Pac-10 Top 10 Players

SI Staff | Aug 15, 2008

Pac-10 Top 10 Players

Brandon Gibson, WR

AP

The conference's premier deep threat averaged 17.6 yards per catch in 2007. Gibson led the Pac-10 with 107.3 receiving yards per game.

Jake Locker, QB

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The dual-threat quarterback is the Pac-10's returning leader in rushing yards (986). Locker was inconsistent throwing the ball as a true freshman (2,062 yards, 14 touchdowns, 15 interceptions), but he should take his game to the next level in 2008.

Rudy Carpenter, QB

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Carpenter has started 31 straight games for Arizona State, racking up nearly 8,000 passing yards and 65 touchdown passes. He threw at least one touchdown pass in every game last season.

Zack Follett, LB

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This supreme playmaker should benefit from the Cal defense shifting to more of a 3-4 approach. Follett led Cal in sacks in each of the past two seasons.

Brian Cushing, OLB

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The flamboyant playmaker looks to enjoy a big senior season. Cushing will start for his third straight season -- a notable accomplishment for a player in such a loaded program.

Fili Moala, DT

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With the unbelievable talent on USC's defense, Moala sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, but his domination in the trenches is central to the Trojans' success. In his third year as a starter, Moala will have his way with Pac-10 offensive lines.

Patrick Chung, ROV

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This tackling machine led Oregon with 117 stops in 2007. Chung could have been a first-day selection in the '08 draft, but he chose to return for his senior season.

Taylor Mays, FS

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Mays is a massive (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) free safety who delivers bone-crushing hits on a regular basis. But don't let that size fool you, Mays boasts top-tier speed and can keep up with any receiver in the conference.

Alex Mack, C

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Mack is arguably the best center in America, having earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors in each of the last two seasons. He headlines an offensive line that has allowed just 24 sacks in the last two seasons combined (the third-lowest total nationally).

Rey Maualuga, LB

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Maualuga may be the biggest hitter in the college game. He is a complete linebacker who excels in coverage and run-stopping. Former Trojan Keith Rivers was the first linebacker taken in the 2008 NFL draft, and Maualuga could duplicate this feat next April.