CFB: The Top Five Pac-12 Players of 2021
Nationally, the Pac-12 is disregarded in terms of talent and overall football competition. With games being played later due to time changes, the conference struggles to get put on the national scale. With that being said, there is plenty of talent out west. Schools like USC and Oregon have been known to produce top-notch talent at the NFL level. These five players are ranked in order on a general scale that takes into account their skill, what numbers they put up, and the impact that they provide to their school to win ball games. If you want to check out the top five players in the SEC, click here.
5. Jarek Broussard - Colorado, Running Back
In 2020, Jarek Broussard burst onto the scene in Boulder after redshirting his freshman year and dealing with an injury. Now, the redshirt sophomore is the most talented running back in the conference for the upcoming football year. In six games, Broussard ran for 865 yards and 5 touchdowns contributing to Buffalo's success in 2020. Broussard earned the title of Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 deeming himself an offensive threat. Broussard is a tough kid, he has dealt with multiple knee injuries including an ACL tear. Look out for Broussard to make the leap from conference recognition to the national spotlight.
4. Trent McDuffie - Washington, Defensive Back
Trent McDuffie is the best defensive back in the conference and there is no argument. McDuffie is getting NFL recognition and is projected to be a pick in the first round of the draft. While McDuffie is a talent on the field, he contributes to a culture of winning by holding his teammates to the “U-Dub standard”. McDuffie is described to have a strong powerful body and plays the game with a quick twitch. As a freshman, McDuffie had 45 total tackles, one interception, and three fumbles recovered, he put up studly numbers too in 2020. Earning honors such as 2020 All-Pac-12 second team, McDuffie will look to continue his success for the 2021 football season.
3. Drake Jackson - USC, Linebacker
Drake Jackson is a national talent and cracks the top three players in the Pac-12. The kid is a stud and the numbers do not lie. As a freshman, he has 46 total tackles, 11.5 of those were for a loss while he accumulated 5.5 sacks too. In 2020, he filled up the stat sheet as well, leading to gathering honors such as Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week and 2020 All-Pac-12 second team. He has incredible feet and lateral agility at the line which allows him to get past defenders and chase down the quarterback. Opposing offenses will have to draw up specific plans to contain Jackson as he will make an impact for the Trojans in 2021.
2. Kedon Slovis - USC, Quarterback
Coming in at number two is Kedon Slovis, there is no doubt he is the best quarterback in the conference and has the opportunity to prove that he might be the most talented quarterback in the nation. Already one of the Heisman Trophy favorites, Slovis is making noise around the nation. While he isn’t particularly flashy, it is his accuracy and ball placement that separates him from any other quarterback in the conference. As a freshman, Slovis threw for 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions along with 3,500 yards. After a somewhat down year in 2020 compared to his freshman season, Slovis will be looking to take the Trojans to their first College Football Playoff berth ever.
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux - Oregon, Defensive End
Kayvon Thibodeaux is the best defensive end not only in the conference but in the nation. He has all the hype surrounding him including already being projected as the number one overall prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft. His stats are ridiculous, in his sophomore year he beat out his numbers from his freshman year even while playing 6 fewer games. In 2020, he had 42 total tackles and 3 sacks including 9.5 tackles for a loss. Thibodeaux helped the Ducks win the Pac-12 championship in 2020 and was the game MVP, as well Thibodeaux was named to the AP Pac-12 All-Conference first team. His speed and agility are what make him so unreal and dominant. Thibodeaux will look to continue his dominant play and help the Ducks repeat as Pac-12 champs.
Writer
-By: Justin Howard