With just under two months left until training camp starts we are going to look at the 2nd installment of the top 40 returning players in the Pac-12. The league is loaded with offense, especially quarterbacks, so get ready to see a lot of players in this top 40 from the offensive side. However, do not overlook some of the defensive talent in this conference as well. The Pac-12 may have two of the best defensive players in the whole country, so there may not be much depth, but there is star power.
In Week 2 of this installment we will look at players 30-21. This is where we will start to see some of the offensive skill players appear on the list including four QBs and two WRs, but there are still some very good defensive players that we will see.
Top 40 Returning Players Pa-12 Players (30-21)
30. Chris Harper, WR, California
This junior wide receiver is the top returning WR for Cal in 2014. The Bears have a trio of solid receivers, but Chris Harper is the best of the bunch. Harper had a solid sophomore season compiling 70 catches for 852 yards and 5 touchdowns. In 2014 Harper and stud sophomore QB Jared Goff will look to win some games in Berkley. It was a rough 2013, but Chris Harper hopes to help Cal get more than one win.
29. Jake Brendel, C, UCLA
This redshirt junior is coming off a 2013 season that saw him become one of the leaders on the UCLA line. He started all 13 games and was the team co-captain, as well as, honorable mention all-conference. In 2014 Jake Brendel will look to prove he is one of the best centers in the country and people are starting to take notice as he is on the preseason Rimington spring watch list.
28. Jonathan McKnight, CB, Arizona
Being overshadowed by a high-powered offense last season, this redshirt senior just performed and proved to be one of the better secondary players in the conference. Jonathan McKnight started all 13 games at cornerback and recorded 54 tackles to go along with 8 pass break ups and 2 interceptions. He may have been overshadowed last season, but this season he will be Arizona’s best and most well known player.
27. Sefo Liufau, QB, Colorado
Colorado is in major rebuilding mode, but the Buffs turnaround may be complete this season because of their sophomore QB. Sefo Liufau was thrown into the fire his freshman season and came out a looking like a star. He completed almost 60 percent of his passes for 1,779 yards and 12 touchdowns over eight games. Liufau looked even better during spring ball and should be ready to step into the elite category with all of the other great Pac-12 QBs.
26. Travis Wilson, QB, Utah
This junior QB enjoyed a productive sophomore season numbers wise before suffering a season ending concussion Nov.9 against Arizona St. Wins have been hard to come by for the Utes lately, but Travis Wilson is a QB who can win some football games. He is able to be a threat through the air and the ground. He totaled 2,213 yards and 21 total touchdowns in the nine games he played last season. If he is healthy enough to play this year Utah has a chance to compete in the Pac-12.
25. Dres Anderson, WR, Utah
This redshirt senior is coming off a 1,000-yard season that saw him garner honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors and is also, #26 on this list, Travis Wilson’s top target. Dres Anderson enjoyed a phenomenal junior campaign that saw him record 1,002 receiving yards, as well as, become one of the nations top receivers. He was fourth in the Pac-12 in receiving yards per game (83.5), tied for first in the nation with 7 receptions of 50 yards or longer, and led the Pac-12, 12th in the nation, in yards per catch (18.91). Look for Anderson to be one of the better WR in the nation in 2014.
24. Connor Halliday, QB, Washington St.
This redshirt senior is coming off an amazing junior season that saw him set multiple Pac-12 and Washington St. school records. Connor Halliday set a WSU single-season record with 4,597 passing yards, second-most in Pac-12 history, went 449-for-714, both WSU and Pac-12 single-season records and tossed 34 touchdown passes, tying Ryan Leaf for most in WSU single-season history. Halliday was named one of 12 players to watch in 2014 by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. If Halliday can make smart decisions with the football this season he could enjoy a banner season in 2014.
23. A.J. Tarpley, LB, Stanford
This 5th year senior is coming off an All-Pac-12 honorable mention during a campaign when he was 2nd on the team with 93 tackles. This season A.J. Tarpley will rise to stardom now that he is the #1 LB on the depth chart. No longer will he be behind Shayne Skov and Trent Murphy and this is the season that the conference and nation will realize that Tarpley is a great linebacker. Stanford seems to grow defenders off trees and Tarpley is no exception.
22. Hayes Pullard, LB, USC
This redshirt senior is coming off an All-Pac-12 second team selection, as well as, a Phil Steele All-Pac-12 first team recognition. Hayes Pullard enjoyed a very successful 2013 season where he led the Trojans with 94 tackles, to go along with his 1 interception and 6 pass deflections. Look for Hayes Pullard to be a top 5-6 defensive player in the Pac-12 this season.
21. Jared Goff, QB, California
This sophomore QB enjoyed a very productive freshman campaign that could have been even better if his offensive line was able to keep him up. Jared Goff was sacked 35 last season, but was still able to set numerous records. Goff broke Cal single-season records for passing yards (3,508), total offense (3,446), passes completed (320) and passes attempted (531) as a true freshman in 2013. He also threw 18 touchdown passes to tie for 10th on Cal’s all-time single-season list. In addition, Goff broke a single-game school record with 504 yards passing against Washington State and is the second quarterback in Pac-12 history to throw for 450 yards or more in a game three times. Look for an improved Cal offensive line this season and an even better Jared Goff.
This list includes a lot of names that fans, and more importantly, NFL scouts already know. They were productive players in the conference last season and will look to take the next step and be the best player at their respective positions. Look for huge numbers, a lot of accolades, and a lot of team wins out of all 10 of these players. For all of the reasons listed above, this is why 10 players made the Top 40 Returning Players for the 2014 season.
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