Posted on March 31, 2023
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Every team in the Pac-12 has lost pieces in the offseason, some a few key ones, and some to other teams in the Conference.
Here are the transfers out of Pac-12 programs that will sting the most in 2023.
Arizona – Dorian Singer WR (USC)
This one stings as a former South Division rival takes a 1,000-yard receiver from the Wildcats.The good news is they still have 1,000-yard receiver Jacob Cowing and sophomore Tetairoa McMillan, who is the best underclassman receiver in the Pac-12.
Still, that trio, had it come back intact, would have been amazing.
Arizona State – Ben Scott T (Nebraska)
Scott was a veteran stalwart and could really help the Sun Devils start anew under Kenny Dillingham, but he’s off to Nebraska.They are bringing in a transfer to try and fill the veteran hole he leaves.
Cal – J. Michael Sturdivant WR (UCLA)
This is a huge loss for the Bears as Sturdivant was one of the best freshmen in the Conference at any position and would have been a great target for their new QB in 2023.Worse yet, he transferred to a rival in California.
Colorado – Kaylin Moore CB (Cal)
The Buffs have gained a ton in the portal and lost very little thus far.They have great pieces coming in at corner, but still, it would have been nice to have a veteran with reps like Moore.
Oregon – Justin Flowe LB (Arizona)
The Ducks lost a lot of players in the portal, just not many that had proven much on the field.Flowe finally got healthy and played in 2022 and was fine. It’s mostly just costly here for the Ducks because if he ever puts it all together he could be great, and they’re light at linebacker with Noah Sewell off to the NFL.
Oregon State – Omar Speights LB (LSU)
This is one of the tougher ones in recent memory.Speights has been in Corvallis for a long time and would have been a great veteran for them as a defensive cornerstone going into a season with big expectations, but he’s going to the SEC instead.
Stanford – Levani Damuni LB (Utah)
Stanford’s loss is Utah’s gain as the Cardinal must do without one of the best linebackers returning to the Conference, a proven veteran.The Cardinal are going to have to completely rebuild on defense.
UCLA – Matt Sykes WR (Rice)
The Bruins managed to not lose much in the portal.Sykes was a depth receiver but it would have been interesting to see what he could have become at UCLA.
USC – Malcolm Epps TE (Undecided)
The Trojans haven’t lost much in the portal.Epps was a depth tight end, but a player who likely would have made plays in 2023.
Utah – Ricky Parks RB (Undecided)
The Utes aren’t losing much in the portal.Parks was a nice recruit pick-up for them, though, and losing his potential could prove costly.
Washington – Sam Huard QB (Cal Poly)
This is mostly a depth hit for the Huskies since Huard is dropping down to FCS so it seems he wasn’t going to live up to his five-star billing.It leaves them with only two scholarship QBs this Spring, which forced them to have a 2024 QB to reclassify and come in next year.
Washington State – Francisco Mauigoa LB (Miami)
The Cougars were hit hard by the portal so it’s a tough call here.Mauigoa may have been a First-Team or Second-Team All-Pac-12 selection had he come back, so this hurts.
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