How did all of the Pac-12 teams do this recruiting season? Here are the recruiting rankings for the conference, along with the stars for each team, top players, and biggest strengths.
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– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2020 All-Pac-12 Recruiting Team
– Recruiting Team Rankings
Every Pac-12 Team’s Star Recruit
Arizona
QB Will Plummer, 6-2, 205 – He might not be all that big, but he’s a big-time passer with a live arm and the mobility to be what the Kevin Sumlin offense wants.
Key Schools In The Running: Oklahoma State, Colorado, Oregon State
Arizona State
WR Johnny Wilson, 6-6, 230 – An interesting target with the size to grow into a tight end, and the athleticism to be a matchup nightmare as a wideout. Oregon had him, and the Sun Devils flipped him.
Key Schools In The Running: Oregon, USC, Tennessee
Cal
RB Chris Street, 5-9, 195 – Very, very shifty and fast through the hole, he’s a home-run hitter who can be used as a receiver and have plays designed to get the ball in his hands in a variety of ways.
Key Schools In The Running: Arizona State, Utah, USC
Colorado
RB Ashaad Clayton, 6-0, 200 – Really, really fast with the size to bring a little bit of power, he’s more of a home-run hitter than a workhorse. The New Orleans native isn’t just a track guy playing football, though.
Key Schools In The Running: Florida, LSU, Kansas
Oregon
LB Justin Flowe, 6-3, 225 – And go ahead and add Noah Sewell as the No. 1A star of the Oregon class. Sewell is the big-hitting run-stuffer on the inside, and Flowe is the all-around playmaker on the outside with the hybrid pass-rushing ability to be terror from the start.
Key Schools In The Running: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia
Oregon State
QB Chance Nolan, 6-3, 200 – The JUCO transfer has great size, excellent mobility, and the experience to step in and start right away. However, he has only three years of eligibility.
Key Schools In The Running: Utah, UCLA, Oklahoma State
Stanford
OT Myles Hinton, 6-7, 310 – The son of former NFL star Chris Hinton is going to John Elway’s school – Chris was taken one pick after Elway in the 1983 NFL Draft. Myles is a big-body athlete with the talent and smarts to go along with the frame.
Key Schools In The Running: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State
UCLA
QB Parker McQuarrie, 6-7, 208 – Is he it? Is he the quarterback who’s going to make the UCLA offense work under Chip Kelly? He’s not a runner, but he’s got the pro-style size and arm.
Key Schools In The Running: Wisconsin, Miami, Minnesota
USC
WR Gary Bryant, 5-11, 165 – A tall, thin target with great hands and the quickness to be used as a runner from time to time. He could be a kick and punt returner if needed, but he’ll mostly be a deep threat receiver.
Key Schools In The Running: Arizona State, Oklahoma, Oregon
Utah
CB Clark Phillips, 5-10, 187 – With a good frame, great quickness, and the ability to attack the ball with the hands to be used as a receiver if needed – he won’t drop picks. After originally choosing Ohio State, Utah plucked him away.
Key Schools In The Running: Ohio State, UCLA, Notre Dame
Washington
DE Sav’ell Smalls, 6-4, 244 – The Huskies landed the superstar. The Washington native has the NFL size to go along with the unstoppable pass rushing ability to instant step in and produce. He’s going to be the main man for the new era of UW football.
Key Schools In The Running: Florida State, Clemson, Georgia
Washington State
QB Jayden De Laura, 6-1, 190 – He signed on when Mike Leach was still the head man, and now the Hawaii native should grow into Nick Rolovich’s quarterback. He might not be all that big, but he’s deadly accurate and can run.
Key Schools In The Running: Ohio State, USC, Hawaii
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2020 All-Pac-12 Recruiting Team
– Recruiting Team Rankings
NEXT: Pac-12 Recruiting Strengths
Pac-12 Recruiting Strengths
Arizona
Offensive Backfield
It’s all relative considering that no position received a whole lot of incoming talent, but the backfield should be most promising group with QB Will Plummer and running backs Jalen John and Frank Brown the potential stars to build the O around.
Arizona State
Wide Receivers
The secondary and linebackers are getting their share of prospects, and there’s plenty of options for other spots, but the pass catchers are the stars. The wide receivers are the most talented prospects – starting with Chad Johnson Jr. – along with a few tight ends.
Cal
Skill Players
The defense is always going to be strong under Justin Wilcox, but the offense has to be more consistent. With two quarterbacks, two running backs, four wide receivers and two tight ends, the Bears are boosting up the talent to start keeping up the pace.
Colorado
Defensive Ends
A defensive-minded head coach like Mel Tucker is going to want as many disruptive forces as possible. He only got one defensive end in last year’s class, and he made up for it this time around with five coming in from all over the country, including JUCO transfer Justin Jackson and 6-7 Devin Grant.
Oregon
Linebackers
It’s not the deepest position in this recruiting class, but it’s the most talented. Only three linebackers were signed, and Jackson LaDuke is a fantastic one – he’s not even close to being the best prospect among the three. Noah Sewell is the big thumper, and Justin Flowe is the all-around game-changer.
Oregon State
Defensive Backs
It’s the one area that’s enjoyed the biggest boost over the last two recruiting classes. The Beavers keep finding options for the secondary to rotate in, hitting the JUCO ranks for some parts to step in instantly. Overall, this is a very tall, very big group – OSU recruited defensive backs to a type.
Stanford
Offensive Linemen
The secondary is loaded with new talent, and there’s a lot to like at running back, but Stanford is a factory for offensive line talent. It’s not the killer class of blockers that signed in 2017, but the five signed – starting with Myles Hinton – are good enough to form the Pac-12’s best group of O linemen.
UCLA
Linebackers
The defensive ends are okay, two kickers are coming in, and the defensive backs are interesting, but this class is all about the linebackers. Damian Sellers is the best of the five that all have good size, frames, and can move a bit. This group has to be the nucleus in the rebuild.
USC
Offensive Linemen
In a tough recruiting year for the program, Clay Helton and the staff needed offensive linemen after signing two last year, and they got them. They threw bodies at the position with six blockers signed, but none of them are special prospects. There’s going to be a whole lot of developing to do.
Utah
Defensive Ends
Take your pick. The defensive backs are loaded in this class with plenty of options to work around Clark Phillips and Nate Ritchie – the two top gets for the secondary. Defensive end was a need after only signing one last year, and head coach Kyle Whittigham inked our, starting with pass rushers Xavier Carlton and Van Fillinger.
Washington
Pass Catchers
After a relatively light class last year, the Huskies brought in several terrific prospects to get the passing game rolling. Jalen McMillan is the star among the wide receivers, and Mark Redman is a ready-made tight end who should quickly be on the depth chart.
Washington State
Wide Receivers
Shock of shocks, Washington State likes lots of receivers. However, it needed them. Last year was a little light on the pass catchers, and this recruiting season old coaching staff pulled in four 6-0ish, 170ish pound route-runners to throw onto the WR pile.
– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2020 All-Pac-12 Recruiting Team
– Recruiting Team Rankings
NEXT: What’s Missing From Each Team’s Recruiting Class
What’s Missing From Each Team’s Recruiting Class
Arizona
Defensive Backs
There isn’t a lot for anyone position, but just two true defensive backs were signed after just four were signed last season. With several Pac-12 teams loading up in the secondary, the Wildcats will need a lot more options in next year’s class.
Arizona State
Offensive Linemen
Just two were brought in, and neither one is a sure-thing to make a whole lot of noise. There isn’t much for the defensive line, but the offensive line was the lightest area coming off a year when five blockers were signed.
Cal
Offensive Linemen
It’s a big class for several positions, but not for the offensive front. 6-8 tackle prospect Everett Johnson is the lone blocker signed on, and that’s after the Bears signed just four offensive linemen in 2019. There will be plenty coming in next year.
Colorado
Defensive Backs
Here’s where Colorado has to hit really, really hard in next year’s class. It’s been a while since the program was able to load up for the secondary, and the two being brought in aren’t elite. Jaylen Striker, though, is a JUCO transfer who could be thrown into the mix right away.
Oregon
Wide Receivers
Kris Hutson has the talent to eventually be a starter and a big-time producer, but he’s it. The receiving corps is more than fine after a big haul of star talents last year, but there isn’t much there for the passing game this time around. That’s nitpicking in this amazing class.
Oregon State
Skill Players
The Beavers will have to find more defensive tackles – there were a few signed on last year – but they need more weapons going forward after picking up just one running back and one receiver. Only one prospect was signed for each position last year, too.
Stanford
Linebackers
The Cardinal will need them next year. Only two were signed in the 2019 class, and there weren’t any inked this year. With only one defensive end, and no linebackers, there isn’t much happening for the pass rush. However, two defensive tackles are coming in.
UCLA
Offensive Linemen
There’s not a whole lot for the offensive as a whole. There weren’t a ton brought in last season, and only two were signed this time around. The bigger problem is that the two need a whole lot of weight room time and development – they won’t be ready for a few years, if at all.
USC
Defensive Backs
There’s a reason – nine were signed last year. There wasn’t much of anything for the defense with no linebackers – that’s an issue with just two in the 2019 class – and three defensive linemen. The star power – and the live bodies – are missing from the offensive side.
Utah
Offensive Linemen
Utah never has a problem restocking the shelves for the offensive front, and that’s going to need to happen next year. Just two were brought in this season in a very, very light overall class of offensive prospects.
Washington
Defensive Linemen
There aren’t any outside of the team’s best signing, DE Sav’ell Smalls. Last year the Huskies loaded up on defensive tackle prospects, and they found a few ends, too. Next season has to be about fortifying the D line and also find a few more linebackers.
Washington State
Defensive Tackles
They’re tough to find, so you need to throw a bunch of live bodies at the problem. There weren’t any defensive tackles in last year’s class, and 260-pound Nathaniel James is the only one signed on this season.
– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– 2020 All-Pac-12 Recruiting Team
– Recruiting Team Rankings
NEXT: 2020 All-Pac-12 Recruiting Team
2020 Pac-12 All-Recruiting Team
These are the right answers. These are the guys everyone wanted, and these are going to be the ones who’ll get analyzed years from now as the booms or bust from the 2020 Pac-12 recruiting season. They’re the best and the brightest prospects from the early signing period, right on through the flips on National Signing Day.
OFFENSE
QB Jay Butterfield, Oregon
RB Ashaad Clayton, Colorado
RB DeaMonte Trayanum, Arizona State
WR Gary Bryant, USC
WR Johnny Wilson, Arizona State
TE Mark Redman,Washington
OT Myles Hinton, Stanford
OG Geirean Hatchett, Washington
C Myles Murao, Washington
OG Levi Rogers, Stanford
OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
DEFENSE
DE Van Fillinger, Utah
DT Jayson Jones, Oregon
DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Arizona State
DE Sav’ell Smalls, Washington
LB Justin Flowe, Oregon
LB Damian Sellers, UCLA
LB Noah Sewell, Oregon
CB Dontae Manning, Oregon
S Jacobe Covington, Washington
S Nate Ritchie, Utah
CB Clark Phillips, Utah
– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– Recruiting Team Rankings
NEXT: 2020 Pac-12 Recruiting Rankings
2020 Pac-12 Recruiting Rankings
No, really. How good were the Pac-12 classes this 2020 recruiting season?
1. Oregon
The defending Pac-12 champion just got a whole lot better. Once again, Mario Cristobal went after some of the best prospects in the country, and he landed his share. He might have missed out on quarterback superstar D.J. Uiagalelei – he’s off to Clemson – but getting linebackers Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell and defensive backs Dontae Manning was big. The secondary, defensive tackles, linebackers, and offensive linemen were all strong.
2. Washington
The peaceful transition of power made it an easy class to sign. It’s not quite as strong a recruiting season as 2019, and the cake was already baked before Jimmy Lake took over, but he was able to land big DB Jacobe Covington. It’s a good group of offensive linemen, the receives are solid, and overall, it’s a good enough class to stay ahead of the pack. Next year, though, Lake and the staff need to go big-game hunting to keep up with Oregon.
3. Stanford
As always, Stanford came up with a great recruiting class under David Shaw – never underestimate what it takes to play at this school. The offensive line is the star, but the receivers are solid, the defensive backs are promising, and there’s enough talent – taken from a national scope – to create one of the Pac-12’s best classes outside of Oregon.
4. Arizona State
Now that this is Herm Edwards’ program and he has had time to work, he’s starting to crush it on the recruiting trail. The master motivator was able to put together a very deep and very good class with a loaded group of receivers, a slew of excellent defensive back prospects, and enough linebackers to work into the depth chart mix early on.
5. Cal
There might not be any flashy superstar prospects, but there are a whole lot of very good ones with a big class of rock-solid players full of versatility and with bulk for a few spots. The secondary is loaded, getting three defensive tackles is a big deal – few Pac-12 teams are doing much for the interior – and there’s plenty of pop for the passing game.
6. Colorado
Mel Tucker did a solid job after getting a year to work. He and the Buff staff went big with a huge group of defensive ends. The passing game got better with a loaded group of pass catchers, nailed it with RB Ashamed Clayton, and upgraded the overall talent level for a program that’s used to getting by with a slew of okay prospects. This is the type of class to turn into a bit of a player in the Pac-12 South.
7. Utah
Not to damn with faint praise, but it’s a good class for Utah. Getting defensive ends a great group of defensive ends was big, the crop of defensive backs are outstanding, and the three linebackers signed should be factors down the road. There’s not much for the offense outside of RB Ty Jordan, but the defensive side just got a whopper of a class.
8. UCLA
Ehhhhhhhhhhh, whatever. At least it’s not a rough as USC’s class. Chip Kelly’s insistence on bringing in his guys to do what he needs had better start working, and the talent evaluation had better be right, because there’s not a whole lot of wow factor here. There’s a whole lot in place for the defensive back seven, but there’s not a whole lot for the offense outside of QB Parker McQuarrie an WR Logan Loya.
9. Washington State
It’s not like Mike Leach ever did a whole lot to crank up the recruiting, so the coaching change wasn’t that big a deal. It’s still a better class than the 2019 version, with a whole lot of receivers, pass rushers, and offensive linemen brought in fit the former system. Nick Rolovich and his staff did a nice job of scrambling to close five players on NSD – most notably, two good-looking defensive backs in Alphonse Oywak and Chau Smith.
10. Oregon State
Jonathan Smith and OSU will never get the elite prospects, but this was a strong class for the program with plenty of options for several spots. It’s a strength-in-numbers group with enough prospects for the secondary, linebacking corps, and offensive line to beef up the depth chart. Landing QB Chance Nolan helps the overall cause.
11. Arizona
Where’s the talent? Considering he’s had a few years to build up the recruiting base, Kevin Sumlin isn’t landing enough difference-makers to make much of a dent in the Pac-12 South. It’s a smallish class with a sprinkling of prospects for just about every position, but there isn’t the bulk talent for any one spot to make it a quantity-over-quality class.
12. USC
A complete and total disaster of a class, the uncertainty at head coach, all the young talent on the team, a big 2019 class, and changes among the assistants all contributed to this clunker. It’s one thing to only land 13 players – again, there wasn’t much room – but if you’re USC, they had better all be stars. Outside of WR Gary Bryant, Clay Helton just signed a bunch of guys.
– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2020 All-Pac-12 Recruiting Team
