Devy Tweet Storm: Pac 12

Rob Willette Posted On June 19, 2017

Last weekend, I was stuck inside and my mind drifted to the current college football landscape. To escape the bad weather outside, I created a storm of my own…a Tweetstorm. In this series of articles, you’ll find some quick thoughts on every Power Five college football team, plus Notre Dame, and key players from those teams. Remember, you can find more content like this routinely if you follow me on Twitter @RobWillette.

Stormy day. Going to cap it by Tweetstorming some thoughts on every Power 5 team for devy purposes.

— Rob Willette (@RobWillette24) June 11, 2017

Arizona

-Good backfield. Nick Wilson had an excellent freshman year then injury-riddled year two and three. Was never a premier athlete to begin. If he lost any explosion, hard to see him getting a lot of run in this backfield or sniffs from the NFL.

-True sophomore J.J. Taylor is an explosive weapon. Very tiny. Niche player at best at next level but very fun to watch.

-True freshman Nathan Tilford may be best prospect here. Big frame (6’2″, 215) and natural pass catcher. A bit funky at times but good prospect.

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Arizona State

-Loaded with devy talent. WR N’Keal Harry will be one of nation’s best receivers starting this year. Aggressive on the ball in the air and shifty YAC for a receiver with his size. Currently my number one WR for 2019.

-Fellow receiver John Humphrey made big mark in spring. Easy speed. The perfect complement to Harry. Potential breakout player.

–Kallen Ballage is well-known at this point. His receiving ability is the best long-term sign for him. Can run and move like a WR in space. Some work to do in-between tackles but he can win in key areas which gets you boatloads of fantasy points.

-Senior Demario Richard has had a nice career. Never took off as hoped. Big contributor for Sun Devils and may find a short-term role in NFL.

-Incoming freshman Eno Benjamin is a no-nonsense thumper with good balance. If he can make strides athletically he could become a legit prospect.

-Alabama transfer Blake Barnett will get a shot eventually. Maybe not in 2017; likely on a few deep devy rosters.

Cal

-Running back Vic Enwere is a guy I liked a few years ago. Looks more like a generic thumper now. Needs to really have a big year.

-True sophomore WR Demetris Robertson takes over as the number one. Explosive skills with the football in his hands. Speed and elusiveness not in question. Questions as to how he competes with physical coverage. Scheme may not allow this to be illustrated over next two seasons.

UCLA

-Offense was diseased last year. Nobody hurt more than Soso Jamabo, though he was part of problem. Freshman year, he looked like a big back with some freaky abilities in space and an expanding overall portfolio. Looked different in ’16. Still upside here but a puzzling arc of development.

-Senior RB Nate Starks could be the lead back. Best move-the-chains runner on the roster. More of a quality college RB. Do not see NFL upside.

-True sophomore WR Theo Howard should blow up at some point. Smooth open field athlete who would thrive in a wide open offense. My favorite devy prospect on the roster outside of this next guy.

–Josh Rosen’s sophomore season was marred by injury but he’s still got an elite overall profile as a quarterback. Old school NFL types will likely be turned off by the fact he takes a different approach to life but he has been making NFL throws since freshman year.

-TE Devin Asiasi transferred from Michigan. Will take a bit to see returns but he can become a top-notch TE before career is over.

Colorado

-RB Phillip Lindsay was a workhorse in 2016 and helped give the Buffs high level defense a lot of rest. See him as an undersized guy who lacks explosive traits; back-up type at next level.

-True sophomore RB Beau Bisharat could be heir apparent to Lindsay. Big RB (6’2″, 215) who has potential as thumper with good feet.

Oregon

-Came around to senior RB Royce Freeman. Understand concerns with burst/speed but he is a big runner with few glaring flaws. Think those guys succeed more than fail. Pass catching is sound/can shed arm tackles without exposing himself to punishment. Plus starter.

-WR Darren Carrington should get the Pac – 12 lifetime achievement award. Has had hype since Oregon’s playoff appearance with Marcus Mariota. Never been big on talent. Not huge or supremely athletic. Off-field/injury baggage. No thanks.

-Sophomore QB Justin Herbert was a revelation in 2016. Huge and thrived in horrific circumstances. On the watch list at QB.

-RB Tony Brooks-James is more what you have expected from Ducks backs in the past. Speedy and undersize. Think he has a bit more potential than the other notable small Ducks runners. Cut above.

Oregon State

–Jordan Villamin still exists. There’s still something to see here. Beavers do not offer him much opportunity.

USC

-Talent base as a whole is back to what we saw under Pete Carroll. Sam Darnold – obviously – was great late in 2016. Funky release but ball out on time. Has a certain panache on the football field. Athletic enough yet does not look to run. Like him.

-RB Ronald Jones has incredible speed and burst. Glides through second level of defense. One of top 2018 RBs.

–Aca’Cedric Ware is another good RB in this stable. Got lost behind RJIII/Davis last year. Looks like the number two and should pop.

-True freshman Stephen Carr could have a role in 2017. Excellent pass catcher. Not as high on him as the consensus but long-term intrigue.

-They have WRs. Deontay Burnett emerged late in 2016. Returns as top dog. Think he is better served as complementary weapon.

–Michael Pittman Jr. is everyone’s new darling. Like him; just not paying the price right now. Big WR who can punish people after catch. Want to see him thrive at the catch point. Be a bully with the ball in the air. Could be Trojans’ best playmaker if he does.

-The only thing Tyler Vaughns was missing is bulk. Curious to see how much he has added with a year of weight training. He can float in the air when attacking the football. Smooth if one speed athlete. True number one potential with added weight/physicality.

-Redshirt freshman Velus Jones has gotten a lot of spring hype. Easy speed and looks like an all-purpose weapon; underrated prospect.

-Florida transfer Daniel Imatorbhebhe is one of the best kept secrets in the devy tight end world. Likely not a 2018 guy but could push for top TE In 2019. The modern tight end.

Stanford

-RB Bryce Love is Christian McCaffrey replacement. Not nearly the same prospect; has plenty of juice in legs, however, and can catch. Needs to show he can run tough where it counts. Would also like to see how he evolves as offense should get better.

–J.J. Arcega-Whiteside gets lost with struggling passing game and the lingering hype for Trenton Irwin. Plus athlete. He’s big and powerful after the catch. Somebody who needs to be discussed.

–Trenton Irwin is a technician and has more than enough athleticism. Just has not had the opportunity to really thrive given surroundings. Still intrigued by him. Just need to see it in 2017.

-They have a billion tight ends. Dalton Schultz closest to NFL. Cardinal are a tight end factory.

-Very rarely on freshman quarterbacks. Davis Mills is the guy to own here, however. Could see snaps in 2017, though not Stanford MO.

Utah

-Sophomore running back Zack Moss was a decent power back in 2016. Needs physical maturation in terms of athleticism to be notable.

-My favorite long-term play here: true freshman WR Bryan Thompson. Think he was unjustly overlooked by recruiting services.

Washington

-People will nitpick size of Myles Gaskin but not sure what else he is missing. Top shelf athlete with explosive limbs. He runs with reckless abandon and has a strong lower half. Think he is a really good prospect.

–Lavon Coleman could start for a lot of teams. Powerful downhill runner. Likely not NFL starter; has a role, however.

-QB Jake Browning is one of college football’s best signal-callers. Underwhelming arm. See him as backup material when he moves on.

–Dante Pettis has supreme athleticism and sticky hands. Bit sinewy in his frame. The new go-to receiver for Browning. Great production in 2016. Could see him settling in as NFL WR2.

-True freshman RB Salvon Ahmed is electric in every sense of word. Gets on defense in a heartbeat. Potential 2018 starter. Elite playmaker.

Washington State

-QB Luke Falk is not just an Air Raid quarterback. Makes anticipation throws and despite unorthodox motion, surgical. Lot of experience/plus frame and interesting profile. Notable QB for 2018.

If you enjoyed this look at the PAC 12, check out the other parts of this series for my thoughts on the other Power Five conferences.

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