UCLA cruised to a Week 0 victory over Hawaii last weekend but the rest of the league will join the Bruins this weekend. Oregon is once again regarded as the best in show but USC, Washington and others have cultivated squads to challenge them. In an effort to prepare for the season, we explore the top draft prospects of the Pac-12.
Arizona
There is not a lot of high-level talent that has jumped out from Arizona's roster to this point. The Wildcats have signed some legitimate high school recruits but the cream has yet to rise to the top. Head coach Jedd Fisch enters his inaugural season in Tucson.
Arizona State
Outside of CBS Sports' own Pete Prisco, I am apparently Arizona State's next biggest supporter because the early outlook on the Sun Devils is positive. Offensive tackle Kellen Diesch and offensive guard Dohnovan West are really solid performers. They do a nice job of clearing a runway for explosive running back Rachaad White, who averaged 10 yards per carry and 18.9 yards per reception in 2020.
On the defensive side of the ball, Herm Edwards' team is accomplished up the middle with defensive tackle Jermayne Lole and linebacker Merlin Robertson. Cornerback Jack Jones has taken a meandrous route to this stage of his career. The high school All-American joined USC's team in 2016 before transferring to junior college and then later Arizona State. For those doing the math at home, this will be his sixth post-high school season. Safety Evan Fields is a fluid mover with the versatility to play single high coverage and line up over the slot receiver.
California
There is not a lot to get excited about in Berkeley right now from a draft-perspective. Nikko Remigio was a lightly used slot receiver with limited production. The expectation of his film was that he would be a gimmicky offensive weapon but I found a prospect that does a nice job running after the catch and sits on zone coverage weak points
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Colorado
In fairness to Colorado's defensive prospects, most of my exposure to them came in a snowy affair against Utah. Edge rusher Carson Wells is a prospect with support and the same is true of linebacker Nate Landman. Landman appears to be a natural athlete that covers a lot of ground sideline to sideline. The California native gets stuck on blocks and left that game against the Utes early with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
It will be interesting to see what incoming Ohio State offensive tackle transfer Max Wray is able to accomplish.
Oregon
Quarterback Anthony Brown will be the starter after Tyler Shough's departure to Texas Tech. Brown is an athletic prospect capable of making an impact on the ground or through the air.
The majority of the Ducks' talent is on defense. Kayvon Thibodeaux is regarded as one of the top prospects expected to be available in the 2022 NFL Draft regardless of position, and rightfully so. However, the brakes need to be pumped a bit on the hype. The California native has a slender lower body and can continue to develop more counter moves to win rep to rep.
Beyond Thibodeaux, all eyes are on a secondary that lost Jevon Holland, Deommodore Lenoir and Thomas Graham Jr. to the NFL Draft. The idea that their replacements -- Mykael Wright, DJ James and Verone McKinley III -- could be better than them is a scary thought, but also a very likely reality.
Penei Sewell's younger brother, Noah Sewell, is a standout linebacker to keep in mind for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Oregon State
No one really moves the needle for the Beavers right now. Oregon State produced third-round cornerback Nahshon Wright and seventh-round running back Jermar Jefferson a year ago.
Stanford
Running back Austin Jones is one of my favorites in the class at his position because he has everything minus above average speed. He can slip out into routes and get yardage after the catch or he can showcase good vision to follow blocks with patience before bursting off a strong plant leg.
Defensive tackle Thomas Booker has a thick lower body but needs to develop more moves to generate pressure consistently, in addition to first-step quickness.
UCLA
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has all of the talent in the world but he needs to improve upon his decision-making and progress as a passer. Offensive tackle Sean Rhyan is certainly in the conversation to become a first-round pick. Rhyan is one of the best at his position. Tight end Greg Dulcich rarely lines up inline because of Mike Martinez's presence but Dulcich has soft hands, good size, good speed and moves well. He can become stronger through his routes and improve as a blocker but he has a knack for finding the soft spot in a zone.
UCLA also welcomes incoming Michigan running back transfer Zach Charbonnet, who scored three touchdowns in his Bruins debut.
USC
The Trojans are loaded with talent. It starts with Kedon Slovis. Slovis is one of the prospects discussed as a potential first-round pick but there is a lot of work to be done. Offensive tackle Jalen McKenzie -- son of former Raiders general manager and current Dolphins executive Reggie McKenzie -- has a lot of athletic ability but has been inconsistent. The word upside is doing a lot of the heavy lifting on this USC offense. Wide receivers Drake London and Bru McCoy have immense potential and should be primary targets for Slovis.
Edge rusher Hunter Echols has the speed and flexibility to be a situational player at the next level but needs to improve in run defense. Edge rusher Drake Jackson is a possible first-round pick. He does a nice job of peeling off unsuccessful rushes and getting his arms in passing lanes. The California native registered 10 pass deflections last season.
The secondary features lengthy safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, as well as cornerbacks Chris Steele and Isaac Taylor-Stuart, who at one point garnered first-round mentions from some in the draft community. I think they have a lot of work to do before they live up to that hype.
Utah
There are a few tight ends and an offensive lineman that receive attention but linebacker Devin Lloyd is the piece de resistance for the Utes. Lloyd is similar in size to All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. One trait that served Warner well is his strong hands to get off blocks and that is visible in Lloyd's game. As a former safety, he shows exceptional ability in coverage.
Utah has revamped its skill room through the transfer portal with Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer, Oklahoma wide receiver Theo Howard, LSU running back Chris Curry and Oklahoma running back T.J. Pledger.
Washington
Offensive tackle Jaxson Kirkland is one of the premier offensive linemen expected to be available in the 2022 NFL Draft. I have only given out three first-round grades but Kirkland is within my top 32 prospects graded presently. Tight end Cade Otton is a well-rounded prospect that projects as one of the best at his position as well.
The Huskies have a pair of highly regarded cornerbacks in the form of Kyler Gordon and Trent McDuffie. Overall, it is a really deep class of offensive tackles and cornerbacks. Washington is a prime example of this conclusion. Zion Tupuola-Fetui is a twitched up edge rusher that was within my top 50 prospects before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in April. I initially assumed that he would miss the 2021 season, but the pass rusher is supposedly way ahead of his rehab schedule and should return this season.
Jimmy Lake's team is introducing Oklahoma defensive back transfer Brendan Radley-Hiles, Michigan wide receiver transfer Giles Jackson and Texas Tech wide receiver transfer Ja'Lynn Polk.
Washington State
The prospects to know at Washington State are running back Max Borghi and one of the linemen blocking for him -- offensive tackle Abraham Lucas. At one point, Borghi was unfairly compared to Christian McCaffrey. He likely will not be in my top 200 prospects but Borghi is a tough and reliable contributor to the pass game.
Lucas is a massive lineman at 6-foot-7, 328 pounds. He is a calm, controlled player that needs to develop consistent technique and better balance.
