Today we continue our series on all of the draft eligible prospects from the west region of Division 1, both FBS and FCS. Specifically, this article is going to look at the PAC-12 underclassmen. I will note starters going into 2020 and notable stats so we can find out who to keep an eye on in the 2020 college football season. I will designate expected starters with (*).
Oregon:
CJ Verdell RB *
Jevon Holland S *
Bennett Williams S
Daewood Davis WR
Jack Vecchi WR
Travis Dye RB
Cyrus Habibi-Likio RB
Isaac Slade-Matautia ILB *
Popo Aumavae DT
Ryan Walk OL
T.J. Bass OL *
Penei Sewell OL *
Karsten Battles LS
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu OL *
Alex Forsyth OL *
DJ Johnson TE
Devon Williams WR
Steve Stephens IV S
Tyler Shough QB *
Bradley Yaffe QB
Spencer Webb TE *
Tevin Jeannis WR
Vincenzo Logan WR
Andrew Johnson Jr. ILB
Adrian Jackson OLB
Korbin Williams WR
Jordan Adeyemi-John CB
Henry Katleman K
Lucas Noland S
Tom Snee P
MJ Cunningham ILB
KJ Maduike RB
Nick Wiebe ILB
Peyton Yanagi LS
Andrew Faoliu OLB
Miguel Nevarez OL
Devin Lewis OL
Dawson Jaramillo OL
Steven Jones OL *
Chris Randazzo OL
Bryan Addison WR *
Isaah Crocker WR
Taylor Koth K
Players to Watch:
Penei Sewell: Sewell is widely regarded as the top Offensive Tackle Heading into the 2021 NFL draft. Look for him to continue to dominate the Pac-12 this season and earn a Top 5 selection next April.
CJ Verdell: The teams top running, he ran for 1,220 yards and 8 TDs in 2019. He is fresher than some Running backs heading into the 2020 season as fellow underclassmen Travis Dye and Cyrus Habib-Likio get their fair share of carries as backups.
Jevon Holland: Holland was arguably the best defender for Oregon in 2019. The versatile safety can play in single high coverage, in the box, but he thrives as a Nickelback. He is currently projected as a Mid first round pick in the 2021 Draft.
Oregon State:
Tyjon Lindsey WR *
Calvin Tyler, Jr. RB
Tristan Gebbia QB *
Jaydon Grant DB
Aidan Willard QB
Kolby Taylor WR *
Nick Moore QB
Jack Colletto ILB
Kaleb Hayes DB
Champ Flemings WR
B.J. BaylorRB
David Morris DB *
Moku Watson DB
Avery Roberts ILB *
Mason Moran DB
Luke Loecher P
Kyrei Fisher ILB
Ralph Taufa’asau TE
Jake Scarton K
Noah Seumalo ILB
Onesimus Clarke OL *
Brandon Kipper OL *
Brock Wellsfry OL
Jaelen Bush OL
Dakota Napierkowski OL
Job Dockery WR
Bryce Bramscher TE
Isaac Garcia OLB
Simon Sandberg DL *
Alexander Skelton DL
Cody Anderson DL
Jermar Jefferson RB *
John McCartan OLB
Matthew Tago OLB
Tre’Shaun Harrison WR
Nashton Wright DB *
Teagan Quitoriano TE *
Isaac Hodgins DL
Jaden Robinson DB
Alton Julian DB *
Chance Nolan QB
Jesiah Irish WR
I’Shawn Stewart WR
Addison Gumbs OLB *
Jonathan Riley DB
Trey Lowe RB
Rweha Munyagi Jr. WR
Kitan Oladapo DB
Kanoa Shannon RB
Connor Morton RB
Mikey Alfieri RB
James Rawls DL
Riley Sharp OLB
Rob Vanderlaan OL
Jake Levengood OL
Sebastian Briski DL
Tavis Shippen DL
Keishon Dawkins DL
Players to Watch:
Avery Roberts: Roberts led the Beavers in total tackles last season and should be a top contributor again in the middle of the 3-4 defense in 2020. His play style fits the mold of a traditional 3-4 run stuffer.
Jamar Jefferson: Jefferson looks to be the main offensive weapon for OSU in 2020. He was a few carries short of a 50-50 work load with 2019 senior Running back Art Pierce, and with his departure, Jefferson’s work load could increase exponentially.
Washington:
Terrell Bynum WR *
Ty Jones WR
Cade Otton TE *
Peyton Henry K *
Joe Tryon OLB *
Jaxson Kirkland OL *
Cole Norgaard OL
Henry Bainivalu OL
Chase Skuza OL
Corey Luciano OL
Alex Cook DB *
Zechariah Brown DB
Richard Newton RB
Marquis Spiker WR
Jacob Sirmon QB *
Austin Osborne WR
Kyler Gordon DB *
Dominique Hampton DB
Julius Irvin DB
David Pritchard WR
Triston Brown P
Ben Hines LB
Jack Westover TE
Jackson Sirmon LB *
Edefuan Ulofoshio LB
MJ Tafisi LB *
Zion Tupuola-Fetui OLB
Draco Bynum DL
Noah Hellyer OL
Ulumoo Ale OL *
Will Pliska OL
Gage Harty OL
Matteo Mele OL
Victor Curne OL *
Devin Culp TE
Tuli Letuligasenoa DL *
Sam Taimani DL
Players to Watch:
Joe Tryon: Tyron led the Huskies in TFLs and Sacks in 2019 with 12.5 and 8.0, respectively. The 6’5, 262 Edge Rusher has been named to Athlon’s preseason All-Pac-12 first team.
Jaxson Kirkland: Joining Tryon on Athlon’s preseason All-Pac-12 first team, Kirkland has been a mainstay at Right Guard since his sophomore year. Unfortunately he missed the Apple cup and Las Vegas bowl in 2019 due to injury, but is expected to bounce back in 2020.
Washington State:
Travell Harris WR
Jamire Calvin WR
Lamonte McDougle DL
John Bledsoe QB
Cole Dubots RB
Willie Taylor III EDGE *
Chad Davis Jr. S
Armani Marsh CB *
Damion Lee NB
Blake Mazza K *
David Aldapa LS
Brian Greene OL *
Seth Yost OL
Jimmy Price OL
Abraham Lucas OL *
Christian Mejia DL
Johan Zetterberg K
Dallas Hobbs DL *
Derrick Langford CB *
Max Borghi RB *
Tyrese Ross S
Cammon Cooper QB
Ron Stone Jr. EDGE
Kassidy Woods WR
William Overstreet CB
Pat Nunn DB
Halid Djibril CB
Hank Pladson LB
Jarrett Kingston OL
Ricky Baker LB
Austin Martin OL
Joshua Erling EDGE
Hunter Mayginnes OL
Michael Van Beek DL
Cade Beresford OL
Tyler Williams LS
Syr Riley OL
Blake McDonald OL
Brennan Jackson DL
Lucas Bacon WR
Brandon Gray WR *
Mitchell Quinn WR
Ahmir Crowder DL
Players to Watch:
Max Borghi: Borghi was the top offensive weapon for the Cougars in 2019 as a threat on the ground and through the air. He had 1,414 total yards on offense (817 rushing, 597 receiving) and 16 total TDs. He could work his way to an early second day pick in Aprils draft.
Abraham Lucas: Lucas is said to be the best pass blocking Right Tackle in the country and was named to the outland trophy watch list in 2019. With another successful season he could be a high draft pick with the possibility to be moved to Left Tackle due to his pass blocking prowess.
Utah:
Moroni AnaeLB
Stone Azarcon DB
Bronson Boyd DB
Devin Brumfield RB *
Britain Covey WR *
Jaylen Dixon WR
Solomon Enis WR *
Scott Foley DT
Nick Ford OL *
Cole Fotheringham TE
TJ Green RB
R.J. Hubert DB *
Brant Kuithe TE *
Devin Lloyd LB *
Joe Ludwig TE
Sione Lund LB *
Pierre Moudourou WR
Noah Rodriguez-Trammell LS
Nephi Sewell LB
Dylan Slavens WR
Skyler Southam K
Mika Tafua DE *
Bryan Thompson WR *
Braeden Daniels OL *
Tyler Gonzalez DE
Blake Kuithe DE
Ben Lennon P
Johnny Maea OL
Paul Maile OL
Andrew Mata’afa LB
Malone Mataele DB *
Simi Moala OL *
Eli Morrow DT
Fua Pututau DE
Cameron Rising QB
Dominique Thompson WR
Thomas Yassmin TE
Player to Watch:
Brant Kuithe: Among returning players in 2020, Kuithe had the most total yards in 2019. He contributed with 34 receptions, 602 receiving yards, a 6 receiving TDs. He also had 6 rushing attempts, 102 rushing yards, and 3 TDs, which gives him value as an H-Back/Delanie Walker type player.
Devin Lloyd: From the Linebacker position, Lloyd led the Utes in tackles in 2019 with 91 total tackles, and also contributed with 11 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 1 INT, and 1 TD. Look for him to lead Utah’s defense again in 2020.
Stanford:
Michael Wilson WR *
Donjae Logan CB
Andres Fox OLB
Jack West QB
Ethan Bonner CB
Simi Fehoko WR
Jacob Mangum-Farrar ILB
Dylan Plautz QB
Kendall Williamson S *
Justus Woods RB
Jay Symonds FB
Cameron McFarlane RB
Thomas Booker DE *
Tobe Umerah OLB
Caleb Kelly OLB
TaeVeon Le TE
Ricky Miezan ILB*
Tangaloa Kaufusi OLB
Kyle Petrucci LS *
Jake Lynch ILB
Brycen Tremayne WR
Trey LaBounty DE
Players to Watch:
Michael Wilson: Wilson returns in 2020 as the team’s top receiver. In 2019 he had 56 receptions for 672 yards and 5 TDs. He also provides a bit of value in the return game on kick and punt returns, which of course gives him more value in the draft process.
Thomas Booker: Booker will man one of the edges of Stanford’s defensive line again in 2020. Last season saw him put up solid numbers as he got 50 total tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 4.0 sacks. He will need to increase those numbers in 2020 to move up draft boards.
USC:
Greg Johnson NB *
Isaiah Pola-Mao S *
Jack Webster WR
Hunter Echols OLB
Ben Easington RB
Chase McGrath K
Juliano Falaniko OLB
Jack Drake CB
Nick Figueroa DL
Marlon Tuipulotu DL *
Bryce Matthews OLB
Brett Neilon OL *
Damian Lopez OL
Jalen McKenzie OL *
Andrew Vorhees OL *
Alijah Vera-Tucker OL *
Jay Tufele DL *
Palaie Gaoteote IV ILB *
Olaijah Griffin CB *
Amon-Ra St. Brown WR *
Talanoa Hufanga S *
Kana’i Mauga ILB
Alex Stadthaus K
Isaac Taylor-Stuart CB
Chase Williams S
JT Daniels QB
Zach Wilson WR
Raymond Scott S
Ben Griffiths P
Jordan McMillan S
Markese Stepp RB
Eli’jah Winston ILB
Brad Aoki WR
Jac Casasante LS
Abdul-Malik McClain OLB
Peter Esparza OLB
Spencer Gilbert ILB
Justin Dedich OL *
Solomon Tuliaupupu ILB
AJ Mageo OL
Mark Zuvich OL
Liam Douglass OL
Trevor Trout DL
Players to Watch:
Amon-Ra St. Brown: St. Brown is considered to be one of the better recievers heading into the 2021 NFL draft. Last season he had 1,042 receiving yards on 77 receptions, and 6 TDs. With the departure of Michael Pittman Jr., St. Brown’s numbers should grow in 2020.
Talanoa Hufanga: Hufanga, was second on the team in most major defensive categories for the Trojans in 2019. He had 90 total tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. He reminds me of a lesser version of former Trojan Safety Troy Polamalu.
Colorado:
Guy Thomas OLB
Jamar Montgomery OLB
Curtis Chiaverini WR
Tyler Lytle QB *
Alex Fontenot RB *
Jaylon Jackson WR
Quinn Perry ILB
Maurice Bell WR *
Justin Jackson DL
Chris Miller CB *
Jeremiah Doss DE
Dante Sparaco DL
Daniel Arias WR
Isaiah Lewis S
Mekhi Blackmon CB
Carson Wells OLB *
Curtis Appleton S
Jonathan Van Diest ILB
Brady Russell TE *
Devin Lynch ILB
Chase Newma ILB
Terrance Lang DE *
Colby Pursell OL *
Chance Lytle OL
William Sherman OL *
Heston Paige C
Jared Poplawski TE
Josh Watts P *
Janaz Jordan DT
Nico Magri DT
Dimitri Stanley WR *
Deion Smith RB
Jarek Broussard RB
Luke Stillwell TE
Dylan Thomas CB
Dustin Johnson S
Ray Robinson ILB
Ryan Travis S
Evan Price K
James Townsend LS
Joshua Jynes C
Kanan Ray OL
John Deitchman OL
Casey Roddick OL *
Frank Fillip OL *
Jake Growth WR
Clayton Baca WR
C.J. Schmanski TE
Tyler Francis K
Jalen Sami DT *
Players to Watch:
Alex Fontenot: Fontenot was Colorado’s main offensive weapon in 2019. In 212 tocuhes, he had 996 total yards (874 rushing yards and 122 receiving) and 5 TDs, which all came on the ground. He could provide solid value in the late rounds of the draft.
Terrance Lang: Lang is the top returning pass rusher for the Buffs in 2020. Last season he had 30 total tackles, and 6.5 TFLs. He also led the team in 2019 with 5.5 sacks. At 6’7” 280 lbs, I see him as a 3-4 End or Defensive Tackle in a 4-3 in the NFL.
UCLA:
Mitchell Agude LB
Michael Alves OG
Martin Andrus Jr .NT
Jake Burton OT *
Jaylen Erwin WR *
Demetric Felton RB *
Datona Jackson DT
Caleb Johnson LB
Quentin Lake FS *
Dymond Lee WR
Steven Mason DL
Osa Odighizuwa DE *
Carson Olivas P *
Mo Osling III FS
Leni Toailoa EDGE *
David Vardanian DL
Koby Walsh LS
Jordan Wilson TE
Zach Cochrun OL
Elijah Gates CB
Odua Isibor DE
Cole Kinder RB
Sam Marrazzo OC
Shea Pitts EDGE *
Jay Shaw CB
Jayce Smalley LB
Players to Watch:
Demetric Felton: Felton is heading into 2020 poised to take over as the main offensive threat in Chip Kelly’s offense. The dual threat Running back had 925 yards from scrimmage last season and was even better in the receiving game compared to the rushing game as he had 594 receiving yards and 331 rushing yards. He also had 5 total TDs on the season, 4 through the air and 1 on the ground.
Osa Odighizuwa: Odighizuwa returns as the best Defensive Lineman on the Bruins defense. He led the team in 2019 with 10 TFLs and was second on the team in Sacks with 3.5. He will need to improve those numbers a bit more in 2020 so he can move up draft boards.
Cal:
Chase Garbers QB *
Ben Moos OLB
Collin Moore TE
Branden Smith CB
Ricky Walker III WR
Daniel Scott S *
Matt Horwitz OLB
Evan King WR
Daniel Etter LS
Jack Beeman OL
Poutasi Poutasi OL
Gavin Reinwald TE
Jake Tonges TE *
Gabriel Cherry DE/DT
Nikko Remigio WR *
Christopher Brown Jr. RB *
Jamieson Sheahan P *
Sami Nazzal OL
Aaron Maldonado DL
Monroe Young WR
Robby Rowell QB
Steve Mcintosh S
Parker Bosche OLB
Zach Angelillo FB
Nick Henderson ILB
Miles Owens NG
Isaiah Humphries S
Nick Alftin TE
Chigozie Anusiem CB *
Dario Longhetto K/P
Ben Skinner WR
Slater Zellers LS
JH Tevis DE
Tommy Vanis ILB
Evan Tattersall ILB *
Erick Nisich OL
Matthew Cindric OL
Will Craig OL
Brandon Mello OL
Players to Watch:
Christopher Brown Jr.: Brown Jr. is the top offensive weapon the Golden Bears have. Sadly, he was the only player on the offense last year to amass 530 total yards on offense, where he had 1,080. Due to lack of numbers from his teammates, Brown Jr. had 230 touches last year, with 208 coming on the ground, which isn’t great when looking to draft a Running back. He did also lead the team with 12 total TDs.
Chase Garbers: Garbers had a decent 2019 campaign as the Quarterback of the Golden Bears. He threw for 131 completions on 215 attempts for 1,772 yards. That was good for a 60.9 completion percentage. He was safe with the ball as he had a 14 to 3 ratio when looking at TDs to INTs. He also showed a bit of mobility as he ran for 223 yards and 3 TDs.
Arizona State:
Tannor Park WR
Cristian Zendejas PK
Cody Shear OL *
Kyle Breed OL
Corey Stephens OL
Kyle Soelle LB
D.J. Davidson DL *
Timarcus Davis DB
K.J. Jarrell DB
Vincenzo Granatelli DB
Aashari Crosswell S *
Merlin Robertson LB
Darien Butler LB *
T.J. Pesefea DL
Jermayne Lole DL *
Geordon Porter WR
Stanley Lambert LB
Cam Phillips S
A.J. Carter RB
Keith Davis WR
Angel Ruiz WR
Alijah Gammage DB
Jarrett Bell OL *
Marco Salas OL
Eddie Medina OL
Spencer Lovell OL
Ralph Frias OL
Grant Miles TE
Michael Matus DE *
Players to Watch:
Darien Butler: Bulter led the Sun Devils in total tackles last season with 88. 6.5 of those came as TFLs, and he even had 1 sack. He has been dubbed as one of the most physical Linebackers on the west coast and looks to be a major contributor in ASU’s 3-3-5 defense in 2020.
Aashari Crosswell: Crosswell was one of the top pass defenders on ASU in 2019. He is more of an over the top free safety, but he is considered to be a solid ball hawk. In 2019 he had 50 total tackles, 2 INTs, 10 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery and 3 forced fumbles.
Arizona:
Drew Dixon WR
Brian Casteel WR *
Cameron Fietz QB
Malik Hausman CB
Rhedi Short S
Blake Pfaff S
Nathan Tilford RB
Rourke Freeburg S
Parker Henley LB
Jalen Harris EDGE *
Josh Donovan OL
Robert Congel OL *
Edgar Burrola OL *
Paiton Fears OL
Tyson Gardner OL
Karl Altenburg WR
Stanley Berryhill III WR
Christian Young S *
McKenzie Barnes CB
Tristen D’Angelo TE
Donovan Laie OL *
Stacey Marshall TE
Tre Adams WR
Jamarye Joiner WR *
Kevin Doyle QB
Luke Ashworth QB
Darrius “Bam” Smith RB
Nazar Bombata RB
Dante Smith LB
Jashon ButlerWR
Issaiah Johnson DE
Jack Koceman TE
Nahe Sulunga DT
Mykee Irving DL
David Watson OL
Zach Williams WR
Brice Vooletich WR
Players to Watch:
Jamarye Joiner: Joiner is the top returning offensive weapon for the Wildcats. He had 552 receiving yards on 34 receptions last season and also contributed with 5 TDs. He averaged 16.2 yards per catch, and should have more reps coming his way as he moves into the primary receiver slot in 2020.
Donavan Laie: Laie started all 12 games last season for Arizona. He shows he not only has a solid frame (6’4”, 315 lbs) but he also showed versatility starting 10 games at Left Tackle and 2 at Left Guard. Look for him to be the anchor for Arizona’s offensive line in 2020.
