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No other conference has been damaged more than the Pac-12 when it comes to conference realignment. After the 2023 season, only four teams will remain members of the conference. However, there are still memories to be made before the majority of the conference rides off in the sunset. Here are five players to watch this season in the Pac-12.
5. Karene Reid, LB – Utah
Karene Reid joined Utah in 2021, playing in 10 games and starting 6.
In 2022 he started in all 14 games and earned a 72.8 PFF Zone Coverage Grade and a 72.4 PFF Man Coverage Grade – good for #2 and #5 respectively among ALL PAC-12 Linebackers. 👀🔥@k_reid41 pic.twitter.com/ROOwgKycG5
— Utah Football Stats and Analysis (@UtahCFBstats) February 23, 2023
Arguably, the best defender in all of the Pac-12 resides in Salt Lake City. Utah linebacker Karene Reid is the staple of the 2023 Utes defense. Last season, Reid appeared and started in all 14 games for the Utes. He finished last season with 72 total tackles while also finding the quarterback in the backfield on five separate occasions. The Pac-12 preseason All-American is looking to build off his 2022 season to lead the program in his junior year.
4. Dorian Singer, WR – USC
G R A T E F U L
Thank you to @AudiBH @houseof_victory ✌️FIGHT ON pic.twitter.com/zvtJUqPx6m
— Dorian singer (@dorian_singer1) August 22, 2023
USC has found plenty of success in the transfer portal since the arrival of head coach Lincoln Riley. Receiver Dorian Singer is just the latest addition that will bolster an already impressive offensive unit. The singer began his career at Arizona before transferring to the Trojans ahead of the 2023 season. Last season for the Wildcats, Singer had 1,105 yards receiving while finding the endzone six times. Singer will be a powerful weapon for Heisman candidate Caleb Williams.
3. Travis Hunter, DB – Colorado
Travis Hunter playing both ways is a SCARY sight 😳
Hunter said recently that won’t have a “limit of snaps” next season.
Hunter also said that he “wants to play” every snap on both offense and defense.
Hunter recently captioned one of his recent posts “Heisman Loading” as a… pic.twitter.com/tSiNshyaVo
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 11, 2023
Speaking of the transfer portal, new Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has also found a grove in bringing talent to Boulder. Along with his son Shedeur Sanders, the Colorado head man brought in another player, Travis Hunter, who played for Sanders at Jackson State. Hunter is listed as a defensive back; however, don’t be surprised to see him in every aspect of the game. The transfer star has already shown off his offensive skills in Fall camp. Look for Hunter to quickly rise in the Heisman discussion early in the season.
2. Michael Penix Jr.
Multiple NFL scouts reportedly believe Michael Penix Jr. is currently a “Top-3” QB in next year’s NFL Draft class.
Behind both Caleb Williams (QB1) and Drake Maye (QB2).
Many scouts believe that in “some ways”, Penix is a “clone” of Tua Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa is currently… pic.twitter.com/oIxZ0iEPMW
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) May 11, 2023
The Pac-12 is home to two of the most talented quarterbacks in the entire country. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. was an absolute highlight reel in the 2022 season. Penix threw for 4,461 yards and 31 touchdowns. The Indiana transfer seemingly found a home in Washington and is looking to lead the team to a Pac-12 championship appearance in 2023.
1. Caleb Williams, QB – USC
Caleb Williams is him🗣 pic.twitter.com/0IHeMDUk6h
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 24, 2023
As if anyone could be more deserving as the top player in the Pac-12. USC quarterback Caleb Williams followed his head coach, Lincoln Riley, from Oklahoma to USC before the 2022 season. The move absolutely proved to be the right one, as Williams’ 2022 campaign ended with the quarterback hosting the Heisman Trophy. Now, Williams is looking to build off an incredible 2022 season while giving Trojans fans the perfect send-off in their final season as a member of the Pac-12.
