Jack Follman’s 2023 Preseason Top 50 Pac-12 Players (50-41)

The transfer portal is making the Conference deeper with talent, and a little harder to rank

Posted on June 8, 2023


  By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports

Pac-12One of my favorite parts of every offseason is counting down who I think the 50 best Pac-12 players are going into the season.

The transfer portal is making the Conference deeper with talent, especially at quarterback, and a little harder to rank.

The usual suspect programs fill up the Top 50, with Washington, USC, and Oregon looking stacked, but don’t sleep on Oregon State this year.

Let’s get it started by looking at some who just missed the cut…

60. Simote Pepa, Sophomore, Defensive Tackle, Utah
59. Jackson Sirmon, Senior, Linebacker, Cal
58. Jeremiah Hunter, Senior, Wide Receiver, Cal
57. Levani Damuni, Senior, Linebacker, Utah
56. Eric Gentry, Junior, Linebacker, USC
55. J.Michael Sturdivant, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, UCLA
54. Dillon Johnson, Junior, Running Back, Washington
53. Shane Lee, Senior, Linebacker, USC
52. Ja’Quinden Jackson, Sophomore, Running Back, Utah
51. Shedeur Sanders, Junior, Quarterback, Colorado

Now on to the Top 50…


50. Travis Hunter, Sophomore, Cornerback/Receiver, Colorado
Buffs cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter | AP Photo via ABC News
Let’s get started with one of the most interesting and exciting players coming into the Conference.

Hunter could be everything for the Buffs and one of the best two-way players in the Pac-12 in quite a while.


49. Jordan Morgan, Senior, Tackle, Arizona
Arizona OT Jordan Morgan | Rick Scuteri/AP
Morgan had a fantastic 2022 before getting injured and it may have prevented him from going to the NFL.

A leader up front with a great shot at making first-team All-Pac-12 in 2023.


48. Jake Levengood, Senior, Center, Oregon State
Beaver center Jake Levengood | Oregon State Athletics
Why has Oregon State been so great at running the ball recently?

Because their offensive line is stacked and this great veteran is back for another with a chance to be the best center in the Pac-12.


47. Taliese Fuaga, Junior, Tackle, Oregon State
Oregon State OL Taliese Fuaga | Al Powers/ESPN Images
Fuaga had a great 2022 and racked up conference honors.

He should keep progressing and be even better in 2023 as Oregon State’s right tackle.


46. Roger Rosengarten, Sophomore, Tackle, Washington
Washington OT Roger Rosengarten | Kim Grinolds/Dawgman
Rosengarten protected Michael Penix Jr’s blindside superbly in 2022.

He should make a much bigger name for himself in 2023 with another year of experience under his belt.


45. Jaden Hicks, Sophomore, Safety, Washington State
Cougar S Jade Hicks | Washington State Athletics
Hixka was a staple of Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors in 2022.

He has the potential to be the best DB in the conference by the end of his career.


44. Collin Schlee, Senior, Quarterback, UCLA
UCLA quarterback Collin Schlee | Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
I’m giving Schlee the starting job at UCLA to start the season.

He was good at Kent State and I think will be very fun to watch in Chip Kelly’s offense.


43. Carson Steele, Junior, Running Back, UCLA
UCLA RB Carson Steele | David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News
Another MAC transfer who I think is going to be very good at UCLA.

Steele should step in where Zach Charbonnet was and be a headache for Pac-12 defenses.


42. Van Fillinger, Junior, Defensive End, Utah
Utah DE Van Fillinger | All Utes/SI-Fan Nation
Utah defensive linemen always seem to get better and better and develop just about as well as any position group in the Pac-12.

Fillinger already has 10 career sacks and seems ready to get that many in one season before it’s all said and done.


41. Tuli Letuligasenoa, Senior, Defensive Tackle, Washington
Washington DL Tuli Letuligasenoa | Kim Grinolds/Dawgman
Letuligasenoa been a stalwart up front for the Huskies for years now and yet it feels like this could still be his best season in 2023.

One of the best defensive veterans in the conference.

See players ranked 40-31




—More from Jack Follman—