Kayvon Thibodeaux sets his sights on being the #1 pick in 2022
Photo: Oregon Athletics
Article by WestCoastCFB
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
Kayvon Thibodeaux came to Oregon as the #2 player in the country and has lived up to every ounce of the hype. His career with the Ducks has been simply dominant. As a Freshman, the projected Top 5 NFL Draft pick was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and was named to the AP All-Pac-12 1st Team. Thibodeaux's follow up campaign was even better. The Oregon Star was unstoppable and was rewarded with winning the Morris Trophy, given to the most outstanding lineman in the Pac-12. The Dominant edge rusher enters 2021 with 77 career tackles, 23.5 TFL, and 12 sacks.
2. Jermayne Lole (ASU)
Jermayne Lole is a stout run defender who wreaks havoc in the backfield. The ASU star measures in at 6-1 310 and was recently projected by PFF as the 2nd best Interior DL in the Nation for 2021. Lole has 122 career tackles, 20 TFL and 11 sacks.
3. Mika Tafua (Utah)
The Utes have been one of the best programs in the country when it comes to DL Development and Tafua looks to become the next big star. Tafua was excellent in 2020 while earning 2nd Team All-Pac-12 honors and earning the 2nd best pass rush grade among Pac-12 Edge Defenders according to PFF. During Tafua's illustrious career, he has registered 82 tackles, 19 TFL, and 8 sacks.
4. Tyler Johnson (ASU)
The ASU D-Line is absolutely stacked with Tyler Johnson and Jermayne Lole leading the way in 2021. During a breakout season last Fall, Johnson earned AP 1st Team All-Pac-12 Honors and now returns with the goal of winning a Pac-12 Title. The 6-4 285lb Defensive End has 75 career tackles, 21 TFL's and 11.5 sacks.
5. Thomas Booker (Stanford)
Stanford lucked out in a big way when Thomas Booker announced his return to the Cardinal last January. The Stanford star projects as a likely 2nd or 3rd round NFL Draft pick in 2022, after making the All-Pac-12 2nd Team last Fall. During Booker's productive career with the Cardinal, he has racked up 100 tackles, 15.5 TFL and 8.5 sacks.
6. Nick Figueroa (USC)
USC looks to have an extremely strong Defensive Line group this coming season and a big part of that is due to Figueroa breaking out in 2020 with 20 tackles and 7 of those for a loss. The budding star had offseason surgery but figures to be healthy by the summer.
7. Terrance Lang (Colorado)
The first thing that stands out when you see Lang is his immense size. The Colorado Defensive End stands at 6-7 and weighs 285 pounds. That size combined with his potential will surely make him an intriguing option in next year's NFL Draft. For his career, Lang has totaled 47 tackles, 12.5 TFL's and 7 sacks.
8. Tuli Tuipulotu (USC)
Tuli Tuipulotu was impressive in his Freshman debut for the Trojans with 22 tackles, 2.5 for loss and 2 sacks. The Star Freshman was named a 2nd Team Freshman All-American by The Athletic and should be more consistent with an offseason under his belt.
9. Korey Foreman (USC)
USC scored big time when they landed the #1 recruit in the nation in Korey Foreman. The recent High School graduate heads to the Trojans at 6-4 265 and should be the next Kayvon Thibodeaux. Expect Foreman to be one of the very best DL in the conference by the end of the season.
10. Isaac Hodgins (Oregon State)
Hodgins is one of the most experienced DL in the Pac-12 with 30 career starts. While undersized at 6-0 274, Hodgins has a good motor and is projected to have a breakout season in 2021. Lindy's has named Hodgins to their 2nd Team All-Pac-12 list while Athlon has Hodgins as a 3rd Team Selection.