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Pac-12 Football: Breakout player from every team for 2016

By Gabe Encinas

October 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) is tackled by Southern California Trojans linebacker Cameron Smith (35) at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) is tackled by Southern California Trojans linebacker Cameron Smith (35) at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Cameron Smith came in as a freshman and made an immediate impact for the Trojans. He looks the part of a prototypical USC linebacker, built with a 6’2″ 250-pound frame. Smith finished second on the team in tackles, only behind Su’a Cravens with 78. With Cravens gone to the NFL, expect Smith to make a big jump as the defensive anchor of the team.

USC is losing a lot of talent up front, specifically on their defensive line. As an interior linebacker, Cameron Smith is going to have his hands full. With a young secondary behind him, he’s going to be called on to make a lot of plays all season long.

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He might be a name that Pac-12 fans are familiar with, especially after his three-interception game vs. No. 17 Utah, a big time performance in a must-win game for the Trojans. But Smith will only be a sophomore and he has plenty of time to solidify himself as a household name. By his junior year, expect him to be a Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year finalist.

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