The Pac-12 was turned on its head a year ago when like Oregon, UCLA and Arizona State all faltered while Washington, Washington State and Colorado rose to the top of their respective divisions. The theme of uncertainty isn’t as prevalent with USC and Washington expected to lead their respective divisions this coming season. Both teams will be relying on talented incoming freshman to make immediate impacts with the Trojans relying on a star defensive tackle while the Huskies lean on a talented freshman receiver to fill a void. Here is a look at the most intriguing freshman on PAC-12 teams heading in to the 2017 season.
DT: Marlon Tuipulotu, USC Trojans
Tuipulotu’s arrival at USC has reminded a number of college football experts of Ed Oliver’s arrival at Houston in 2016. It took only half of one spring practice for Tuipulotu to demand a place on the Trojans’ first-string unit and he isn’t likely to give it up anytime soon. The 6’3’’, 293-pound Tuipulotu has the potential to contribute right away up front on a talented USC defensive line. There is plenty of intriguing freshman players in the PAC-12 this season and Tuipulotu might be at the top of that list.
WR: Ty Jones, Washington Huskies
The Huskies have plenty of capable veterans on both sides of the football. However, wide receiver could be the position where we see a top freshman prospect break through with a big season. Washington will be forced to replace John Ross III as their No. 1 wide receiver and their depth at the position isn’t incredible. Jones doesn’t have elite speed but he is a smooth route-runner that knows how to create separation and he could contribute at a high level right away. The fact that the Huskies are relying on unproven depth at the positions increases the likelihood that Jones contributes at a high level right away.
CB: Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon Ducks
A number of experts have picked Oregon as a team that could surprise in the Pac-12 in 2017. While they undoubtedly have some intriguing talent they are lacking experience and will need some of their young stars to step up and produce from the outset in order for that to happen. Lenoir is an obvious x-factor as the top recruit for the Ducks in 2017. Fellow freshman Thomas Graham has impressed this spring and Oregon is expecting a similar surge from Lenoir. The Ducks might end up leaning on two capable freshmen at the cornerback position this season so it will be interesting to see how things play out in their defensive secondary.
LB: Fa’avae Fa’avae, Washington State Cougars
Fa’avae Fa’avae already earned top honors for incoming Pac-12 freshman with the best name. Now he will need to prove he can make an immediate impact on the Cougars defenses. Fa’avae is an efficient linebacker that can make plays from sideline to sideline and if he is fully recovered from his ACL injury then he could start at Washington State this coming season.
The Cougars are coming off a fantastic season where they finished 8-5 overall and 7-2 in conference play. They did end up finishing up the year on a three-game losing streak, which is quite disappointing. They lost to No. 10 Colorado, No. 5 Washington and Minnesota in the Holiday Bowl. A lot of people are wondering if the Cougars can take that next step next season.
CB: Chris Miller, Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes turned a lot of heads when they finished atop the Pac-12 South division last season. They are certainly going to have a tough time staying there. USC will present a tough challenge, while Colorado has to overcome its own losses including a big hit in the defensive secondary. The Buffaloes lost three talented players in Chidobe Awuzie, Tedric Thompson and Ahkello Witherspoon. However, they do have a talented incoming freshman they could lean on in Miller. Miller is a speedy 5’11’’ cornerback that is ready to start and should make an immediate impact in his freshman season. He might not earn a starting job right away, but Miller will provide some much-needed depth at a key position for Colorado.
Click here to bet on the college football futures for the 2017 college football season right now. DSI will have all of the latest lines, spreads and props for this year’s action!
