Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images file

USC's Rey Maualuga, right, and Brian Cushing, left, are the top two linebackers in the Pac-10, writes Sporting News' Matt Hayes.

By Matt Hayes

updated 4:47 a.m. ET May 25, 2008

Matt Hayes

Quarterback
1. Willie Tuitama, Arizona
2. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
3. Mark Sanchez, USC
4. Jake Locker, Washington
5. Nate Longshore, Cal
Quick thoughts: Tuitama will put up Texas Tech-like numbers in his second season in Sonny Dykes' system, and Sanchez will be the best by the end of the season. Locker has the most talent, but accuracy and Washington's lack of talent at receiver �have been issues.

Running back
1. Joe McKnight, USC
2. Keegan Herring, Arizona State
3. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon
4. Nic Grigsby, Arizona
5. Kahlil Bell, UCLA
Quick thoughts: If McKnight is eligible in the fall — he still has to pass a couple courses this summer — he will develop into one of the best in the nation. Johnson is a special back if he returns completely healthy from last year's knee injury, and the lack of a passing game will hurt Bell.

Wide receiver
1. Mike Thomas, Arizona
2. Brandon Gibson, Washington State
3. Patrick Turner, USC
4. Mike Jones, Arizona State
5. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State
Quick thoughts: No real elite players; just a bunch of strong performers. Gibson doesn't get nearly enough credit, and Turner gets too much. It's time for Turner — or Vidal Hazelton — to develop into the next great USC receiver.

Tight end
1. Ed Dickson, Oregon
2. Rob Gronkowski, Arizona
3. Howard Croom, Oregon State
4. Austin Gunder, Stanford
5. Michael Gottlieb, Washington
Quick thoughts: A down year in the league at the position. Scouts like Dickson's size and athleticism, but he plays a little too stiff (see: Fred Davis). If Mike Stoops survives in Arizona, Gronkowski will thrive in the Dykes offense over the next couple of seasons.

Offensive line
1. Alex Mack, Cal
2. Max Unger, Oregon
3. Jeff Byers, USC
4. Eben Britton, Arizona
5. Alex Fletcher, Stanford
Quick thoughts: Mack is a mauler; he could've left for the NFL this season and been a first day pick. Unger is another potential first-round pick, and Byers has to prove he can stay healthy -- and active — all season.

Kicker
1. Thomas Weber, Arizona State
2. Kai Forbath, UCLA
3. Jason Bondzio, Arizona
4. David Buehler, USC
5. Ryan Perkins, Washington
Quick thoughts: The best collection of kickers in the country. Weber won the Groza Award last fall, and Forbath is a clutch big-game kicker.

Defensive line
1. Fili Moala, USC
2. Nick Reed, Oregon
3. Everson Griffen, USC
4. Dexter Davis, Arizona State
5. Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Washington
Quick thoughts: Moala and Reed are two of the best in the nation, and Griffen — only a sophomore — could pass both by the end of the season. Underrated Te'o-Nesheim had a terrific season last year.

Linebacker
1. Rey Maualuga, USC
2. Brian Cushing, USC
3. Reggie Carter, UCLA
4. Worrell Williams, Cal
5. Zack Follett, Cal
Quick thoughts: Maualuga is the most complete linebacker in the game, and Cushing is more of a rush linebacker. Carter isn't as publicized because he plays in the same city as the monster that is USC, but his production isn't that far off the top two.

Defensive back
1. Taylor Mays, USC
2. Patrick Chung, Oregon
3. Kevin Ellison, USC
4. Troy Nolan, Arizona State
5. Jairus Byrd, Oregon
Quick thoughts: Look at the first three categories in defense and see why USC will be so good defensively this fall. Mays and Ellison are big hitters and made great strides last year in coverage. Chung, although not as physically-gifted as Mays and Ellison, makes big plays.

Punter
1. Keenyn Crier, Arizona
2. Aaron Perez, UCLA
3. Josh Syria, Oregon
4. Jared Ballman, Washington
5. Reid Forrest, Washington State
Quick thoughts: Crier clearly is the elite of the league, and Perez and Forbath give UCLA the best kicking tandem in the league.

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