Dynasty Scouts Conference Preview: PAC 12

By Rob Leath

College football is littered with talent, both established and unheralded. Perhaps nowhere is the latter better illustrated than the Pac 12, where late start times hinder the nation’s ability to view some of the nation’s very best athletes. With USC slowly back on the upswing and UCLA establishing itself a national force, the conference’s outlook is looking up.

Known Commodities

Paul Perkins, RB UCLA Bruins

Paul Perkins gets overlooked nationally, yet he is one of the nation’s more reliable runners and stabilized the Bruins’ offense as it went through a mercurial 2014 campaign. With elite balance and enough juice to press a defense at every level, Perkins should press a defense at every level, Perkins should be owned in deep leagues.

Jordan Villamin, WR Oregon State Beavers

A torrid midseason stretch entrenched Jordan Villamin on the devy radar, and large men that move well and can make plays after the catch are rare commodities. He’s still a work in progress, and likely has two more years in school, but the upside is matched by few receivers in college football.

Royce Freeman, RB Oregon Ducks

It did not take long for Royce Freeman to assume lead backfield duties in Eugene. Between Byron Marshall’s switch to wide receiver and Thomas Tyner’s stagnated development, there was a wide open door for a workhorse in a high yield offense, and Freeman pounced and never looked back, drawing the natural comparisons to former Duck Jonathan Stewart. Ultimately, at this point, Freeman lacks the natural burst and premier athleticism of Stewart. He’s got a well-rounded skill-set, yet it is fair to wonder which area he really excels in. That is why I am tempering my expectations at this point and passing at his current ADP of 16.