Ranking the Top 15 Players in the Pac-12 for 2015 (Experts Poll)
Scooby Wright
The Pac-12 is generally known for its high-scoring offenses. While there’s plenty of firepower on the offensive side of the ball in 2015, the Pac-12 returns two of the nation’s top defenders in UCLA’s Myles Jack and Arizona’s Scooby Wright. This linebacker duo earned the top two spots in Athlon’s Pac-12 media expert poll, but the offense playmakers and top quarterbacks weren't far behind.
With the season right around the corner, Athlon Sports sought to answer this question: Who are the best 15 players in the Pac-12 for 2015?
In order to rank the top 15 players in the Pac-12 for 2015, Athlon Sports sought the insight of several experts from the conference. The voting process was simple. Using criteria such as career performance so far, 2015 potential/projection, pro outlook, recruiting ranking, value to team or overall talent, each voter was asked to rank their top 15 players for 2015.
A point system was assigned, giving 15 points for a player with a No. 1 vote, 14 points for a No. 2 vote, 13 points for a No. 3 vote and so on.
The Voters
Stewart Mandel, (@SlMandel), FoxSports.com
Bryan Fischer, (@BryanDFischer), National CFB Writer
Andy Drukarev, (@StanfordRivals), Cardinal Sports Report
Kyle Kensing, (@kensing45), CFBHuddle.com, Athlon Contributor
Steven Lassan, (@AthlonSteven), AthlonSports.com
Ryan Abraham, (@insidetroy), USCFootball.com
Jack Follman, (@JackFollman), PacificTakes.com
David Fox, (@DavidFox615), AthlonSports.com
Nick Krueger, (@NickPKrueger), DevilsDigest.com
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Shane Roberts, (@TheShaneR0berts), BlockU.com
Jeremy Mauss, (@JeremyMauss), ESPN700Sports.com
Andy Wooldridge, (@BuildingtheDam), BuildingtheDam.com
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Ranking the Pac-12's Best Players for 2015 (Experts Poll)
Rank | Player | Team | Total Points |
1 | Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona | 282 | |
2 | Myles Jack, LB, UCLA | 234 | |
3 | Cody Kessler, QB, USC | 208 | |
4 | Jared Goff, QB, California | 181 | |
5T | Devontae Booker, RB, Utah | 175 | |
5T | Su'a Cravens, LB, USC | 175 | |
7 | DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon | 160 | |
8 | Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon | 154 | |
9 | Adoree' Jackson, CB/WR, USC | 151 | |
10 | Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA | 82 | |
11 | Max Tuerk, C, USC | 81 | |
12 | D.J. Foster, WR, Arizona State | 61 | |
13 | Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado | 48 | |
14 | Kyle Murphy, OL, Stanford | 44 | |
15 | Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA | 43 | |
16 | JuJu Smith, WR, USC | 27 | |
17 | Nick Wilson, RB, Arizona | 24 | |
18 | Budda Baker, S, Washington | 21 | |
19 | Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford | 20 | |
20 | Vernon Adams, QB, Oregon | 19 | |
21 | Byron Marshall, WR, Oregon | 16 | |
22 | Hunter Dimick, DE, Utah | 9 | |
23 | Cayleb Jones, WR, Arizona | 8 | |
24 | Bralon Addison, WR, Oregon | 7 | |
25T | Mike Bercovici, QB, Arizona State | 6 | |
25T | Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford | 6 | |
27T | Victor Bolden, WR, Oregon State | 5 | |
27T | Pharoh Brown, TE, Oregon | 5 | |
27T | Eddie Vanderdoes, DL, UCLA | 5 | |
30T | Demario Richard, RB, Arizona State | 4 | |
30T | Kenny Lawler, WR, California | 4 | |
32T | Gionni Paul, LB, Utah | 3 | |
32T | Tom Hackett, P, Utah | 3 | |
32T | Jake Brendel, C, UCLA | 3 | |
35 | Joshua Garnett, OL, Stanford | 2 | |
36T | Sefo Liufau, QB, Colorado | 1 | |
36T | Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA | 1 | |
36T | Tyler Johnstone, OT, Oregon | 1 | |
36T | Deon Hollins, LB, UCLA | 1 |
* UCLA and Oregon tied at seven with the most selections by team.
* Balance of power? 23 of the 39 players receiving votes play in the South Division. Additionally, seven of the top 10 selections play for teams in the Pac-12 South.
* 11 of the Pac-12’s 12 teams were represented in this poll.
* Seven quarterbacks received votes, including UCLA freshman Josh Rosen.
