National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance ranking the SEC quarterbacks, safeties who will break from the shadows, and some under-the-radar 2023 recruits to watch for in the Pac-12.
Top SEC Quarterbacks
— We move on to the top-tier QBs in the SEC.
1. Jayden Daniels, LSU
— Many don’t have him on top, but let’s remember he was the best passing and rushing option for a team that went to the SEC title game.
2. Will Rogers, Mississippi State
— His career has been exceptional, although it will be interesting to see the offense without Mike Leach.
3. KJ Jefferson, Arkansas
— He wasn’t the problem at Arkansas last year, as he bulldozed with his legs and was efficient as a passer.
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4. Devin Leary, Kentucky
— If he stays healthy, he could be No. 1 here.
5. Conner Weigman, Texas A&M
— I expect a big season based on what I saw last year.
Safeties Stepping Into the Spotlight
— We wrap up our series on positional players who look to break out of the shadows this season with the safeties.
1. Malaki Starks, Georgia
Overshadowed by: Cam Smith
Another year, another standout player on the back end of the defense for the Dawgs. Starks started in the national title game as a true freshman and played more snaps than anyone else on Georgia’s defense in 2022. He’s a potential All-American as a sophomore.
2. Rod Moore, Michigan
Overshadowed by: Ji’Ayir Brown, Sydney Brown
Michigan once again had a dominant defense in 2022, and a large part of that was due to the emergence of Moore as a standout on the back end. He’s the best-returning safety in the Big Ten and has a case to be a pre-season All-American.
3. Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma State
Overshadowed by: Jason Taylor
The lesser known of the two standout Cowboys safeties, Daniels was a star as a redshirt freshman, earning second-team All-Big XII honors. He now steps into a leadership role on Oklahoma State’s defense and will be a key player if they’re going to bounce back from a rough second half of 2022.
4. Calen Bullock, USC
Overshadowed by: Mekhi Blackmon, Rejzhon Wright
As a sophomore, Bullock made second-team All-Pac 12, and deserving so, as he was one of PFF’s top-three graded safeties in the entire country. With a bevy of high-level safeties from the conference moving onto the next level, he’s got the chance to take the mantle as the guy in the conference on the back end of the defense.
Underrated Pac-12 Recruits
— And finally, we have some underrated recruits in the PAC 12 who could surprise.
1. DE Grant Buckey, UCLA
A big, physical defensive end, Buckey has the frame to be an elite strongside end. Already 6’5 and 265 lbs, you could see him grow into a Bosa-brothers level player because of his violent hands and quick first step. A great flip late in the cycle from Chip Kelly, who stole him from Lincoln Riley across town.
2. S Johnathan Hall, Utah
At 6’2″ and 220 lbs., Hall is physically ready to contribute coming straight out of high school. The Katy, TX native will fit right in with Kyle Whittingham’s tough, gritty defenses.
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3. WR Marquis Montgomery, Cal
Another player who has a body ready for the college game, the 6’5″ Montgomery could see immediate action in four- and five-receiver sets for the Golden Bears this fall. He’s a nightmare matchup in jump ball situations and has deceptive speed with long strides. The JUCO addition brings a new skillset to the wide receiver room in Berkeley.
4. RB Tybo Rogers, Washington
A slippery back with a thick lower half, Rogers is a versatile athlete who could also see action as a returner early in his career in Seattle. The three-star recruit will have the chance to crack the two-deep as a true freshman.
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5. WR Asaad Waseem, Colorado
Coach Prime brought in six receivers in his first class in Boulder, so while Omarion Miller and Adam Hopkins are the headliners, don’t forget about Waseem, who is as dynamic in space as any of them. If he can put 10-15 pounds on his 167-pound frame and keep his quickness and acceleration, he can be a special player in Sean Lewis’ offense.
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