Moving right along, we head cross country to the Pac-10, a conference fresh off a 5-0 bowl season.
Note: These look aheads are intended to whet the appetite of the fantasy owner certain to suffer college football withdrawal. A great deal can change between now and next week, let alone months down the road.
Summer of 2008 saw the Pac-10 looking to find replacements for its top three rushers from the season before. Justin Forsett, Jonathan Stewart, and Yvenson Bernard all left huge voids, but each team had different ways to combat these losses back in August. Cal knew it had the talented Jahvid Best ready to emerge as the number one back, but he had serious injury concerns. Oregon’s Jeremiah Johnson would have to overcome some injury history of his own, and there was a chance he’d have to share carries with a talented JUCO in LeGarrette Blount. Oregon State’s carries were wide open. We were certain that someone would emerge, and Ryan McCants seemed like a decent bet. Then he struggled in the opener and a freshman named Jacquizz Rodgers took the gig and didn’t look back. And suddenly the leader of a new bumper crop of running backs had arrived.
There’s plenty of young Pac-10 talent that will soon become known to the casual fan. Of course the experienced college fantasy football diehard realizes that when the time comes to draft a young flyer, the conference out west is one of the first places to look.
2008 All-Pac-10 Fantasy Team * returning for 2009
QB: Mark Sanchez
RB: Jahvid Best*
RB: Jacquizz Rodgers*
WR: James Rodgers*
WR: Sammie Stroughter
TE: Rob Gronkowski*
K: Jason Bondzio
D: USC Trojans
Southern Cal Trojans, 12-1
Fantasy starters lost: QB Mark Sanchez, WR Patrick Turner, K David Buehler
Returning: RB Stafon Johnson, RB Joe McKnight, WR Ronald Johnson, WR Damian Williams
Looking to Emerge: TE Blake Ayles, QB Mitch Mustain, QB Aaron Corp
O-line outlook: Only guard Jeff Byers is lost on the line. Everyone else returns.
D Returning Starters: 4
Look Back
Twelve wins, a starting quarterback that looks for a camera at every opportunity, and the head man jumping around giving high fives in Pasadena were once again on display in Los Angeles in 2008. And again the Trojans displayed such offensive balance that fantasy owners were, for the most part, forced to look elsewhere. Mark Sanchez was good. Damian Williams was impressive, and Ronald Johnson showed more flashes of his immense talent. But not one running back was able to rush for 700 yards or double-digit scores, even though three are capable of doing so. The Trojan offense: you can look but you better not touch.
Will be missed next season
Mark Sanchez’s last-minute decision to enter the NFL draft will likely be felt on fantasy draft day in August. One less top-flight quarterback on the board will probably cause owners to get a little antsier once the top three quarterbacks are chosen.
It wasn’t necessarily Sanchez’s 2008 that led to such optimism about 2009. Rather it was the expectation that the offense would play a greater role following some defensive losses to the NFL. Instead Sanchez moves on and the USC offense remains college fantasy football’s forbidden fruit: so talented and pretty, but innocent fantasy owners that cast their lot with Trojans will eventually be drowning their sorrows.
In addition to Sanchez the Trojans say goodbye to Patrick Turner, a receiver who turned in a very nice senior campaign, catching 45 balls for 667 yards and ten scores. At most programs the departure of a ten score receiver would be cause for concern; at USC this is cause for a big yawn. Damian Williams and Ronald Johnson are more than capable of putting up huge fantasy numbers in 2009.
Senior kicker David Buehler moves on as well, so the Trojans will need to look far and wide for someone else to kick all those extra points.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
It should be a quarterback. It’s just hard to say which one. It’d be easy enough if it were going to be a battle between Arkansas refugee Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp. But those that followed the Trojans in 08 know that Pete Carroll switched the quarterback depth chart behind Sanchez on an hourly basis. And this makes incoming recruit Matt Barkley (number one QB recruit in country) a very interesting prospect.
So because we can’t name a starting quarterback I’ll take the easy way out and go with Stafon Johnson. Joe McKnight’s season o' injuries allowed Johnson the chance to emerge along with C.J. Gable. Johnson has paid his dues. He overcame a disappointing freshman year, and following two years of hard work he seems poised for a great senior season.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Running backs keep leaving USC, and Marc Tyler continues to climb the depth chart. Tyler suffered a broken leg during his senior year of high school, and he sat out 2007 in order to get it right. He, like every other USC back, will likely only put up enough consistent numbers to see starting lineups in Pac-10 leagues. But he’s going to see carries, and a handful of touchdowns are a real possibility.
Freshman Flyer
Ho Hum, the Trojans bring in another class full of All-Americans. Unfortunately, most of the blue chippers will play defense. They will welcome he aforementioned Mr. Barkley, and if you are in a keeper league the gunslinger from Santa Ana is an obvious must-ave.
Want a true “Freshman Flyer”? We’ll give you two: athlete Patrick Hall and kicker Jake Harfman. Hall is projected by many as a safety, but Carroll will try him out at running back first. Obviously he must see something special in the young man if they are willing to throw him into the mix with the 20 other backs they have. As far as Harfman is concerned, he’ll have to beat out Jordan Congdon, but David Buehler graduates and if USC is burning one of their scholarships on a kicker, it tells me he has a shot to kick for one of the top offenses in the country. Just keep an eye on these two; that’s all I’m saying.
Oregon Ducks, 10-3
Fantasy starters lost: RB Jeremiah Johnson, WR Jaison Williams, K Matt Evensen, Terence Scott
Returning: QB Jeremiah Masoli, RB LeGarrette Blount, TE Ed Dickson, WR Jeff Maehl
Looking to Emerge: WR Jamere Holland, RB LaMichael James
O-line prospects: Three starters lost, including center Max Unger. There will be some early season offensive line issues.
D Returning Starters: 4
Look Back
All things considered, there weren’t many seasons as impressive as Oregon’s. Jeremiah Masoli was fifth, yes fifth, on the quarterback depth chart during fall camp. Then everyone got hurt, and the JUCO signal caller teamed with Jeremiah Johnson and another JUCO, LeGarrette Blount, to lead a devastating running attack. And when the smoke cleared we had a quarterback with a very bright fantasy future and two running backs that combined for 28 scores. Whether or not Eugene legend Mike Bellotti is back or Chip Kelly is calling the shots next year this team’s offense will remain one of the nation’s most exciting.
Will be missed next season
Jeremiah Johnson emerged from Jonathan Stewart’s shadow to overcome injury woes and finish his career on a high note. Running the ball 156 times, Johnson averaged an incredible 6.9 yards per carry on his way to 1082 yards and 12 scores. His numbers could be a little inconsistent, but he did score in nine of his thirteen games.
Wide receiver Jaison Williams moves on as well, and while his dropped passes and struggles to produce consistently drove owners nuts, he was a key component to the Ducks’ offense. Yet there is plenty of wide receiver talent in Eugene to minimize the impact of Williams’ departure.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
My boy Alex was all over LeGarrette Blount last summer. My colleague (who has an unhealthy affinity for recruiting video and spring practice reports) was LeGarrette this and LeGarrette that to anyone who’d listen. And then I saw what he was talking about. Blount is a punishing runner who, as he displayed in the Holiday Bowl, can jump over defenders and run a long way.
There was a wee bit of concern that Blount could be thinking about Sunday, but the deadline has come and gone. And now we may have the nation’s top fantasy back on our hands. Oregon will spread them out, and then give the rock to their wrecking ball and watch would-be tacklers tossed aside.
2008 may have just been an appetizer for a feast of yardage and scores on the 2009 menu.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
The Ducks have been fans of two-back attacks, with one fella running by people and the other running through people. With Johnson’s departure there is an opening for the former, and we’re putting our money on redshirt freshman LaMichael James. James sat out this season, and he’ll need shoulder surgery this winter. But if healthy this speedster may emerge as the home run back. The Texarkana native can really scoot.
Freshman Flyer
The Ducks currently have only one skill position verbal commitment, JUCO WR Lavasier Tuinei. They also have two kicker commitments. Check back in February.
Oregon State Beavers, 9-4
Fantasy starters lost: WR Sammie Stroughter, WR Shane Morales
Returning: RB Jacquizz Rodgers, WR James Rodgers, QB Lyle Moevao, K Justin Kahut
Looking to Emerge: TE Brady Camp
O-line prospects: Losing LT Andy Levitre will really sting, and LG Adam Speer will be hard to replace as well.
D Returning Starters: 3
Look Back
Opening at Stanford and Penn State isn’t easy, and it appeared that Mike Riley’s boys would not recover from a 0-2 start. Then the Beavers reeled off nine wins in their remaining 11 games, highlighted by an upset of USC in Corvallis. The only other losses came at the hands of Utah and Oregon, two of the nation’s best. The formula was simple: get the ball in the hands of someone with a surname of Rodgers, and get the hell out of his way. Lyle Moevao did a nice job of managing games on most occasions, and winning a few more when called upon.
Will be missed next season
One of college football's best stories in 2008 was the return of Oregon State wide receiver Sammie Stroughter. The gifted receiver/returner saw his 2007 campaign essentially lost due to a very rough personal year, and he was able to return to the tune of 64-952-7 in 2008.
Sammie Stroughter is a lot like Penn State’s Derrick Williams. Each is a captain and spiritual leader, and many casual fans will presume that there are talented guys ready to step right in. Replacing these type of players is often easier said than done.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Jacquizz Rodgers’ went from intriguing little scat back to star rather quickly. We took notice when he ran for 99 yards and two scores against Penn State and then followed that up with 110 yards and two scores against Hawaii. But it was the following Thursday night, in the September win over USC, that Jacquizz Rodgers became a fantasy back to build around.
It wasn’t just his 186 yards rushing and two scores; it was Rodgers’ ability to withstand 37 carries and the punishment that concluded each run. This performance was amidst a stretch that would see Rodgers carry the ball more than 20 times in nine straight games.
Yes, the separated shoulder that held this freshman out of the Civil War and Sun Bowl should cause concern, and it may even cause owners to drop Rodgers down a few slots on their draft boards. But this back has an ability seen in other great backs of years past: a knack for avoiding the truly big hit. Repeating or surpassing his 1500 yards from scrimmage and 12 score freshman performance seems a very good bet for 2009.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Someone will need to step in for Sammie Stroughter and emerge as the receiving compliment to James Rodgers. We like this to be Darrell Catchings. The junior-to-be has shown flashes, and now he’ll get the opportunity to shine. Still, this offense runs through the Brothers Rodgers, so at best Catchings will be a spot fantasy starter.
Freshman Flyer
It will be impossible to top what Quizz did last year as true freshman, and we just don’t see lighting striking twice for the Beavers. However if you are looking for a long-term project, the Beavers are set to bring in a trio of quarterbacks. Dax Dilbeck is the one that intrigues us the most. An excellent read option quarterback, Dilbeck has incredible open field running ability. We’ll need to see more out of his arm before we can determine if he will make it into the QB rotation in 2010.
California Golden Bears, 9-4
Fantasy starters lost: QB Nate Longshore, TE Cameron Morrah
Returning: RB Jahvid Best, RB Shane Vereen, WR Nyan Boateng
Looking to Emerge: QB Kevin Riley or QB Brock Mansion
O-line prospects: Young LT Mitchell Schwartz is a stud. Bye bye to center Alex Mack and RB Noris Malele, and these will hurt. Talent is waiting in the wings.
D Returning Starters: 8
Look Back
The Tedford train continues to roll right along. The Bears opened the season with a win over Michigan State and concluded the year with an Emerald Bowl win over Miami. And each game proved a microcosm of the season: A speedy, mature defense making big plays, and an offense overcoming lackluster quarterback play thanks to the thrilling ground game (led by Jahvid Best).
The defense, led by a fast, veteran linebacking corps was key to the nine wins, and the Best/Vereen duo made enough big plays. And this was supposed to be a rebuilding year…
Will be missed next season
Center Alex Mack is a very, very big loss. But the fact that no real skill position talent is lost should cause concern to Cal’s Pac-10 foes.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Jahvid Best’s 2,247 yards from scrimmage in 2008 set a Cal record, and this speedster is fully capable of an encore performance in 2009. Still only in the season opener did Best carry the ball more than twenty times, and the impressive running of Shane Vereen should cause concern for owners.
Jahvid Best’s final regular season game was against Washington, and in this contest he ran for 311 yards and four scores. Now for a second I want you to imagine that Tyrone Willingham remembered that recruiting was key to winning, or that the Washington Huskies decided to go the bar instead of their season finale (as I often did when I was dumb enough to play softball a few years back). I know you can't imagine the game wasn't played because, well, it was. But let's say that UW wasn't on the schedule.
Suddenly Jahvid Best is staring at just over 1,000 yards rushing with ten scores, which are very good numbers, but not the type that lead to all of the hype Best will see leading into 2009. He’ll be a threat to break loose every time he touches the ball, but he’ll also leave owners sick when he puts up seven fantasy points against Colorado State.
Jahvid Best is like cole slaw. When he’s good he can really add something to your weekend. When he’s bad you’ll want to vomit.
UPDATE:Cameron Morrah decided to declare for the NFL draft, and this didn't come out until days after the deadlline.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention tight end Cameron Morrah. The senior-to-be caught a touchdown every third time he caught the ball. Prostitutes don’t score with such frequency. Morrah, who only caught 26 passes on the way to eight scores, scored in eight different games. But like Best, we do have our concerns about this studly touchdown maker.
Increased wide receiver production spot will likely result in less emphasis placed on the tight end spot. Hell, even if Morrah emerges as the best tight end in the country and catches 70 balls the odds of him scoring eight times again aren’t great.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
It’s going to be a wide receiver, and it should be either sophomore Michael Calvin or sophomore Marvin Jones. Both are about 6’2” and both came to Berkeley with nice credentials. Calvin will need to recover from an ACL injury that cost him a good portion of the season, and Marvin Jones will have to improve on his one reception…for the season.
It’s tough to bank on a Cal receiver. Even DeSean Jackson struggled to meet expectations in the passing game. For all the credit Tedford has received as a “quarterback guru” his team’s style of play is more comparable to a Big Ten team than a Pac-10 squad, thus making his wide receivers fantasy players to avoid.
Freshman Flyer
If there is one honor that always catches our eye it's when a player is invited to the Elite 11 Quarterback camp as a senior. The camp has churned out countless top collegiate quarterbacks over the years. One member of the 2009 camp was Cal verbal commit Allan Bridgford. Keep an eye on this youngster.
The Bears are also set to welcome RB Dasarte Yarnway into the fold. Both Yarnway and Bridgford should see their way on fantasy rosters by 2010, possibly sooner.
Arizona Wildcats, 8-5
Fantasy starters lost: QB Willie Tuitama, WR Michael Thomas, K Jason Bondzio
Returning: TE Rob Gronkowski, RB Nicolas Grigsby, RB Keola Antolin, WR Delashaun Dean
Looking to Emerge QB Nick Foles or QB Matt Scott, K Alex Zendejas
O-line prospects: LT Eben Britton leaves early for the NFL. RT James Tretheway and G Joe Longacre also move on. Solid depth looking to step in, but there will be growing pains.
D Returning Starters: 7
Look Back
It didn’t look good for Mike Stoops. The vultures were circling following an early-season loss to New Mexico. Then the offense took off, and the four conference losses were games in which the Wildcats competed well, highlighted by a seven-point loss to USC. Throw in a bowl win over BYU and the coach will be back for at least another season.
Arizona’s 2008 saw further maturation from the Sonny Dykes’ offense, and it’ll receive its real test in 2009 when the Wildcats are breaking in an inexperienced signal caller.
Will be missed next season:
Willie Tuitama holds nearly every Arizona passing record, and he ended his career on a high note. Two years ago there were questions about his ability to overcome concussion issues. Then he had to deal with a change in scheme. And Tuitama persevered to have a very nice career. And he’ll take wide receiver Michael Thomas with him.
Both losses will be hard for Arizona to overcome. The wide open system that the Wildcats employ relies on a quarterback making the right decision and a wide receiver being on the same page; Arizona’s new quarterback and top wide receiver will need to mature in a hurry.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Despite Nicolas Grigsby’s fumble issues he concluded his up and down season with 1200 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns. And he seems this close to emerging on the national scene. He’ll have to fend off Keola Antolin, who scored ten touchdowns of his own. But the guess here is that Grigsby grows stronger from his struggles and becomes one of the nation’s top backs.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Sophomore wide receiver Juron Criner seems to have a very bright future, but his success will depend on the maturation of next season’s signal caller.
Many have already anointed Matt Scott as the replacement for Willie Tuitama, and to those people I say don’t sell Nick Foles short. Foles, who transferred from Michigan State thanks primarily to Keith Nichol’s transfer to East Lansing, is a strong-armed quarterback who will put Arizona in the enviable position of having two potential stars battle it out for the right to lead the team.
Freshman Flyer
Running back Daniel Jenkins is one we will profile in more detail in our recruiting roundup in February, so naturally he will top our list for the Wildcats. He’s not a large lad, but he is loaded with ability. And this ability will be hard to ignore.
Arizona State Sun Devils, 5-7
Fantasy starters lost: QB Rudy Carpenter, WR Michael Jones, RB Keegan Herring
Returning: K Thomas Weber, RB Dimitri Nance, WR Kyle Williams, WR Kerry Taylor, WR Chris McGaha
Looking to Emerge: A starting quarterback
O-line prospects: Paul Fanaika moves on. Rest of the line returns and is very young.
D Returning Starters: 6
Look Back
The loss to UNLV kicked off a six-game losing skid that only the two teams from Washington could stop. Rudy Carpenter took more shots than the losing fighter in a Rocky movie, and the offense could never get rolling. Carpenter’s junior and senior numbers were not what many expected, but it’s hard to throw with pinpoint accuracy when large men are beating the piss out of you.
The Sun Devils appear to be a program on the decline and it’s going to take some surprise performances for Erickson’s boys to reenter the upper echelon of the conference. This program will likely be one for fantasy owners to ignore.
Will be missed next season
Rudy Carpenter departs as one of the program’s greatest and toughest quarterbacks, and he has the numbers and scars to prove it.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Thomas Weber had a difficult time following up his Groza Award season of a season ago. Like 2007 Weber attempted 25 field goals. However he missed five more field goals in 2008, and thanks in large part to an offense that didn’t score as many touchdowns, Weber saw his points drop from 118 to 86.
Still Weber is likely to be one of the nation’s top placekickers in 2009, though owners should proceed with caution because the Sun Devils will have a devil of a time finding the endzone.
Expect the new signal caller to lean on senior wide receiver Chris McGaha. He was banged up last year and this played a big part in his lackluster receiving total of 500 yards. A healthy senior season and McGaha will become a solid option in Pac-10 leagues.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Danny Sullivan, Jack Elway or incoming freshie Brock Osweiler will emerge as the starting quarterback. Sullivan has the experience and Elway the pedigree, while Osweiler may have the most talent. This will be a quarterback battle to watch, but it’s hard seeing any of the three putting up fantasy-worthy numbers.
However a young quarterback often equates to an emphasis on the running game, and Arizona State has a couple of intriguing backs to send out there. Dimitri Nance has the experience while Ryan Bass may have the most talent. Split carries is the probable scenario.
Freshman Flyer
There’s a quarterback battle on the horizon and a very talented quarterback, Brock Osweiler, is coming to Tempe. The 6’8” quarterback will get a chance to see the field in a hurry, though he’s at best a solid keeper prospect.
If you’re set at quarterback for a while and hell bent on taking a Sun Devil then look to incoming wide receiver Kemonte Bateman (redshirted in 08) or running back Jamal Miles.
Stanford Cardinal, 5-7
Fantasy starters lost: RB Anthony Kimble, K Aaron Zagory
Returning: RB Toby Gerhart, QB Tavita Pritchard, WR Doug Baldwin, WR Richard Sherman
Looking to Emerge: TE Coby Fleener
O-line prospects: Left tackle Ben Muth and center Alex Fletcher move on, and they leave big shoes to fill.
D Returning Starters: 3
Look Back
Though Stanford showed definite growth, there still is a great deal of work to do in order to compete in the tougher-by-the-minute Pac-10. And fantasy owners will be looking for a more explosive offense. Only three games saw the Cardinal post more than 30 points, and two of these came at the expense of those hapless schools in Washington.
Jim Harbaugh is showing himself to be the ideal man for this rebuilding project, though his off-season shenanigans cause us to wonder if he sees himself in this role for any more than one season at a time.
Will be missed next season
Anthony Kimble was expected to play a key role in 2008, and he did, gaining 837 yards from scrimmage while scoring seven times. Kimble was a steady force in a young program, and he’ll certainly be missed. But Toby Gerhart’s emergence in 2008 definitely minimizes the loss of Kimble in 2009.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Here’s what we wrote about Toby Gerhart last June:
2008 Player Preview (June 2008)
Now here's an interesting fellow. Gerhart is a damn fine football and baseball player, and he has the ability to get the tough yards. He only played in one game before an injury led to a medical redshirt. His nickname is "Touchdown Toby" and this brings to mind another Stanford great, "Touchdown Tommy" Vardell. Drafters will forget about this guy, however he could come from nowhere, steal Kimble's job, and become a serious force.
Now before we get sore from patting ourselves on the back, keep in mind that we talked the talk, but when it came time to shoot Gerhart up our draft board we cowered like scared little fraidy cats, and threw him in the “Other” file. And then Gerhart did just what we said he might.
Gerhart emerged (19-147-2) in the season opener against Oregon State and he didn’t stop running. He saw more than 15 carries in nine contests and ended the season with 1250 yards from scrimmage and 15 scores. He was the focal point in 2008, and he’ll be the focal point in 2009.
Toby Gerhart is the one sure thing on the Stanford offense and he’s a top national back...provided he doesn’t become a major league baseball bonus baby. Toby Gerhart is one hell of a baseball prospect who posseses a great deal of speed and power. However he did only hit .217 last season, so he’ll need a huge breakout year on the diamond. If this does happen he may be on a minor league bus by summer.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Richard Sherman’s 2008 campaign was cut short by knee surgery and all signs point to the Cardinal wide receiver returning in 2009. He’s talented and he should anchor the receiving group. Still it’s difficult to bank on any Stanford wide receiver due to the inconsistent quarterback play over the last two years. And this brings me to...
Andrew Luck is likely to give Tavita Pritchard a run for his money. We thought Luck might push for the starting gig as a true freshman, but the former Elite 11 quarterback was reshirted. We think Pritchard has had his chance, and it may be time for Harbaugh to entrust the offense to one of the most acclaimed quarterbacks to set foot in Palo Alto.
Whowever emerges at quarterback will likely be a keeper prospect. This offense runs through Gerhart, and no quarterback on the roster is going to change this in 2009.
Freshman Flyer
This is shaping up to be one of the best Stanford Cardinal recruiting classes in the last decade. Strong-armed quarterback Josh Nunes headlines the list. Nunes will be joined by a trio of talented wide receivers in Jamal Patterson, Jemari Roberts and Drew Terrell. They’ll also have powerback Stephan Taylor to watch run. This quintuplet of recruits will be looked to early; whether or not they are ready may be irrelevant.
UCLA Bruins, 4-8
Fantasy starters lost: RB Kahlil Bell
Returning: QB Kevin Craft, TE Ryan Moya
Looking to Emerge: WR Terrence Austin, QB Nick Crissman
O-line prospects: C Micah Reed is gone, but expect major improvement from this unit in 09.
D Returning Starters: 7
Look Back
Well it started on a high note. The primetime win over Tennessee, with Kevin Craft rebounding from a horrific first half, had UCLA fans dreaming big. And then reality struck. BYU came in and took no prisoners, and it took Washington State, slump buster extraordinaire, to get the Bruins to 2-3. When it was all done the Bruins were 4-8, and they had been held to ten or fewer points on five separate occasions.
Will be missed next season
Kahlil Bell missed two games due to injury but he still posted eight scores on the season. There are a few backs that will likely step in and do a fine job of replacing Kahlil Bell, but his absence will be felt. Bell played 33 games as a Bruin and he posted 18 touchdowns.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
While a very dangerous return man, fantasy owners are still waiting for wide receiver Terrence Austin to truly emerge in the passing game. Of course we may have seen much bigger offensive numbers from Austin if Ben Olson or Patrick Cowan had been healthy enough to play. With the expectation of more consistent quarterback play we like Austin to emerge as a wide receiver capable of 8-10 scores.
After sitting out 2007 due to personal reasons Ryan Moya returned to catch 38 balls for 364 yards and three scores. Yes, these are numbers that Marcedes Lewis would post in three games, but Moya is still a Pac-10 tight end worth nabbing. He’s in the same boat as Terrence Austin in that any fantasy explosion will be dependent on better play from the starting signal caller.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Raymond Carter and Aundre Dean are the prime candidates to start at running back. I’m an Aundre Dean fan. The prep star from Katy, Texas was told he’d see the chance to play as a freshman, but I don’t think 10 carries were what he hand in mind.
His stock has dropped considerably following a pedestrian freshman year, but players don’t spurn the likes of Alabama and earn schollies from UCLA if they can’t play. There are plenty of potential breakout stars in the Pac-10 and many will likely have a greater impact in 2009. But if you’re looking for a high ceiling guy and willing to take the risk that he doesn’t pan out then Dean is certainly worth a look.
Freshman Flyer
Clearly we just can’t let Marcedes Lewis go. Each season we’re looking for the next great Pac-10 tight end, and as it turns out he m