nitpick Barkley but they are struggling to criticize him. In 2011 Barkley threw for 39 touchdowns and only seven interceptions while totaling 3,528 yards. Barkley has all of the traits that people don’t normally think of that makes him great: he stays poised in the pocket, throws fantastically on the run and has a soft touch on fade routes, dropping it over the cornerbacks. This Heisman hopeful looks to lead the Trojans to a national title.
2.Star Lotulelei-Defensive Tackle-Utah
The Utes’ defensive tackle only has average stats but he plays like a superstar by sucking in double teams, bowling over interior lineman and disrupting the pass game. The 2011 Morris Trophy (best defensive lineman) recipient recorded 44 tackles last season and he also absorbs double teams, freeing up space so his teammates can get into the backfield and make plays. The 318-pounder is arguable the most valuable defensive player in the country, with his dominance up front, Utah could surprise people in the PAC-12.
3.Keith Price-Quarterback-Washington
Stepping into the shadow of Jake Locker last season, Keith Price is a bit of an unknown for most viewers, but this kid is a star. Although he is only 6’1 (which is short for a QB), Price dominates the passing game and has an amazing football IQ. In the Alamo Bowl against Baylor last year, Price scored for 7 touchdowns (3 rushing) and put Washington in a position to win if their defense had held up. Not only does Price just throw the ball, but he can make all of the throws, one of his best passes is the TE seam to phenom Austin-Sefarian Jenkins. Price threw for 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions; that is more touchdowns than Jake Locker ever threw as a Husky. Keith Price is my dark horse for the Heisman, he will show everyone how great he is week 2 at LSU.
4.Marquess Wilson-Wide Receiver-Washington State
Just as Mike Leach comes to coach Washington State, the buzz around Marquess Wilson escalates. Blessed with freakish measurable (6’4, 185), Wilson exhibits tremendous body control and shows the ability to stretch the field at any given moment. Wilson makes ridiculous catches and can jump over any defensive back that he will face in college. 82 receptions for 1,388 yards and a dozen touchdowns in 2011, Mike Leach is going to abuse Marquess Wilson in 2012.
5.Kenjon Barner-Running Back-Oregon
After backing up LaMichael James for several years, Kenjon Barner is finally ready to step into the spotlight. Barner is a burner (would you expect anything else from Oregon) and it is going to be extremely hard to contain him. Barner has insanely quick feet and can bust a play open whenever he wants; if he turns the corner, good luck catching him. Like James, Barner is a great pass catcher and is not afraid to run between the tackles either; he fits this offense perfectly.
6.Keenan Allen-Wide Receiver-California
Allen made the All PAC-12 team last year and has a very good chance to repeat that feat this year. Allen is a great size at 6’3, 210 but runs like he only ways 170 pounds, easily QB Zac Maynard’s favorite target. Keenan Allen was two receptions shy of 100 and finished the season with 1,343 yards to go along with six touchdowns. With Marvin Jones going to the NFL, Allen becomes the true number one receiver and will showcase his talents against double-teams and number one corners. Whether it is end-arounds or short passes, Allen has the ability to go the distance against any defense.
7.Robert Woods-Wide Receiver-Southern California
Many scouts have Robert Woods ranked very high, but I feel that the 7th overall player in the conference is a safe bet. Woods typically runs short routes and does a lot of his damage after the catch. Barkley’s favorite target finished 5th in the nation with 111 receptions and ranked 13th with 1,292 receiving yards. Woods loses defenders with his footwork and veteran-like route running- at least once a game Woods will go uncovered on a “Sluggo route.” The Barkley-Woods connection is one of the top tandems in the nation.
8.T.J. McDonald-Free Safety-Southern California
T.J. McDonald is the most important defender on the USC team, he is the glue that holds the backfield together. As a coach, it is great to see your free safety step up and make tackles, McDonald tallied 69 in 2011 which included a game with 10 against UCLA. T-Mac has fluid hips and can cover the slot receiver if need-be, allowing the defense to keep more pass rushers on the field. McDonald never gets beat deep and is the top safety in this year’s class.
9.De’Anthony Thomas-Athlete-Oregon
On the depth chart, De’Athony Thomas is listed as a running back but he is what I like to call a hybrid player. Not only does he play out of the backfield but he also lines up at receiver and returns kicks. Another Oregon speedster, Thomas has big-play potential and will have a lot more to offer in his sophomore season. Even though he is the backup running back, Thomas will play a huge part in the Duck’s offense, Chip Kelly lives for speedy playmakers.
10.Austin Seferian-Jenkins-Tight End-Washington 
When talking about NFL tight ends, most of them have basketball backgrounds and ASJ doesn’t break that mold. As a two-sport varsity athlete, Seferian-Jenkins has been a stud on the campus of Washington. At 6’6, 266 lbs., the Washington native uses his power forward footwork and speed to get open and create plays. Last year, as a freshman, ASJ caught 41 passes for 538 yards and six scores. The tight end position is evolving into a combo position involving blocking and stretching the field, with that being said, no linebacker in the nation can cover the Washington tight end. People normally don’t say this, but the sophomore tight end is going to be who teams center their defensive gameplan around.
Just Missed:
Jordan Poyer-Cornerback-Oregon State
Jeff Tuel-Quarterback-Washington State
Marquis Lee-Wide Receiver-Southern California
Marcus Trufant-Cornerback-Washington
Silas Redd-Running Back-Southern California
Joseph Fauria-Tight End-UCLA
between catching, running inside as well as running outside of the tackles. The running back position is where teams like to take chances late in the draft [James Starks (188), Peyton Hillis (227) & Ahmad Bradshaw (250)] Although Brandon Bolden has potential to be a successful back in the NFL there is downfall to his game. At times he shows a bit of uncertainty when running; instead of getting the three yards for the first down, he goes for the 40-yard touchdown. On the plus side, he has great hands and has tremendous balance when running; defenders struggle to bring him down and he keeps his feet moving.
this SD State team better. Aside from Wolters, the Jackrabbits are really good from beyond the arc. Sixteenth in the country is where they finished as a team, shooting 39.3% from 3-ball. Baylor is arguably the most athletic team in the country, their size, speed, length and depth could have them going deep in this tournament. The Bears are an unbeatable team when they get out and run with the ball, but their defensive woes cause me to scratch my head. When Baylor plays a zone there is no way you are getting to the hoop, but their coach, Scott Drew, insists they play a man which results in losing games because they can not get through the ball screens that teams throw at them. I have Baylor winning this match-up, not by much, but Baylor is a team that can either win every round or lose early on and I won’t be surprised either way. Perry Jones III should dominate against South Dakota State.
not turn the ball over, hits his free-throws, and makes smart decisions, but in order to move on in the tournament he will need to score points. The Badgers only average 63 points per game and they shoot an abysmal 42%. The Montana Grizzlies have been an up-and-coming team for a while now. Wayne Tinkle is a great coach and will have this Grizzly team read to give Wisconsin their all. Montana shoots a staggering 47% from the field and averages 7 more points per game than Wisconsin. Look for junior guard Will Cherry to explode in this match-up. Will Cherry vs. Jordan Taylor could determine the outcome of this game. I have Montana upsetting Wisconsin in a last second thriller.
lottery picks (Anthony Davis and Terrence Jones for UK, Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond for Conn). The reason why this match-up is very difficult to decipher is because you have the two most athletic centers in the country and Jeremy Lamb will be able to lock-down, and vice versa. This year Connecticut lacked leadership this season, you could tell they really missed Kemba Walker. Shabazz Napier tried to take on the leader role and showed some bright spots, but he needs to know when it is crunch time, you feed the ball to Lamb. The Huskies shot themselves in the foot this season when it was crunch time; there would be instances where they were down by 4 points with 1:00 left and they would be stagnant on offense and run the clock out on themselves. Albeit all of these struggles, they still did pretty well in a tough Big East Conference, they could beat Kentucky. Calipari’s teams have been known to choke and they are very young (have one senior on the team). Anthony Davis is the most versatile player in the country but he will need help from fellow freshman, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the glass. Although I love Uconn and I feel that they are way better than what they’ve showed this season, it is really hard for me to pick against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round. Uconn might not even get out of the first round. Kentucky wins in a low scoring match-ups against Jim Calhoun’s squad.
back out and nail the three-ball 39.5% of the time. Kim English is a fantastic leader and first year head coach, Frank Haith has had his team bringing their A-game all year long. Mizzou lost their leading rebounder in Lawrence Bowers due to a torn ACL, but they just keep finding ways to win. I don’t sense anyone beating Missouri mainly because of the versatility of the team as a whole; when Frank Haith puts out his four-guard lineup (Kim English, Marcus Denmon, Matt Pressey, Phil Pressey). There isn’t any team in the nation can match-up with that speed and efficiency. The Missouri Tigers will have proven once again that they deserved to be a number 1 seed, they will be the National Champions.
The draft is about a month and a half away and free agency does not start till next week, however, it is never a bad time for a mock. This draft does not include free agency signings and player’s stock could rise or drop due to college pro-days that will take place over the course of this month. It still looks like Andrew Luck will be the number one overall pick but there have been many changes and new players added since Mock Draft 1.0.
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throwing only 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. It is remarkable to see the growth he has made and
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AlexFarnworth 