Pac-12 football: The top NFL Draft prospects for 2012

Oliver Graham

3:30 p.m. update: No more posts today I have some other work-related matters to pursue and the Hotline will be dark tomorrow (Friday) because Im on furlough. Ill be back over the weekend or, at the latest, Monday morning with an item on whether expansion was worthwhile financially to the conference. (I know what Larry Scott said on the topic. But Ive asked independent industry analysts to run the numbers.)

1:20 p.m. update: Fox Sports Jeff Goodman reporting that Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams is retiring. I wonder if Terps will call Sean Miller, and if hell listen.

10:55 a.m. update: Oregon fans: This is a list of rising seniors only, with the exception of Luck/Burfict/James. Read the criteria in the introduction But thanks for proving my point about your righteous indignation.

Note: This was initially scheduled to be posted on the Hotline earlier this week, but I depayed because of the big news on the TV front. Ill have more on the media deal in the next 24 hours.

Welcome to the Hotlines annual NFL Draft look-ahead, a ranking of the top Pac-12 prospects for next April and exercise in semi-futility.

(Here are last years projections, if youre interested bad miss on Cals Cameron Jordan but otherwise not embarrassing. USCs Tyron Smith wasnt included because I didnt expect him to enter the draft.)

The conference looks to be light on elite offensive and defensive linemen but should be loaded at safety in 2011, with four early-to-mid round prospects.

The league is also well stocked at quarterback, but one of the best (USCs Matt Barkley) isnt included this is a ranking of the top rising seniors, with three exceptions:

Stanford QB Andrew Luck, who is on track to earn his degree next spring and will almost assuredly enter the draft as the top overall pick and Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict and Oregon TB LaMichael James, because I cant see either player staying in school one nanosecond past the end of the season.

The rankings are based on player talent and the value of the position, because obviously we have no idea about the draft order and team needs.

Just missed the cut, due to injury-related uncertainty or other reasons: Stanford WR Chris Owusu, Arizona State CB Omar Bolden, Cal S Sean Cattouse, Washington DT Alameda Taamu, OSU TE Joe Halahuni, Washington WR Jermaine Kearse, Arizona CB Trevin Wade, USC RB Marc Tyler, ASU C Garth Gerhart and Stanford TE Coby Fleener.

Here we go

1. Stanford QB Andrew Luck: Combination of head, arm, legs, genes, production and position value make him the best prospect to come out of the conference in ages better than Matt Leinart, better than Carson Palmer, better than Joey Harrington and better, even, than Aaron Rodgers. (Doesnt mean Luck will necessarily be a better pro than Rodgers, but hes a better prospect.)

2. Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict: If the maturity he has shown this spring continues through the fall, Burfict will be the most dominant defensive player in the conference one of the best in the nation, too and a top-15 pick.

3. Arizona QB Nick Foles: Hes not an elite talent, but good QB prospects have 3x the value of great players at other positions, as well saw in Thursdays first round.

4. Oregon TB LaMichael James: Heisman contender, fabulous player, terrific speed and very good between the tackles for a 185-pounder. (The fact that I didnt call him a cross between Gale Sayers, Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith? Queue the outrage from Eugene.)

5. USC LB Chris Galippo: I know, I know: He hasnt lived up the hype. But hes getting closer, and hell test well in the pre-draft workouts. Very, very well.

6. Colorado OG Ryan Miller: The leagues top interior line prospect (among rising seniors). But guards arent usually valued as highly as OTs or other positions.

7. USC DE Armond Armstead: Ranking assumes he doesnt have further issues with the chest pains. If healthy, hes one of the most talented DL in the country.

8. Stanford SS Delano Howell: Hes tough and physical and will have as prosperous an NFL career as ex-Cardinal safety O.J. Atogwe, although he wont marry Jim Harbaughs daughter.

(Thats a joke! For those who dont know: Atogwe is marrying Jill Singletary in a few weeks.)

9. Arizona WR Juron Criner: Curious to see how he tests, but the playmaking skills are top tier whether he runs a 4.51 or 4.61.

10. UCLA SS Tony Dye: One of the few bright spots for the Bruins, who have produced many elite DBs over the decades.

11. Oregon State FS Lance Mitchell: Love his game and thought about slotting him above Howell he has the potential to raise his stock considerably next fall if he stays healthy.

12. Oregon TE David Paulson: Slightly better prospect than Stanfords Fleener.

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