USC could actually replenish its stable
In every conference, championships and bowl bids come from the work that coaches put in on the recruiting trail. That adage, of course, rings true in the rough and tough Pac-10. Here's a look at what Pac-10 teams are looking for on the recruiting trail when piecing together their 2010 classes.
Safety
Sophomore Robert Golden (Fresno, Calif./Edison) is expected to start at strong safety after showing promise on special teams and in the limited playing time he got on defense last season. However, starting FS Cam Nelson and reserve Brandon Tatum are both seniors, while reserve Joe Perkins is a junior. As if that's not enough to raise a red flag, Arizona has failed to sign any safeties of note this year.
Offensive tackle
LT Jack Julsing has steadily improved and now looks ready to step in for Eben Britton, whom the Philadelphia Eagles drafted in the seventh round of this year's draft. In addition, the Wildcats signed Jake Baratz (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North), Chris Putton (Glendale, Ariz./Cactus) and junior college transfer Shane Zink (Redding, Calif./Shasta College) this year. However, Putton isn't considered a high-level prospect and there are no guarantees the other two will progress as hoped, which is reason for concern. The Wildcats need tackles capable of competing for playing time early in their careers because of the impending turnover because Julsing and backup Phillip Garcia are both juniors, while RT Adam Grant is a senior. It should be noted that Arizona does have commitments from three offensive tackles from the Class of 2010.
Defensive end
Arizona signed Jackson Powell (Newbury Park, Calif./Newbury Park) and junior college transfer Jonathan Hollins this year, but it appears that the Wildcats will play Hollins at defensive tackle. In addition, starters Ricky Elmore and Brooks Reed and backup D'Aundre Reed are all juniors, so Arizona should again be in the market for defensive ends.
Wide receiver
The Sun Devils did well to sign J.J. Holliday (Tucson, Ariz./Santa Rita) this year, but their job is far from done because Arizona State's receiving corps is littered with upperclassmen. Further complicating matters, the Sun Devils frequently spread the field with multiple receiver sets. They did get commitments from three 2010 receivers, but adding even more talent and depth here is critical.
Tight end
Arizona State signed Chris Coyle (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) and Max Smith (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) this year. However, the Sun Devils should still be in the market for at least one tight end capable of providing quality depth as a true freshman and pushing for playing time early in his career. The tight end plays a key role in the Sun Devils' passing attack and both starter Jovon Williams and backup Stanley Malamala are seniors. To their credit, they have received a commitment from TE Josh Fulton (Phoenix, Ariz./Saint Mary's), who is the No. 15 overall tight end.
Quarterback
Senior Danny Sullivan appears ready to take over the reigns from three-year starter Rudy Carpenter, redshirt sophomore Samson Szakacsy has shown promise and incoming freshman Brock Osweiler (Kalispell, Mont./Flathead) has a great deal of upside. But even if Osweiler emerges as the heir apparent, the Sun Devils will still need to add depth.
Outside linebacker
Cal bolstered its depth here by signing junior college transfers Jerome Meadows and Jarred Price this year, but a great deal of turnover still looms. Meadows, Price and reserve Charles Johnson are all juniors while starters Eddie Young and Devin Bishop are both seniors. To the Bears' credit, they have received a commitment from Cecil Whiteside (Newport Harbor, Calif./Newport Harbor), who is the 13th best OLB in the Class of 2010.
Wide receiver
There is a lot to like about the upside of 2008 signee Marvin Jones (Etiwanda, Calif./Etiwanda) and redshirt sophomores Alex Lagemann and Michael Calvin. The problem is all three have had some problems staying healthy. That's reason for concern, considering three of the top four spots on the depth chart are occupied by upperclassmen and Cal failed to sign a difference-making receiver of note this year.
Running back
Junior Jahvid Best and sophomore Shane Vereen give Cal one of the most explosive 1-2 punches in all of college football. In addition, the Golden Bears also signed two promising running back prospects this year and Covaughn DeBoskie-Johnson (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) last year. However, this remains a need because the Bears must prepare for the possibility that Best leaves school early.
Defensive tackle
Out of the 120 teams in the FBS, Oregon's run defense ranked 23rd in yards allowed per game last year thanks in large part to a deep interior defensive line. The Ducks will again field a deep defensive tackle unit this year, but they need to start working in younger players. The top four defensive tackles on Oregon's roster are all upperclassmen and two of the three defensive tackles they signed this year are junior college transfers.
Running back
LeGarrette Blount and backup Andre Crenshaw are both seniors, while Remene Alston Jr. is a junior. In addition, Oregon moved 2008 signee Kenjon Barner from running back to defensive back. The Ducks did sign LaMichael James (Texarkana, Texas/Liberty Eylau) last year, but must continue to target running backs. To their credit, they have commitments from two top-30 RBs from the Class of 2010.
Tight end
Ed Dickson is one of the best receiving tight ends in the country but he's a senior, backup Malachi Lewis is a junior and reserve David Paulsen is a redshirt sophomore. Though 2008 signee Dion Jordan (Chandler Ariz./Chandler) has the potential to develop into a productive receiver, he weighs only 215 pounds despite measuring 6-foot-7. As a result, there are concerns about his ability to develop into an effective blocker.
Hopefully, 2010 commit Curtis White -- who's the No. 5 TE in the nation -- could complement Jordan in time.
Defensive tackle
Three of the six defensive tackles listed on the preseason depth chart are juniors and two are seniors. In addition, Oregon State -- like a lot of other schools -- rotates it defensive linemen. So, even though redshirt freshmen Jesse Fifita and Castro Masanai could develop into substantial contributors, the Beavers need to add depth here.
Tight end
Failing to sign a tight end of note the past two years has made finding one this year a priority. After all, starter Howard Croom is a senior, backup Brady Camp is a junior and reserve John Reese is a senior.
Quarterback
The Beavers enter the fall with two proven quarterbacks in Lyle Moevao and Sean Canfield, but both are seniors. While Peter Lalich, who transferred from Virginia last year, could be the answer for next season when he is a junior. The Beavers signed Cody Vaz (Stockton, Calif./Saint Mary's) and Ryan Katz (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica) last year, but they should be in the market again for a talented quarterback. They do have a commitment from 2010 QB Sean Mannion, who is a top-50 signal-caller.
Inside linebacker
Starter Clinton Snyder is a senior and Nick Macaluso is a junior. Making matters worse, Stanford did not sign a true inside linebacker of note from the Class of 2009. However, the Cardinal have commitments from the No. 25 and No. 26 ranked ILB from the Class of 2010.
Defensive tackle
Similar to the inside linebacker situation, the Cardinal are heavy with upperclassmen defensive tackles. In addition, Padric Scott transferred to FAMU to be closer to his family. Stanford did well to sign Terrence Stephens (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard), but this year it needs to continue to add talent and build depth here.
Fullback
The Cardinal did well to get Liam McNally, who walked on last year. However, depth is still going to become an issue because Owen Marecic and Andrew Fowler are juniors and Josh Catron is a senior. It is also worth noting Stanford's pro-style attack is predicated on a power running game, which means the Cardinal will be looking to target fullbacks that can hold their own in phone-booth situations.
Defensive tackle
Seniors Jerzy Siewierski and Jess Ward as well as juniors Brian Price and David Carter occupy the top spots on the depth chart. In addition, only two Pac-10 teams gave up more rushing yards per game than the Bruins did last year. As a result, infusing talented youth in an effort to improve the run defense makes sense, especially because UCLA failed to sign a tackle of note from the Class of 2009. The Bruins do have a commitment from Julious Moore (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue), who is the ranked 15th among DTs from the Class of 2010.
Offensive guard
The Bruins ranked No. 116 in rushing yards, and their inability to consistently create seams for their backs played a big role in the lack of production. The good news is UCLA signed Jeff Baca (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) from the Class of 2008, as well as Stan Hasiak (Kapolei, Hawaii/Kapolei) and Greg Capella (El Diamante, Calif./ El Diamante) from the Class of 2009. However, Baca may be a better fit at tackle and there are no guarantees that Hasiak or Capella will develop as hoped, so the Bruins should continue to look for help here.
Wide receiver
This is a far more pressing need than it appears to be at first glance because the Bruins have adequate depth here. The issue is finding dynamic playmakers because the receivers on the roster combined to catch only one touchdown pass in 2008. UCLA has signed five receivers over the past two years, including highly touted prospect Randall Carroll (Los Angeles/Cathedral). However, the Bruins should continue to target the position to insure they find one or more difference-makers capable of giving the passing attack a boost early on in their careers.
Running back
Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight, C.J. Gable and Allen Bradford form a talented, deep running back corps. However, Johnson is a senior and the rest are juniors. Further complicating matters, McKnight and/or Gable could leave school early. Meanwhile, reserves Curtis McNeal and Marc Tyler have plenty of upside but are unproven, so adding depth and competition makes sense. It should be noted that the Trojans have a commitment from the No. 3 athlete in the Class of 2010, D.J. Morgan.
Tight end
Three seniors and a junior occupy four of the seven tight end spots. Morrell Presley, who was one of the top tight end prospects in the Class of 2009, de-comitted from USC and enrolled at UCLA. The Trojans do have two promising sophomores in Rhett Ellison and Blake Ayles, but help could be on the way in the form of Class of 2010 commits Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer, who are the Nos. 1 and 9 ranked tight ends in the nation.
Interior offensive lineman
The Trojans did an excellent job of landing Kahled Holmes (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei) last year and John Martinez (Salt Lake City, Utah/Cottonwood) this year. However, they need to continue to get help here because Jeff Byers, Nick Howell and Alex Parsons are all seniors. Plus, junior C Kristofer O'Dowd is arguably the best center in college football, so there is a chance he leaves school early.
Offensive guard
Sophomore Senio Kelemete, who saw time at defensive tackle in 2008, made a smooth transition to guard this past spring and is slated to start on the right side. However, LG Ben Ossai and backup Morgan Rosborough are both seniors. Center Ryan Tolar is versatile enough to line up at guard, but he's a junior. In addition, Allen Carroll (Oakland, Calif./McClymond) has transferred and Alameda Ta'Amu (Seattle/Rainier Beach) has been moved to the defensive line. Making matters worse, the Huskies failed to sign an interior offensive lineman of note from the Class of 2009.
Outside linebacker
Turnover is the issue for the Huskies' linebacking corps because four upperclassmen occupy the top four spots on the depth chart. It also doesn't help that sophomore Johri Fogerson moved to safety. On a more positive note, the Huskies signed Jordan Wallace (Sacramento, Calif./Grant) this year, but they must continue to infuse youth and upgrade the talent level here.
Defensive tackle
Only two of the 119 FBS teams surrendered more rushing yards per game than the Huskies did in 2008 and their lack of size on the inside contributed to their problems here. This is why moving the 348-pound Ta'Amu to the defensive side of the ball makes so much sense. It's also worth pointing out that Washington signed Chris Robinson (Tustin, Calif./Tustin) and Semisi Tokolahi (Hilo, Hawaii/Hilo) this year. However, Robinson is undersized so the Huskies need to continue to target space eaters. It's worth noting the Huskies have a commitment from the No. 16 DT from the Class of 2010 in Sione Potoa'e (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes).
Center
The Cougars' rushing attack averaged only 95 yards per game last season, which was eighth in the Pac-10 and 110th in the FBS. One of the chief reasons for their struggles has been the play of the offensive line and now Kenny Alfred, who is arguably Washington State's most talented lineman, is a senior. Making matters worse, backup Andrew Roxas is a junior and No. 3 Chris Prummer is a redshirt junior.
Wide receiver
2008 signings Jared Karstetter (Spokane, Wash./Joel E. Ferris) and Kevin Norrell (Long Beach, Calif./L.B. Polytechnic) showed promise last year and both are expected to play big roles this year. However, this unit is littered with juniors, so even though Washington State did well to sign Gino Simone (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline) this year, it has more work to do here.
Tight end
The Cougars did well to sign Skylar Stormo (Mukilteo, Wash./Kamiak) and Andrei Lintz (Bellingham, Wash./Meridian) in 2008, so why is tight end a top-three need again? Tony Thompson and Zach Tatman are both seniors, so depth is becoming an issue and it almost never hurts to bring in some more competition.
Kevin Weidl is a former college quarterback who has been evaluating prospects for Scouts Inc. since 2008.
