Our countdown of the Pac-12’s top 25 preseason players in 2013 continues.
A lot of good players, as it happens every year, won’t make the preseason list. It is in their hands to make the postseason list.
You can review our 2012 postseason top 25 here.
6. Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona
2012 numbers: Led the nation with 1,929 rushing yards on 303 carries, scored 23 touchdowns and averaged 148.4 yards per game on the ground. He also caught 36 balls for 303 yards and a touchdown.
2012 postseason ranking: No. 5
Making the case for Carey: The returning 2012 consensus All-American is one of the most intriguing players in the league this year. He has great power for his size (5-10, 196) and outstanding quickness. His talent is unquestioned. His offensive line with three returning starters should be pretty good, too. What is at question, however, is how he’ll perform without Matt Scott running the offense. It’s the proverbial chicken-or-egg question. Was Carey that good because Scott was such an effective passer? Or was Scott such an effective passer because Carey was that good. Probably a little of both. By the very nature of Arizona’s offense, it’s unlikely Carey will see a lot of loaded boxes, so expect, at the very least, another solid season. And if some more wide receivers can emerge -- and Rich Rodriguez settles on a quarterback who can present some sort of down-the-field-threat -- it could open things up for Carey to have another All-American season.
7. Trent Murphy, OLB, Stanford
8. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
9. David Yankey, OG, Stanford
10. Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State
11. Ed Reynolds, S, Stanford
12. Taylor Kelly, QB, Arizona State
13. Austin Seferian Jenkins, TE, Washington
14. De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
15. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
16. Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford
17. Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford
18. Xavier Su'a-Filo, OL, UCLA
19. Morgan Breslin, OLB, USC
20. Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon
21. Carl Bradford, LB, Arizona State
22. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
23. Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
24. Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State
25. Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford
