No conference in college football has been more impacted by realignment than the Pac-12. Arguably the best conference in all of college football last season, sweeping changes arrived this summer. UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington moved to the Big Ten. Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado moved to the Big 12. Stanford and Cal moved to the ACC. Just Washington State and Oregon State remain.
Additional changes will eventually arrive. In the meantime, we've identified 10 Pac-12 prospects worth monitoring this campaign.
Zevi Eckhaus, QB, Washington State
Bryant Bulldogs transfer QB Zevi Eckhaus is entwined in competition with mainstay John Mateer to replace Cam Ward as the Cougars' starting quarterback. Mateer may have the advantage of familiarity, but Eckhaus is a higher-upside player. He was named last season’s Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the 2023 Walter Payton Award after matching Bryant's single-season school record for touchdown passes with 28.
Anthony Hankerson, RB, Oregon State
Anthony Hankerson transferred to Oregon State from Colorado in search of more playing time. The undersized playmaker (5-foot-9) will be a potential game-changer for the Cougars’ offense in the passing game. Hankerson totaled 390 yards of offense and two touchdowns in limited opportunities with the Buffaloes in 2023.
Darrius Clemons, WR, Oregon State
There's an opportunity in Washington State's wideout room for Michigan transfer Darrius Clemons to establish himself as a go-to threat this season. Clemons is a big-bodied boundary playmaker (listed at 6-foot-3) who hardly got on the field for the Wolverines in 2022 and 2023, but there's untapped potential here.
Kapena Gushiken, CB, Washington State
The 2023 Cougars lost a pair of defensive backs to the NFL draft in Jaden Hicks and Chau Smith-Wade. Nickel corner Kapena Gushiken appears primed to step up in their void. Gushiken accumulated six pass breakups and one interception in 12 appearances last season.
Tyson Durant, SAF, Washington State
It’s Akron transfer Tyson Durant that will be tasked with replacing Hicks. Durant was very productive for the Zips last season, totaling 33 tackles and eight passes defensed. He also arrives at Washington State with five career interceptions.
Tygee Hill, DT, Oregon State
Tygee Hill was stuck behind draftable talents in Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo at LSU last season. His transfer to Oregon State should boost the defense's run-stopping efforts in 2024. Hill will team up with another transfer, Jacob Schuster from Minnesota, to dominate interior snaps.
Melvin Jordan IV, LB, Oregon State
Sophomore off-ball linebacker Melvin Jordan IV has breakout potential this season. Jordan appeared in 13 games in 2023 but made his debut as a starter in the Sun Bowl versus Notre Dame. He showcased sideline-to-sideline ability, totaling five tackles, two for a loss.
Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Kyle Williams is Washington State's top returning receiver. The Inglewood, California native produced 61 catches for 842 yards and six touchdowns last season. Comfortable surroundings with head coach Jake Dickert could lead to another fruitful season for Williams.
Kobe Singleton, CB, Oregon State
Kobe Singleton earned First-Team All-Conference USA honors at Liberty last season. The Tallahassee native was a ball magnet that racked up 16 passes defensed and four interceptions. He'll attempt to establish himself in a Beavers secondary that lost Kitan Oladapo to the NFL draft.
Zachary Card, WR, Oregon State
Zachary Card is a speedy and explosive playmaker. He appeared in just four contests throughout 2023 but could be destined for the Anthony Gould role this year. Gould produced 718 receiving yards last season, so there's potential for Card to accumulate big-time numbers.
