In the coming weeks we will take a look at all draft eligible prospects from the west region of Division 1, both FBS and FCS. The west region will consists of the Pac-12 Conference, The Mountain West Conference, The Big Sky Conference, Independent Schools BYU & New Mexico State, and Pioneer Football League Conference team University of San Deigo. 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 (*) beside their name. Starting this week we are going to focus on Pac-12 Conference Seniors.
Arizona:
Brenden Schooler –WR
Aaron Blackwell –DL
Lorenzo Burns –CB *
Jarrius Wallace –S *
Thomas Reid III –WR
Jacob Meeker-Hackett –P/WR
Josh McCauley –OL *
Steven Bailey –OL
Jalen Cochran –DE
Tony Fields II –LB *
Scottie Young Jr. –S/LB *
Colin Schooler –LB *
Anthony Pandy –LB
Tayvian Cunningham –WR *
JB Brown –DE *
Kylan Wilborn –LB
Gary Brightwell –RB *
Dante Diaz-Infante –DE
Connor Hutchings –TE/OL
Lucas Havrisik –K *
Bryce Wolma –TE *
Trevon Mason –DL *
Myles Tapusoa –DL *
Players to Watch:
Colin Schooler – Colin Schooler is the heart of the Arizona Wildcats defense. He led the team last year with 98 total tackles, 11 TFL’s, and 2 fumble recoveries. The former Pac 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year is expected to lead the defense again from the Middle Linebacker spot.
Lorenzo Burns – Playing behind Schooler in the secondary is Cornerback Lorenzo Burns out of Murrieta, California. The 2019 Team Defensive MVP led the team with 4 INT’s and 7 passes defended. He has started every game since 2017.
Lucas Havrisik – Havrisik made 94.9% of his PAT’s in 2019 but was only 10 for 17 on FG’s. He is 19 for 32 on his career (59.4%), but he is tied for the longest FG in Arizona history with a 57 yarder. Havrisik also preforms kick off duties for the Wildcats.
Arizona State:
Henry Hattis –OL
Cade Cote –OL
Kellen Diesch –OL
Jack Jones –DB *
Chase Lucas –DB *
Kevin Macias –P *
Frank Darby –WR*
Erik Dickerson –LS *
Evan Fields –DB *
Brandon Pierce –WR
Curtis Hodges –WR
Shannon Forman –DL *
Players to Watch:
Frank Darby – Frank Darby will have big shoes to fill in 2020 with the loss of Brandon Aiyuk to the NFL. In 2019 Darby was second on the team in receiving yards where he had 616 on 31 receptions. He was tied with the aforementioned Aiyuk with 8 TD receptions. Darby could also be asked to fill Aiyuks role in the return game which is a major loss for the Sun Devils.
Jalen Jones – On the defensive side of the ball, take note of Defensive Back Jalen Jones, who led the ASU defense with 3 interceptions and 12 passes defended. He should put on an extra 10 pounds or so in his senior season to fill out his frame before entering the NFL Draft.
Cal:
Devon Modster –QB
Kuony Deng –ILB *
Kekoa Crawford –WR
Cameron Goode –Edge *
Josh Drayden –CB
Marcel Dancy –RB
Camryn Bynum –DB *
DeShawn Collins –RB
Zeandae Johnson –DL
Gabe Siemieniec –K *
Valentino Daltoso –OL *
Gentle Williams –OL
Jake Curhan –OL
Henry Bazakas –OL
Chinedu Udeogu –TE
Luc Bequette –DL
Tevin Paul –EDGE
Elijah Hicks –DB *
Jeremiah Hawkins –WR
Michael Saffell –OL*
Trevon Clark –WR *
Players to Watch:
Kuony Deng – Deng had 121 total tackles in 2019, which was second only to NCAA Leader Evan Weaver who had 181. Deng added 7.5 TFL’s, 3.0 Sacks, 8 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery to his stat sheet last year.
Cameron Goode – Playing on the Edge, Goode is expected to be the team’s top pass rusher as he was in 2019. Last year he led the Golden Bears in TFL’s and Sacks, with 14.0 and 9.5, respectively. He has started in all 22 games played in his career; however, he has missed 16 games over his 3 years at Cal due to injuries. He could be a mid to late round pick in 2021.
UCLA:
Ethan Fernea –WR
Boss Tagaloa –OC
Je’Vari Anderson –ILB
Jason Harris –OLB
Tyree Thompson –OLB
Lokeni Toailoa –ILB *
Josh Woods –EDGE *
Obi Eboh –CB
Qwuantrezz Knight –S
Quentin Lake –S
Johnny Den Bleyker –LS
Wade Lee –P
Players to Watch:
Lokeni Toailoa – Barnes Inside Linebacking partner, Toailoa ranked third on the team in total tackles in 2019 with 51. He also had 6.5 TFL’s, and 1.5 sacks.
Josh Woods – Playing on the Edge in 2019, Woods had 50 total tackles, 6.0 TFL’s and 4.5 sacks. He is expected to start every game in 2020 as he did in 2019.
Colorado:
K.D. Nixon –WR *
Derrion Rakestraw –S *
Sam Noyer –QB
Jash Allen –ILB
Mustafa Johnson –DE *
Akil Jones –ILB
James Stefanou –K *
Nate Landman –ILB *
Kary Kutsch –OL *
Players to Watch:
Nate Landman – Landman led Colorado with 113 total tackles in 2019. He was named to the pre-season watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, and the Dick Butkus Award in 2019. At 6’3”, 230lbs, he has prototypical size for a run stopping Middle Linebacker.
James Stefanou – In 2019, Stefanou hit 26 of 27 extra point attempts for a 96.3% rate. He was also solid on his FG’s, kicking 12 of 17 through the upright for 70.6% success rate. On his career, he is 98.9% on extra points and 72.3% on FG’s. The Aussie is currently the oldest player in the FBS (Born on April 15th, 1987)
Oregon:
Johnny Johnson III –WR *
Jaylon Redd –WR *
Justin Collins –WR
Hunter Kampmoyer –TE *
Cam McCormick –TE
Nick Pickett –S *
Brady Breeze –S
Sam Poutasi –OL
Nate Heaukulani –ILB
Dru Mathis –ILB
Sampson Niu –ILB
Jordon Scott –NT *
Austin Faoliu –DL *
John Harvey –DB
Thomas Graham Jr. –CB *
Deommodore Lenoir –CB *
Players to Watch:
Austin Faoliu – PFF had him ranked as the 3rd best Pac 12 defensive lineman in 2019. He has 103 total tackles and 5.0 sacks in 3 years as Oregon’s 3-4 defensive end.
Thomas Graham Jr. – Tied for the team lead in passes defended in 2019 with 10. He also had 2 interceptions and 64 total tackles.
Johnny Johnson III – In 2019, Johnson III led the team with 836 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns on 57 catches. Look for him to break 1,000 yards as he will be the main receiver in the offense.
Oregon State:
Trevon Bradford –WR *
Hamilcar Rashed Jr. –EDGE *
Caleb Lightbourn –P
Doug Taumoelau –ILB
Luke Leonnig –ILB
Andrzej Hughes-Murray –LB
Jordan Whittley –DL *
Keli’l Montibon –OL
Korbin Sorensen –OL *
Nathan Eldridge –OL *
Nous Keobounnam –OL
Jeromy Reichner –DL
Isaiah Dunn –DB
Players to Watch:
Rashed Hamilcar Jr. – If you read my Top Edge Rushers in the 2021 NFL Draft article, you will know Hamilcar Jr. is a sleeper first round pick in my eyes. He led the FBS in TFL’s with 22.5 in 2019 and was tied for 3rd in Sacks with 14.0.
Trevon Bradford – Look for him to take over from Isaiah Hodgins, who entered the 2020 NFL Draft. Bradford has 1,034 receiving yards and 8 TD’s on 85 receptions going into his 5th and final season as a redshirt-senior.
USC:
Matt Fink –QB
Tyler Vaughns –WR *
Quincy Jountti –RB
Vavae Malepeai –RB *
Chris Caulk –WR
Grant Jones –ILB
Scott Voigt –TE
Michael Brown –K
Bernard Schirmer –OL
Jordan Iosefa –ILB *
Damon Johnson –LS
Frank Martin II –OL
Liam Jimmons –OL
Daniel Imatorbhebhe –TE
Connor Murphy –DL
Caleb Tremblay –DL *
Stephen Carr –RB *
Josh Falo –TE
Erik Krommenhoek –TE
Brandon Pili –NT *
Players to Watch:
Tyler Vaughns – Not the best receiver on the team, but Vaughns will be expected to be a solid contributor to the Trojans offense, as he posted over 900 receiving yards in 2019. His role will have him make up for production they are losing from the absence of Michael Pittman Jr.
Jordan Iosefa – A starter in 2018, Iosefa was named as a team captain in 2019, however he suffered a major knee injury that put him out most of the season. He is currently set to miss spring camp, however, look for him to be a leader in the middle of the USC defense in 2020.
Brandon Pili – As a Nose Tackle, his stats are obviously not remarkable, however the big bodied gap stuffer from Alaska could be a solid NT in a 3-4 scheme in the NFL.
Stanford:
Curtis Robinson –LB
Malik Antoine –S
J.J. Parson –S
Treyjohn Butler –CB
Jordan Fox –LB
Jet Toner –K
Dorian Maddox –RB
Scooter Harrington –TE
Thomas Schaffer –DE
Connor Wedington –WR *
Osiris St. Brown -WR
Noah Williams –S
Paulson Adebo –CB *
Cameron Buzzell –WR
Davis Mills –QB *
Stuart Head –S *
Ryan Johnson –DE
Houston Heimuli –FB *
Caleb Phillips –OLB
Dalyn Wade-Perry –DT *
Drew Dalman –C *
Jake Koffman –OL
Dylan Boles –DE
Walker Little –OL *
Thunder Keck –LB
Foster Sarell –OL *
Kyle McCombs –TE
Tucker Fisk –TE
Gabe Reid –EDGE *
Players to Watch:
Daivs Mills – Mills took over the job mid-way through the 2019 season due to the starters injury and the rest is history. He threw for 1,960 yards and 11 TD’s. His 2019 QB rating was 144.8. He set a school single game record when he threw for 504 yards vs Washington State. With a strong and healthy season, Mills could rise up draft boards like Joe Burrow at LSU did in 2019.
Walker Little – Little heads in to the 2020 season being ranked as one of the top Offensive Tackle in the Nation. He probably would have left school early if his 2019 season wasn’t cut short due to a major knee injury. He is expected to be a top 5 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, as long as he is able to stay healthy. He will be tasked with protecting Davis Mills’ backside all year.
Utah:
London Bartholomew –OL
Jake Bentley –QB*
Vonte Davis –S
Samuelu Elisaia –LB
Nels Haltom –K/P
Mufi Hill-Hunt –DT
Drew Lisk –QB
Keegan Markgraf –LS
Viane Moala –DT *
Samson Nacua –WR
Ali’i Niumatalolo –TE
Bamidele Olaseni –OL
Hauati Pututau –DL *
Pita Tonga –DT
Maxs Tupai –DE
Orlando Umana –OL *
Tyrone Young-Smith –WR
Players to Watch:
Jake Bentley – New to Utah in 2020, I expect the South Carolina transfer to become the signal caller for the Utes offense for his one and only season in Salt Lake City. Bentley has thrown for 7,385 yards and 54 TD’s in 32 starts since 2016.
Orlando Umana – the 6’4, 340lbs Offensive Lineman started 12 games at Center in 2019, he missed 2 due to injury. He has experience at the Guard position as well.
Washington:
Elijah Molden –S *
Keith Taylor –S*
Isaiah Gilchrist –DB
Brandon McKinney –DB
Kamari Pleasant –RB
Sean McGrew –RB
Race Porter –P
Luke Lane –LS
Ryan Bowman –OLB *
Luke Wattenberg –OL *
Jordan Chin –WR
Fatu Sua-Godinet –WR
Jacob Kizer –TE
Josiah Bronson –DL
Levi Onwuzurike –DL *
Players to Watch:
Levi Onwuzurike – The 2019 first team All-Pac-12 Defensive Lineman will be the face of the Huskies defensive line in 2020. He has the frame and intangibles to be use as either a 4-3 DT or a 3-4 DE in the NFL.
Elijah Molden – Molden led the Huskies in tackles, interceptions and forced fumbles in 2019. The 2019 Las Vegas Bowl MVP was also first team All-Pac-12, PFF All-American Second Team, and Pac 12 Academic Honor Roll in 2019.
Ryan Bowman – Bowman started 11 out of a possible 13 games in 2019, so he should be slotted back into that same Outside Linebacker role in 2020. He was a 2019 second team All-Pac-12, who had 34 total tackles, 9.5 TFL’s, 5.5 Sacks, 1 interception, and 3 forced fumbles. His frame would translate to a 4-3 OLB in the NFL.
Washington State:
Renard Bell –WR *
Jahad Woods –LB *
Deon McIntosh –RB
Skyler Thomas –S *
Bryce Beekman –S
Justus Rogers –LB *
Clay Markoff –RB
Dillon Sherman –LB
Liam Ryan –OL *
Josh Watson –OL *
Calvin Jackson Jr. –WR
Oscar Draguicevich III –P *
Davontavean Martin –WR *
George Hicks III –CB *
Will Rodgers III –DL *
Players to Watch:
Jahad Woods – Woods led the team in total tackles in 2019 with 141 which was good for 4th in the nation. He had 10 TFL’s, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble to add to his stat line. He looks to be a solid mid round 4-3 OLB in the NFL.
Skyler Thomas – Thomas led the Cougars in 2019 with 4 Ints and 2 Fumble Recoveries. He has started every game but 1 since the beginning of his sophomore season.
Oscar Draguicevich III – Draguicevich was named to the 2019 Ray Guy Award Preseason Watchlist as one of the best Punters in college football. He has punted 76 times in his career, averaging 45.5 yards per punt, and has 27 punts inside the 20 with only 7 touchbacks.
Let us know what Pac-12 senior you are most excited for in the comments below!
