| 1. Rey Maualuga, LB, USC |
 While the stats might not scream superstar, those who watch the Trojans on a regular basis are quick to say that Maualuga is the best player on the best team in the conference. Maualuga isn't your typical stat hound, with 79 tackles, six sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss last year. But nobody hits harder or is more intimidating in the middle than Maualuga. His ferocious play has made him a YouTube legend, with some of the biggest blow-ups of opposing quarterbacks you will find in the country. A two-time first team All Pac 10 selection, Maualuga has great size at 6-3, 255, but is also regarded as having excellent football speed. In other words, he might not totally dazzle you with track shoes on in the spring, as evidenced by his 4.7 40-times. But sideline to sideline, Maualuga gets to the play as well as anyone in the conference. A certain top ten NFL draft pick next spring, Maualuga is the best player in the Pac 10 for 2008. |
| 2. Nick Reed, DE, Oregon |
 Oregon's defense is looking strong for 2008. While there are all-conference nominees throughout the secondary, everything starts up front with Nick Reed, the returning Pac 10 leader in sacks (12) and tackles for loss (22 1/2) last season. At 6-2, 255, Reed doesn't have the prototype size at defensive end. There are linebackers in the PAC-10 who are as big, if not bigger than Reed (Rey Maualuga anyone?). But you can't measure heart, and Reed has as much as any player you will see this year. Reed leaves it all on the field at the end of the day, a relentless presence on the edge who must be accounted for on every snap. He will compete for defensive player of the year honors in the conference. |
| 3. Rudy Carpenter, QB, Arizona State |
 The top passer coming back for 2008, Carpenter had a strong breakthrough season in Dennis Erickson's new offense. Carpenter threw for just over 3200 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 61% of his passes. He also finished second to Dennis Dixon in pass efficiency rating, ahead of QB's like John David Booty, Alex Brink, Willie Tuitama and Nate Longshore. Maybe as more of a badge of honor over everything, Carpenter played well while under constant fire. He took an absolute beating last year, sacked an amazing 55 times in the Erickson one-back attack that often saw blitzers taking repeated shots on the junior QB. The good news for Carpenter is that the offense is undergoing some changes for 2008, which should see more quick-hitting pass plays instead of the more traditional five-to-seven step drops. These tweaks to the offense should help ease the pain for Carpenter, as it's not just the 55 sacks to wrap your head around. It's the untold number of blows he absored after he actually got rid of the football that you also have to take into consideration. To think that he led his team to 10 wins and put up some strong numbers in the process shows what kind of player Carpenter really is. |
| 4. Taylor Mays, Safety, USC |
 An impact player since his true frosh season, it's hard to believe Mays is already a junior. Mays was Pac 10 co-frosh of the year in 2006, and 3rd-team All American last year. Mays has outstanding athleticism and is simply huge for his position at 6-4, 225 lbs. Sort of like Maualuga, however, Mays doesn't have the eye-popping stats to his credit, with 65 tackles, six pass-breakups and one interception last year. But also like Maualuga, stats don't tell the whole story with Mays, who has been a force in his time at SC. Coaches and players from opposing teams have raved about the play of Mays. He is the probably the best athlete on the USC defense, and combines with strong safety Kevin Ellison as perhaps the best safety duo in the nation. Another likely first-round draft pick next spring, provided Mays declares for the draft, watch him while you still can. |
| 5. Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona |
 An under-the-radar choice here, but still, one of the elite players in the conference. Thomas is the top returning receiver from 2007 in catches (83) and TD's (11), and number two in receiving yards (1038). It's easy to see why Thomas is so often overlooked. He checks in at a compact 5-8, 195, so clearly not your NFL prototype. But he absolutely exploded last year in the new Arizona Red Raider offense imported from Texas Tech by offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes. The favorite target of Willie Tuitama, Thomas could surpass his numbers from last year as everyone becomes even more comfortable in the new passing offense. |
