It is a tough task but always fun to project who may appear on All-Conference teams. Here I look at what the All-Pac-12 side may look like.
Offense
Quarterback – Marcus Mariota (Oregon)
Potentially your first-overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota is a star in college football. Mariota is entering his third season as a starter and boasts a 63:10 touchdown to interception ratio.
Running Backs – Byron Marshall (Oregon), Javorius Allen (USC)
Marshall broke 1,000 yards for the first time as a sophomore and will be the Ducks’ lead back while Allen broke loose the shackles towards the end of the 2013 campaign and will make a name for himself this time around.
Wide Receivers – Jaelen Strong (Arizona State), Ty Montgomery (Stanford), Nelson Agholor (USC)
Strong’s 75 receptions as a freshman put him firmly as one to watch in the future while the pacey Montgomery had ten receiving touchdowns and two kick-return scores. Agholor looked impressive opposite Marqise Lee but now must do it as the lead man.
Tight End – Connor Hamlett (Oregon State)
Hamlett was Sean Mannion’s second release valve behind Brandin Cooks and subsequently caught 40 balls as a junior. The Beavers like to air it out so the big tight end should see a further boost in production come the fall.
Tackles – Andrus Peat (Stanford), Tyler Johnstone (Oregon)
The Stanford offensive lineman production plant continues to grow with Peat who will be a top prospect in 2016. Johnstone is recovering from a gruesome knee injury in the Alamo Bowl which could sadly hinder the early part of his season.
Guards – Malcolm Bunche (UCLA), Isaac Seumalo (Oregon State)
Bunche transferred from the University of Miami in January and will help Brett Hundley regain his form. Seumalo suffered a foot injury in spring practise and his availability is crucial to the Beavers’ offense.
Center – Hroniss Grasu (Oregon)
The second Oregon offensive lineman to make the team, Grasu is integral to their running game and keeping Mariota on his feet.
Defense
Defensive Ends – Hau’oli Kikaha (Washington), Leonard Williams (USC)
The first Washington defender to make the team is Kikaha who 13 sacks as a junior while Coleman, a future top-15 pick, came in with
Defensive Tackles – Danny Shelton (Washington), David Parry (Stanford)
Shelton is the second Huskie and, although he may not be a ‘big name’, he is a stout defender. Parry is much the same and plays bigger than his 6’2” frame would suggest.
Linebackers – Myles Jack (UCLA), Hayes Pullard (USC), Addison Gillam (Colorado)
Jack is a tremendous linebacker and running back who every football fan will know about within the next two years. Pullard and Gillam are tackling machines and totalled 201 between them in 2013.
Cornerbacks – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon), Steven Nelson (Oregon State)
Expre-Olomu would have been a first-round pick had he entered the 2014 NFL Draft but instead chose to return to school and compete to be the best in the nation. Nelson’s six interceptions as a junior brought him to the nation’s attention.
Safetys – Su’a Cravens (USC), Jordan Richards (Stanford)
Cravens lit up the Pac-12 as a freshman by tallying four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 53 tackles. Richards is a little wiser and stronger in the box but does his job tremendously.
Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby