Nick Daschel is a veteran sports writer and columnist who has worked on the West coast for nearly three decades. Nick has covered the Pac-10 for about 15 years, primarily focusing on the Northwest schools.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:02 PM
Posted By: Nick Daschel In: Pac-10
It’s that time of the college football season, when the Pac-10 championship and league honors are on the line. Here are nine names to consider for Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year:
Favorite
Taylor Mays, USC: Mays was a mortal cinch to win this award coming into the season; how many projected top 15 NFL draft picks turn their back on millions to return to college? While Mays hasn’t had a catastrophic season say, like Sam Bradford, it’s hard to say he’s been the one-man wrecking crew some thought he’d be in 2009. For one, it was hoped Mays would improve as a playmaker in the air, yet to date, he has one interception. Some have fingered Mays’ overaggressiveness as a reason for USC’s lack of defense at times this season. Still, Mays has produced solid numbers in 2009, and remains a physical freak. He’d really have to fall apart down the stretch not to win the award. Odds: 4-5
Contenders
Mike Mohamed, California: The Bears defense has been a disappointment this season, but it’s not Mohamed’s fault. The junior linebacker is the Pac-10’s leading tackler, averaging nine a game, and usually gets one a game behind the line of scrimmage. It’s hard to imagine Cal would be bowl eligible at this point without this defensive playmaker. Odds: 5-1
Keaton Kristick, Oregon State: Mays is often touted as the hardest-hitting defender in the Pac-10. In a one-on-one competition, I wouldn’t bet against Kristick. It probably shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows about Kristick’s performance-enhancing drug of choice: lots of espresso. Kristick is the third leading tackler in the Pac-10. You’d have to think Kristick would be a driving force if OSU somehow wins out, snuffs Oregon’s offense and earns a slice of the Pac-10 title. Odds: 8-1
Brian Price, UCLA: The lone defensive tackle on this list, because frankly, there are few in Price’s league. A wide-body 300-pounder, Price is almost certain to become an NFL first-round draft pick because of his size and relentless play. Price makes plays in the backfield more than anyone in the Pac-10, with 13.5 tackles for losses in 2009. You know Price will stay grounded, too, with six sisters to keep him in line. Odds: 10-1
Donald Butler, Washington: He’ll get a little run just for his all-over-the-field play in the Huskies’ stunning 16-13 upset of USC. Second in the Pac-10 in tackles, no one has more solo stops in the league this season than Foster with 58. Odds: 15-1
Kenny Rowe, Oregon: The Ducks’ defense has played too well this season not to have someone on this list. Problem is, it’s a no-name group with the exception of cornerback Walter Thurmond and safety T.J. Ward, and they’ve missed most of the season with injuries. Rowe, a defensive end, seems to be in the middle of a lot of plays, and is a prominent playmaker, with seven sacks and three forced fumbles. Odds: 20-1
Long shots
Reggie Carter, UCLA: He seemed to be a top-3 candidate for this award coming into the season, but the Bruins’ defense has been anything but stellar during Pac-10 play. Maybe it’s not Carter’s fault, but he is the team leader on defense. Fair or not, some of that is on Carter. Odds: 25-1
Everson Griffen, USC: Hard to keep the Pac-10 sack leader off this list, and like Mays, a physical specimen. Still, the standards at USC are so high, it’s possible coaches might hold the Trojans’ pedestrian defensive performances against some players when it comes to voting for this award. Odds: 35-1
Rahim Moore, UCLA: Another Pac-10 leader, this one with eight interceptions, double the total of the next best player. Good player, but how much does he benefit from teams throwing away from cornerback teammate Alterraun Verner? Odds: 50-1
Thomas Keiser, Stanford: He could be among two or three favorites for this award in 2010. A sophomore sack master who is on the verge of something big. Odds: 75-1
Mason Foster, Washington: The centerpiece of the Pac-10’s most talked-about play this season, his foot-tip interception against Arizona that won the game. But upon further inspection, this guy is quite the playmaker. He’s the only Pac-10 player to rank among the top 10 in tackles, passes defended, interceptions and forced fumbles. Odds: 100-1
John Boyett, Oregon: No way a freshman wins this award, but just thought I’d throw a shoutout to a first-year kid having a great season. Odds: 200-1
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