Pac-12 Football: Every team’s most important newcomers for 2021
By Dante Pryor
![Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b7d7d2fedd9e8c107be764d0e3a6667dfca2a1e35facefc72c36e7e14c6bb817.jpg)
Stanford
The Stanford Cardinal come into the 2021 season with some considerable roster decisions to make. Is Jack West definitely the starting quarterback coming into the fall? Are the Cardinal committed to moving away from power football?
David Shaw and the Cardinal staff need some depth, and Stanford did not take any transfers this cycle, so they have to do it with younger players. These two young players could have an impact this season.
- Ari Patu, QB: Despite having a solid spring, likely, Patu does not start this fall. However, his impact will be pushing Jack West and Tanner McKee. West is the veteran, and Coach Shaw prefers to play veteran players. Patu is still filling out, but he is a plus athlete that neither West nor McKee are at quarterback. There is a chance Patu starts if he blows the staff away this summer, but West knowing a young prospect is nipping at his heels, could push West to play well.
- Aaron Armitage, DE: Armitage comes into the season on a defensive line without depth. Armitage is an agile, strong athlete at the defensive end. Though he played end and the three-technique in high school, Armitage is too light to move inside right now. However, Armitage can contribute as a situational pass rusher in specific situations as he develops technically and physically fills out physically.