Pac-12 North Breakout Players

Oct 27, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Storm Woods (24) rushes against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon and Stanford have set the pace in the Pac-12 North. Both are again the favorites, but Oregon State and Washington linger as potential dark horses. Both the Beavers and Huskies feature some of the prime breakout candidates in the Pac-12 North this season.

CAL GOLDEN BEARS

• RB Brendan Bigelow: Cal has churned out one outstanding rusher after another, dating back nearly a decade to J.J. Arrington. While the coaching staff is new, don’t expect that trend to stop. Sonny Dykes’ offense has fostered breakout running back performances, including Kenneth Dixon’s last year at Louisiana Tech.

Bigelow was Cal’s third option behind C.J. Anderson and Isi Sofele, both of whom are gone. He was explosive in his opportunities, evident in an absurd 9.8 yard per carry average.

• WR Chris Harper: The “Bear Raid” offense brings more passing and a higher tempo, and the departure of standout receiver Keenan Allen requires a new primary target to emerge. Enter Chris Harper.

Harper was Cal’s second leading receiver in 2012, though made just 41 catches. Expect that number to increase dramatically.

OREGON DUCKS
September 22, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Colt Lyerla (15) stiff arms Arizona Wildcats safety Jared Tevis (38) as he runs with the ball along the sideline at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
• TE Colt Lyerla: His versatility made Colt Lyerla a prominent part of the Duck offense already in 2012, but the 2013 season could see him take a more active role.

Lyerla told The Oregonian he wants to see the ball more and “show [what he] can do” this season.

• WR Daryle Hawkins: New UO head coach Mark Helfrich has reportedly been pleased with Daryle Hawkins’ peformance in preseason camp.

At 6-foot-4, Hawkins is a big target. Once used at quarterback in Chip Kelly’s spread offense, he’s obviously very quick and athletic. The combination should create match-up nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.

• DE Tony Washington: The loss of Dion Jordan from the Oregon defensive front leaves a void that veteran Tony Washington can fill. Washington began his ascent to a leading role in the underrated Duck defense during last year’s Fiesta Bowl. He helped a dinged up line stymie Kansas State throughout the night.

Washington is a versatile play maker in a vein similar to Jordan. He’s appeared both on the line and at linebacker.

OREGON STATE BEAVERS

• WR Brandin Cooks: How much of a “breakout” performance can a receiver coming off 1151 yards really have? For Brandin Cooks, the answer is a lot.

Markus Wheaton was a stalwart of the Beaver offense over the last few years. His departure for the NFL challenges Cooks to become the new primary play maker in an Oregon State attack that has relied largely on the pass over the last two years.

The Associated Press featured Cooks last week, and he said he’s ready to be the Beavers’ leader. That could mean a season approaching 1500 yards.

• RB Storm Woods: How much Storm Woods improves on an already impressive 2012 could be the difference in Oregon State reaching its first Rose Bowl in nearly 50 years. Woods rushed for 940 yards and 13 touchdowns a season ago on 191 carries.

Should Woods’ productive jump from 4.9 to around 5.5 yards per carry, it will open the field for OSU’s quarterback (whomever that may be) to sling freely. That, in turn, will only further spread defenses for Woods to make plays.

STANFORD CARDINAL

• QB Kevin Hogan: As a redshirt freshman, the dual-capable Kevin Hogan admirably handled the responsibility of manning a championship contender’s offense amid a stretch run. Still, Hogan’s production was unspectacular after assuming the reins on Nov. 10. A half-season of collegiate acclimation coupled with an off-season as the no-doubt-it starter should instill in Hogan a veteran savvy to go with his sky high potential.

• WR Ty Montgomery: Ty Montgomery was a big-play target for Andrew Luck in 2011. His workload remained steady in 2012 — Montgomery caught 24 passes last season, compared to 23 the year prior — but his yards per catch dipped by nearly five.

Montgomery was also hindered by a mid-season injury, which sidelined him for four games. A return to health and more consistency at quarterback should improve Montgomery’s production considerably. In turn, he’ll be a vital weapon for a restructured receiving corps.

• DB Usua Amanam: Stanford has more recognized names on its outstanding defense, but Usua Amanam made perhaps the biggest play of the Cardinal’s season when he intercepted Wisconsin quarterback Curt Phillips to sew up the Cardinal’s first Rose Bowl win in over four decades. Expect more of that to carry over into the new season.

Amanam wreaks havoc on blitz packages, last year racking up 10.5 tackles for loss. He could also see more turnover-creating opportunities as quarterbacks hesitate throwing in Ed Reynolds’ direction.

WASHINGTON HUSKIES

• WR Damore’ea Stringfellow: The true freshman wide out is the gem of Steve Sarkisian’s 2013 signing class, and a potential complement to primary target Kasen Williams. Damore’ea Stringfellow could have an immediate impact similar to that of Williams in 2011, when the outstanding newcomer caught six touchdown passes.

• LB Jamaal Kearse: Injuries derailed Jamaal Kearse in 2012 after he played in all 13 games the season prior. He’s back at 100 percent and has been one of the Huskies’ play makers in preseason camp.

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
Sep 14, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Connor Halliday (12) drops back to pass while UNLV Rebels defensive lineman Parker Holloway (90) rushes during the second quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
• QB Connor Halliday: The departure of Jeff Tuel likely closes the revolving door Washington State’s had at quarterback much of the last two seasons. Assuming he remains healthy, Connor Halliday will get the opportunity to throw. A lot. In fact, the Cougars’ 624 pass attempts in 2012 were more than any team in the FBS by a considerable margin.

Halliday has shown flashes of brilliance in his time on the Palouse. In 2011, he set a Pac-12 freshman passing record while leading the Cougars to an upset of Arizona State.

• WR Dominique Williams: All those passes thrown in Mike Leach’s version of the air raid offense translates to myriad chances for the wide receiving corps to shine. Line up the names randomly on a dartboard, take a throw and you’re likely to hit a potential breakout star.

However, your odds are improved if the name you target is Dominique Williams. He was the Cougars’ leading in yards per reception last season at nearly 17. Williams has also been a standout in fall camp workouts.