Pac-12 Preview: Ranking The Pac-12 Secondaries

September 22, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) runs for a touchdown following an interception in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

1. OREGON DUCKS

Injuries piled up on the Oregon secondary late last season, but an off-season to recuperate should translate to big things. Even with the issues it faced, the Duck secondary was key in UO leading the nation in turnovers forced (40). Key to that production was cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. He intercepted four passes and forced six fumbles, turnover creation on par with Tyrann Mathieu’s in his Heisman Trophy-nominated 2011.

Ekpre-Olomu also deflected a staggering 20 passes en route to 3^rd Team AP All-American status. Full disclosure, this blogger nominated Ekpre-Olomu for 1^st Team on his FWAA All-American ballot.

It’s hardly a one-man unit, though. Opposite Ekpre-Olomu is Avery Patterson, coming off a three-interception, 44-tackle season. In 2012, Brian Jackson made 69 tackles, intercepted two passes and defended nine passes. Safety Eric Dargan led the team with five interceptions.

Add Terrance Mitchell and Dior Mathis for depth, and the Ducks are dangerous to throw against.

2. STANFORD CARDINAL

Ed Reynolds was among the Pac-12 and nation’s leaders in interceptions, hauling in six. The play-making safety leads a deep and experienced group in the conversation as best among Pac-12 secondaries.

Strong safety Jordan Richards contributed to the Cardinal’s 27 forced turnovers with three interceptions of his own, and was one of Stanford’s top run stoppers with 68 tackles. Alex Carter returns to man one of the cornerback positions.

In the oh-so prevalent multiple receiver sets Stanford faced in the pass-happy Pac-12, nickelback Usua Amanam flourished.

3. ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

Arizona State’s aggressive blitz packages could be employed because the Sun Devil secondary was outstanding in coverage. Sun Devil interception leader Keelan Johnson is gone, but returning are Alden Darby (three picks, seven passes defended, 80 tackles) and Robert Nelson (three picks, six passes defended, 16 tackles). Their contributions helped make ASU the No. 3 ranked pass defense in the nation.

And don’t think the defensive backs weren’t also critical to the multifaceted blitz packages defensive coordinator Paul Randolph frequently employed. To wit, safety Chris Young recorded 14 tackles for loss in 2012.

4. OREGON STATE BEAVERS

Gone is All-American Jordan Poyer, leaving a tremendous void on a secondary that ranked No. 49 nationally defending the pass and held opponents below a 60 percent completion rating. Poyer picked off a whopping seven passes.

The Beavers are not without answers in Poyer’s absence. Safety Ryan Murphy is coming off a strong campaign, and cornerback Rashaad Reynolds was All Pac-12 after his three-interception, 16-passes defended showing. Fellow cornerback Sean Martin also created multiple turnovers, with a pair of picks.

Tyrequek Zimmerman stepped up last season with 63 tackles and a forced fumble. He could see an even more prominent role this go-around.

5. WASHINGTON HUSKIES
Nov 10, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Kenneth Scott (2) fights off the tackle by Washington Huskies safety Sean Parker (1) during the 1st half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Desmond Trufant was a shining star on the Husky defense, even before Washington’s defense improved so dramatically under Justin Wilcox. The NFL recognized Trufant’s ability, as he went in the first round of April’s draft.

Trufant is an irreplaceable talent and unique leader. Still, the Huskies have strength in other areas of the secondary. Sean Parker was key in the Dogs’ defeat of Oregon State, and Washington’s second leading tackler throughout the season with 77. Washington also returns Marcus Peters, whose three interceptions tied Justin Glenn and Shaq Thompson for most on the team.

Steve Sarkisian’s strong recruiting classes of late should also contribute to this unit’s success. Waiting for their opportunities are four-star 2012 signee Brandon Beaver, and four-star 2013 prospect Jermaine Kelly.

6. USC TROJANS

Outstanding linebacker Dion Bailey is moving to safety this season, both to shore up the Trojans’ ranks there — USC is thinner at defensive back than linebacker — and to solidify Bailey’s draft status.

Bailey is outstanding, but the Trojans have significant question marks elsewhere. Gone are T.J. McDonald and Nickell Robey, USC’s top two defensive backs the last couple seasons. Also gone is Jawanza Starling, who made three interceptions in 2012. Safety Josh Shaw and cornerback Torin Harris are two of the few returners with significant contribution on his resume.

Clancy Pendergast needs young talent to emerge immediately if his aggressive, 52 style defense is to function. Fortunately for USC, it gets just that in Su’a Cravens. The five-star prospect out of CIF Southern Section powerhouse Vista Murrieta should have an instant impact.

7. ARIZONA WILDCATS

Losing transfer Cortez Johnson and oft-injured Adam Hall, the Arizona secondary came into 2012 looking like it might be the biggest concern on a wholly questionable defense. But the emergence of walk-on Jared Tevis in the Bandit position led a promising campaign for the unit. Tevis earned All-Conference recognition for forcing five turnovers (two interceptions, three forced fumbles), defending eight passes and recording 82 tackles.

Fellow rover Tra’Mayne Bondurant’s versatility worked well in the 3-3-5 stack. He made 11.5 tackles for loss, snagged a pair of interceptions and defended nine passes.

Shaq Richardson was among the Pac-12’s interceptions leader in 2011; he’s back in the fold. Three years of starting experience should have Richardson playing more conservatively; his style is very much all-or-nothing. Back at the other corner spot is Jonathan McKnight, who picked off three passes in 2012. The Wildcats return two more cornerbacks who saw significant playing time a season ago, Jourdon Grandon and Derrick Rainey.

This group’s experience and depth is a decided strength on an otherwise uncertain defense, but the production UA gets up front is critical to the secondary’s production. Last year, UA ranked dead last in the conference defending the pass. The front’s ability to apply pressure will help determine this unit’s success.

8. UTAH UTES

Utah was solid against the pass last season, holding opponents below 3000 yards for the season and keeping opponent completion percentages below 60. Where UU struggled was creating turnovers. The Utes had the second fewest interceptions of any Pac-12 team with eight, and the only defensive back to pick off multiple passes, Ryan Lacy, is gone. Also out of the picture are Moe Lee and Reggie Topps. There’s a lot of turnover in the Ute secondary. With similar turnover in the front seven, Utah’s pass defense might not the same benefit of aggressive pass rush it has relied on in recent seasons.

Utah does welcome back Brian Blechen, an effective tackler in the open field. Blechen was one of the Utes’ statistical leaders, despite missing the early season because of suspension. Senior Quade Chappuis brings veteran savvy as he moves into a more prominent role. Utah will also get its first good look at four-star 2012 prospect Justin Thomas.

9. UCLA BRUINS

Andrew Abbott’s graduation and Tevin McDonald’s dismissal in March impacts a secondary that was already the weakest link of UCLA’s otherwise stellar defense. The Bruins ranked near the bottom of Pac-12 pass defenses, giving up 3508 yards in 2012 and allowing a 63.3 percent completion rate. That figure is comparable to Cal’s yield.

UCLA will need a big jump in production from promising young safety Randall Goforth. Goforth made 39 tackles and intercepted a pass in his freshman campaign. Reliance on potential will be the theme for this, one of the youngest Pac-12 secondaries in 2013. Along with Goforth is fellow 2012 signee Marcus Rios, a four-star prospect who should see a much more prominent role.

The Bruins also have a crop of wildly talented true freshmen coming into the mix: Tahaan Goodman, Tyler Foreman, Johnny Johnson and Priest Willis. All are four-star prospects, and Willis ranked among my Top Impact Newcomers for the conference this coming campaign.

10. WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
Aug 30, 2012; Provo, UT, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20) on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Washington State’s offense likes to throw. Likewise, the opposing offenses the Cougar D sees also like to throw, evident in the nearly 263 yards per game it gave up through the air. Other Pac-12 secondaries surrendered more yards through the air, but counterparts Cal and Arizona did not have the same pass rush defense Washington State employed. Moreover, only Colorado allowed a higher completion percentage.

There is a glimmer of hope, however — that glimmer’s name is Deone Bucannon. Bucannon is coming off an excellent junior campign in which he made 106 tackles and intercepted four passes. Also returning is Anthony Carpenter, and veteran Damante Horton.

11. CAL GOLDEN BEARS

Cal gave up 3263 passing yards in 2012. That’s the bad news. The worse news is that many of the key contributors in that secondary are gone this season, including Josh Hill, Steve Williams and Marc Anthony.

Cal does return Avery Sebastian and interceptions leader Michael Lowe, as well as promising veteran Kam Jackson. One of the stars of Sonny Dykes’ first signing class is Darius Allensworth, a Jeff Tedford commit Dykes kept in the fold after the regime change. Allensworth could work into the lineup immediately as defensive coordinator Andy Buh searches for depth.

12. COLORADO BUFFALOES

Not much went right for Colorado in 2012. The Buffs ranked near the bottom in virtually every category, including opponent pass completion percentage. CU allowed completions on nearly 68 percent of attempts. Colorado also had the fewest interceptions of any team in the conference with just three. That’s certainly an area of concern for the program’s new coaching regime.

But Mike MacIntyre’s staff is working with a seasoned secondary, returning Parker Orms, Marques Mosley, Kenneth Crawley and Jered Bell. All were primary contributors to the Buff defense.