By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports
June 21, 2021
Our countdown of the Top 50 Pac-12 players for 2021 continues in descending order with numbers 40-31. If you missed 50-41, you’ll find them here.
In this group, we start to get closer to proven elite players in the Conference, including a huge section of great linebackers who are very close to each other in ranking.
40. Kyle Philips, Junior Wide Receiver, UCLA
Philips has quietly been electric in his first two years at UCLA. He’s a great punt returner and speedy big play threat at receiver.
He should only get better in his third year in Chip Kelly’s system.
39. Britain Covey, Senior Wide Receiver, Utah
The do everything Ute has yet another season in Salt Lake City and another season pestering Pac-12 defenses.
It will be exciting to see what he does in another full season of Pac-12 football.
38. Carson Wells, Junior Linebacker, Colorado
Wells has been really good the past two years and was especially great in 2020, finishing with 6.5 sacks.
He’s one of the best edge rushers in the Pac-12 and has plenty of room to grow.
37. Omar Speights, Junior Linebacker, Oregon State
Speights has quietly been a very good defender for the Beavers for two-straight years.
He already has more than 130 tackles in his two-year career, and should get a lot more in 2021.
36. Kellen Diesch, Senior Tackle, Arizona State
The Texas A&M transfer was great for the Sun Devils last year and is back for one more run.
He’s an All-Pac-12 level tackle, a steady veteran presence on their offense and a great run blocker.
35. Nathan Eldridge, Senior Center, Oregon State
The Arizona transfer has been amazing as a Beaver and gets one more year.
He was an excellent run blocker in 2020, plowing a lot of holes for Jermar Jefferson.
34. Isaiah Pola-Mao, Senior Safety, USC
The tall rangy safety has been great the past two years.
Pola-Moa was excellent in 2019 with four interceptions, and stepped up in 2020 as well, finishing with 40 tackles and an interception.
33. Jaydon Grant, Senior Safety, Oregon State
Grant is one of the best cover safeties in the Conference, totaling four interceptions the past two seasons.
He’s also good against the run and has nearly 70 tackles the past two seasons.
32. Greg Dulcich, Junior Tight End, UCLA
Dulcich blew up in 2020, and was one of the best pass-catchers in the Conference with more than 500 yards and five touchdown catches.
He should do even more in a full season in 2021.
31. Austin Jones, Junior Running Back, Stanford
The talented and strong back broke out in 2020, scoring nine touchdowns in just a handful of games.
He’s consistent and gets the most out of every carry, and I expect him to keep getting better in 2021.
—Other Players in the Top 50 Countdown—
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