The Pac-12 has had no trouble replacing talent lost due to playing eligibility, the transfer portal, or the upcoming NFL draft.
Highlighted by Colorado’s No. 1 incoming transfer class, every team in the conference reloaded in some form. Also, the Pac-12 enters spring football with arguably the most talented group of quarterbacks in the Power Five, including reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, Washington southpaw Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix and the two-timer Pac-12 Championship Game Winner Camera rises.
Still, there are plenty of new faces poised to make a big impact in 2023. Here’s a look at each Pac-12 team’s top newcomers as we head into spring football, according to ESPN:
Arizona State: QB Drew Pyne
11/26/2022; Los Angeles, California, United States; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) shake hands after the game at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The former Notre Dame QB threw for over 2,000 yards for six touchdowns last season, giving new head coach Kenny Dillingham a reliable option in the QB.
Cal: O.C. Jake Spavital
09/26/2020; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Texas State Bobcats head coach Jake Spavital reacts during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Not a player, but Spavital returns to Cal after four seasons as head coach at Texas State. He will now lead a Golden Bears offensive that is in dire need of improvement.
Arizona: DL Bill Norton, LB Daniel Heimuli, and LB Leviticus Su’a
January 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defenseman Bill Norton (45) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP College Football National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Although he didn’t play much in his four seasons in Georgia, Bill Norton expects his Arizona tenure to increase significantly. Heimuli joins the Wildcats from Washington and Su’a is a prospective four-star rookie.
Oregon: OL Ajani Cornelius
November 5, 2022; Boulder, Colo., United States; Detail view of the Oregon Ducks football before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Cornelius, a Rhode Island transfer, comes to Eugene to block for Heisman Trophy nominee Bo Nix.
Stanford: HC Troy Taylor
09/18/2021; Berkeley, California, USA; Sacramento State Hornets head coach Troy Taylor kneels on the sidelines during the second quarter against the California Golden Bears at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Another non-player, former Sacramento State head coach Troy Taylor, now leads the Cardinal. However, his first season at Stanford is expected to be a build-up year.
State of Oregon: QB DJ Uiagalelei
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney congratulates quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) on his 9-yard touchdown against NC State in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, Saturday October 1, 2022.
The Oregon State Beavers have finally filled their gap at quarterback when Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei comes to Corvallis.
UCLA: QB Dante Moore
Detroit Kings quarterback Dante Moore aims to score against Birmingham Brother Rice in the first half of the Division 3 regional championship game in Detroit on Friday, November 11, 2022.
Moore, the favorite to replace Dorian Thompson-Robinson, was recently named the 2023 All-American Bowl MVP.
USC: WR Dorian Singer
09/24/2022; Berkeley, California, United States; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Dorian Singer (5) catches a pass against California Golden Bears cornerback Lu-Magia Hearns III (15) in the fourth quarter at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
The loss of Jordan Addison and Travis Dye hurts a lot less as Arizona’s Dorian Singer is poised to become Caleb Williams’ top target next season.
Utah: WR Emery Simmons
Indiana’s Emery Simmons (0) runs after the catch during the second half of the Indiana vs. Purdue football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 26, 2022.
The four-star transfer from Indiana should give Cam Rising a reliable option at wide receivers.
Washington: RB Dillon Johnson
Mississippi State QB Will Rogers (2) passes the ball to RB Dillon Johnson (23) during Ole Miss’ Egg Bowl 2022 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, Thursday, November 24, 2022. Mississippi State beat Ole Miss by a final score from 24-22.
After having one of the best passing attacks last season, the Huskies have now brought in a former Mississippi State RB to up their running game.
Washington State: OC Ben Arbuckle
09/24/2022; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars run onto field for a game against the Oregon Ducks at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Arbuckle oversaw arguably the best offense in the Group of Five last season in western Kentucky, averaging 497.2 yards per game.
Colorado: CB Travis Hunter
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 17: Travis Hunter #12 of the Jackson State Tigers scores that crucial touchdown in the final seconds during the second half of the Cricket Celebration Bowl against Jason Chambers #28 of the North Carolina Central Eagles at Mercedes-Benz. Benz Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Finally, two-time star Travis Hunter enters the picture as Colorado’s newcomer. Expect the former five-star player to make an impression at both CBs at WR next season.
Story originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire