Chantel Jennings, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Questions remaining for Pac-12 teams this spring

There are seven Pac-12 schools that have yet to complete their allotment of spring practices. Some (Cal and Oregon State) will be done this weekend, while others (Oregon) are just over the halfway mark.

Here's a quick look at the biggest issue for each team that is still in spring season.

Cal: The Bears are set on offense. They have an A-list quarterback, depth at running back, a solid offensive line and a stable of wide receivers that would make most coaches jealous. Defense, however, has been the key word at Berkeley. More specifically, the defensive backfield. With a collection of injuries to the secondary this spring, the Bears have been getting lots of work for quarterback-turned-safety Luke Rubenzer and JC transfer Derron Brown. We'll know a little more about the makeup of the group when Stefan McClure, Patrick Worstell and Griffin Piatt return from injury. But without question, improving on a defense that allowed 367.2 passing yards per game and nearly 40 points per game has been the spring priority. -- Kevin Gemmell

Oregon: Both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball lost major players this offseason. But this spring, the focus is defense since the personnel issues on offense -- notably, QB transfer Vernon Adams and wide receivers Devon Allen (injury) and Darren Carrington (status unknown) -- won't be truly clear until the fall. The secondary is where the Ducks need the most work. Secondary coach John Neal returns starting safety Reggie Daniels, but he needs to replace three starting defensive backs. Chris Seisay had a head start on one of the cornerback spots, but Neal is working with three newbies on the other side: Arrion Springs (redshirted), Charles Nelson (converted from wide receiver) and early enrollee Ugo Amadi. At safety, Tyree Robinson has experience but that doesn't change the fact that (A) this group has a lot of experience to replace and (B) with the exception of a few players, this group has taken limited snaps. -- Chantel Jennings

Oregon State: It's been a busy spring for the Beavers with a new coaching staff and new schemes on both sides of the ball, not to mention a quarterback competition and a rebuilding defense. The most significant development is the QB competition being reduced to redshirt freshman Nick Mitchell and true freshman Seth Collins after 2014 backup Luke Del Rio's decision to transfer, with Marcus McMaryion still a third option. New coach Gary Andersen is installing an up-tempo spread, and he's got solid talent coming back on offense, including five returning starters on the O-line and good skill players. With the defense, things aren't as dire as replacing nine starters suggests. The defense, which is switching to a 3-4 look, has been in control much of the time this spring, with young players stepping up at all three levels. -- Ted Miller

UCLA: This is a team built to win. Almost all of the pieces are in place, save one huge one ... quarterback. Of the four quarterbacks competing to replace Brett Hundley, early returns are that freshman early enrollee Josh Rosen and veteran Jerry Neuheisel are performing well. Jim Mora was quick to pull the trigger on Hundley early in fall camp three years ago. Chances are he could do the same this time around -- if one of those two can get separation from the pack this spring. There is a lot of firepower. It's just a question of who will be running the show. -- Kevin Gemmell

Utah: The big goal this spring for the Utes was to find reliable pass-catchers to step up in the absence of Kaelin Clay, Dres Anderson and Westlee Tonga. Kenneth Scott, the team's second-leading receiver in 2014, has had a strong spring, but beyond him there are a lot of guys making a lot of drops. Tyrone Smith, Raelon Singleton, Delshawn McClellon and Harrison Handley are getting opportunities this spring while Tim Patrick is coming along slowly but surely with his rehab. Plus, there's the possibility of adding UCLA transfer Devin Lucien, who was on campus for the Utes' scrimmage last weekend. That would certainly be a boost to an inexperienced receiver group. -- Chantel Jennings

Washington: The general feeling was that the Huskies' quarterback battle would not conclude this spring, and that hasn't changed. If anything, true freshman Jake Browning has established himself as a legitimate starting option as he has looked comfortable competing with redshirt freshman K.J. Carta-Samuels and junior Jeff Lindquist. One big development on offense was safety Budda Baker seeing action at running back and slot receiver, so he could be the Pac-12's next two-way star. Offensive tackle Jake Eldrenkamp and Siosifa Tufunga have stepped up on the rebuilding offensive line, while the tight end position with Joshua Perkins, Darrell Daniels, David Ajamu and Drew Sample looks strong. As for the defense, Baker and cornerback Sidney Jones lead a secondary that should be much better in 2015. The rebuilding front seven will be young and has been heavily rotating. -- Ted Miller

Washington State: So many positions are up for grabs this spring in Pullman. But when discussing the Cougars, it's only natural to discuss who is going to step up at wide receiver because Mike Leach is always looking for more of those guys. He could have 30 wide receivers on his roster, and he'd probably still be looking for that 31st guy just in case. And with Isiah Myers and Vince Mayle gone, there are plenty of catches to be shared among the group. Gabe Marks, Calvin Green, River Cracraft and Dom Williams will probably headline this group, but that's not nearly enough to satisfy the Air Raid. -- Chantel Jennings

^ Back to Top ^