There’s UCLA’s Brett Hundley, a preseason Heisman candidate, Oregon State’s Sean Mannion, Washington State’s Connor Halliday, Stanford’s Kevin Hogan and Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly, to name a few.
That’s too many QBs to make our Pac-12 superlatives, but some did. Here’s the SN list.
Fastest receiver Nelson Agholor, USC Yes, they do grow breakaway threats on trees at USC.
Best hands Austin Hill, WR, Arizona The Wildcats missed his big (6-3) receiving range when an ACL tear kept him out last season.Best passing QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon Throwing for 31 touchdowns and four interceptions last season—despite a knee injury—says something.Best running QB Brett Hundley, UCLA Always a dangerous rushing threat, Hundley is also improving in the pocket.
Most elusive RB Thomas Tyner, Oregon He set the school record for a true freshman with 711 rushing yards in 2013.Best instincts Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon This ballhawking Duck is smart and alert.Best athlete Myles Jack, LB/RB, UCLA Freak athlete was the Pac-12’s top freshman on both offense and defense last season.Best under pressure Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Maybe it’s just the laid-back Hawaiian in him, but Mariota is difficult to rattle.Top NFL prospect Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Might have been a top-10 NFL draft pick had he left this year.Top impact frosh D.J. Calhoun, LB, Arizona State Graduating early from high school paid off when he quickly rose up the spring depth chart in Tempe.Hardest hitter Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon Ekpre-Olomu is extremely physical for a cornerback.Biggest overachiever Addison Gillam, LB, Colorado Lightly recruited linebacker became a standout freshman in part because of his intense drive.Best interview Connor Halliday, Washington State Quarterback’s candor through the Cougars’ transition has been refreshing.Best coach as strategist Mike Riley, Oregon State Doesn’t need four- or five-star recruits to scare opponents.Best coach as recruiter Jim Mora, UCLA Steve Sarkisian stole some thunder on Signing Day this year but better talent is the foundation of UCLA’s resurgence.Hottest seat Kyle Whittingham, Utah After two straight 5-7 seasons, things are getting a little toasty for the 2008 national Coach of the Year.Best venue Autzen Stadium, Oregon There’s passionate fans, unnerving acoustics . . . and a pretty good football team.Player most likely to succeed (outside of football) Will Oliver, K, Colorado He may rep his teammates someday as an agent or marketer, having posted a 3.67 GPA in CU’s School of Business last year.
