Pac-12 South Breakout Players

October 27, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Kevin Ozier (82) flips the ball to the ref after scoring against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

On paper, the Pac-12 South is as open as any division in college football.

Last year’s champion UCLA Bruins return stars like Brett Hundley and Anthony Barr, but must replace a Doak Walker Award finalist running back and first round NFL draft pick on the defensive line. The USC Trojans are talented but lack depth due to NCAA sanctions. Arizona State finished strong, but has historically wilted under high expectations. Arizona has glaring defensive issues. Utah is still acclimating to the Pac-12 Conference.

All the uncertainty around the Pac-12 South makes the emergence of breakout stars this season all the more vital to a team’s championship aspirations. To wit, UCLA powered to the conference championship game behind a freshman quarterback and linebacker who was converted from running back.

Breakout stars emerge from any number of roles, and there are no shortage of breakout candidates around the Pac-12 South. A few to keep tabs on in the early weeks of 2013:

ARIZONA WILDCATS

• WR Garic Wharton: Arizona took several hits to its receiver depth in the off-season, losing Tyler Slavin to transfer and star Austin Hill to a torn ACL. Opportunities are there for new players to step up, and explosive Garic Wharton is a likely candidate. He’s one of, if not the fastest player on UA’s roster. He’s precisely the kind of wide receiver who can wreak havoc on the edges in Rich Rodriguez’s offense.

• WR Nate Phillips: The aforementioned injuries in UA’s receiving corps have afforded true freshman Nate Phillips the chance to shine in fall camp. Phillips is a small-but-speedy option in the slot in the mold of a Tavon Austin.

OK, Austin is the tip-top pinnacle example. But per The Tucson Citizen, Phillips is impressing Rodriguez:

"“He’s a quick learner, very conscientious,” Rodriguez said. “Doesn’t look like he is going to be redshirting.”"

• CB Jonathan McKnight: UA was at its best when causing turnovers last season, and Jonathan McKnight was especially adept at it. He led the Wildcats with three interceptions. With 2011 interception leader Shaquille Richardson opposite McKnight for another season and UA with more depth in the front seven, more turnover opportunities could be headed the secondary’s way.

ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

• WR Kevin Ozier: ASU media maven Brad Denny writes wide receiver “may be [the most] interesting, or important” positional battle unfolding at Sun Devils fall camp. Kevin Ozier made just 21 catches in 2012, but five went for touchdowns.

• CB Osahon Irabor: Sun Devil head coach Todd Graham raved about Osahon Irabor at Pac-12 media day, and with good reason. During spring practices, Irabor emerged as a leader in an ASU secondary losing its 2012 leader, House of Sparky reports. With one of the nation’s best front sevens, Irabor will have plenty of opportunities to make plays in the secondary off the pressure created at the line.

COLORADO BUFFALOES

• TE Kyle Slavin: The Daily Camera reports that the returning Colorado tight end corps is trying to prove itself to the new coaching staff, and competing to fill Nick Kasa’s void. Kyle Slavin was the top receiving tight end behind NFL-bound Kasa.

Under new CU head coach Mike MacIntyre, San Jose State tight end Ryan Otten was one of the nation’s premier receiving tight ends. The Buffs may not have a quarterback the caliber of David Fales, but with outstanding receiver Paul Richardson back from injury and capable pass-catching running back Tony Jones, there’s enough diversity in other facets to free Slavin up the middle.

• RB Christian Powell: Burly Christian Powell was a completely different style of rusher than fellow Buff back Tony Jones, while Jones was more akin to 2011 standout Rodney Stewart. Still, Powell emerged as Colorado’s No. 1 option last season, accruing just under 700 yards with seven touchdowns. Establishing Powell as the offense’s cornerstone is critical to CU finding a passing game rhythm, particularly amid a murky quarterback outlook.

UCLA BRUINS

• WR Devin Fuller: A dynamic receiver able to create space with his speed is an invaluable complement to a dual-threat quarterback. Devin Fuller — coincidentally a prep two-way quarterback — is just such a receiver for Brett Hundley.

• DT Ellis McCarthy: One of the marquee names on Jim Mora’s stellar initial signing class was Ellis McCarthy, but an injury at last year’s camp slowed his progress to the college game. The Orange County Register reports McCarthy lost weight to alleviate pressure on his surgically repaired knee, in turn becoming quicker off the line.

USC TROJANS

• WR Nelson Agholor: Explosive speed makes Nelson Agholor a danger on the outside of the Trojan offense. He should transition seamlessly into the role Robert Woods filled as complement to Marqise Lee.

“We have numerous players capable of stepping up and taking on that role including one player, Nelson Agholor,” Lee said of replacing Woods at Pac-12 media day.

• DE George Uko: To tab George Uko as a “breakout” player might be a liberal interpretation of the word. He’s coming off an outstanding season with nine tackles for loss and five sacks. But in Clancy Pendergast’s 52 defense and playing on the same side as aggressive pass rusher Morgan Breslin could see Uko hit the 20 TFL/10-sack thresholds that All-Americans like Jadeveon Clowney reach.

UTAH UTES
Sept. 22, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Utah Utes running back Kelvin York (13) fends off a tackle by Arizona State Sun Devils safety Keelan Johnson (10) during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
• QB Travis Wilson: Jordan Wynn’s injuries and Jon Hays’ inconsistencies complicated Utah’s quarterback situation for the last few seasons. The reins are firmly in Travis Wilson’s hands after he closed out 2012 running the show. The arrival of Dennis Erickson as co-offensive coordinator could help unlock Wilson’s potential.

• DE Nate Orchard: Already a breakout performer in the Utes’ second Pac-12 season, Nate Orchard has plenty to build off for a potentially monster 2013. He made 48 total tackles with 8.5 for loss, and three sacks. Orchard is the foundation of a Ute defensive line that loses first round NFL draft pick Star Lotulelei.

• RB Kelvin York: Injuries slowed Kelvin York in his role as Utah’s No. 2 ball carrier last season, and he is entrenched in a heated competition for the No. 1 spot John White vacated. But York has the talent to break away from the pack, which head coach Kyle Whittingham addresses in this Salt Lake Tribune report from Utah fall camp.

York is a similar style back to his predecessor and two-time 1000-yard rusher White.