Jack Follman's preseason All-Pac-12 Teams: Four teams loaded with talent

First Team

Offense

QB Marcus Mariota Jr. Oregon

Hard to argue against this one. The only real question going into seems to be whether or not Mariota or Jameis Winston is the first-team All-American quarterback. I'm a little bit less big on Mariota than most, but there is still no questioning his place as the Pac-12's top quarterback going into the season.

RB Byron Marshall Jr. Oregon

Pretty much the unquestioned top back returning to the conference, Marshall is more of a tough runner than some of the other recent Duck top backs and seemed to really improve as 2014 moved on. I would be surprised if he doesn't rack up at least 1,500 yards this season.

RB Javorious Allen Jr. USC

The most productive of USC's deadly trio of running backs, Allen is a pass-catching weapon along with being a talented runner. It is going to be exciting to see what he can do in Steve Sarkisian's up-tempo offense.

WR Ty Montgomery Sr. Stanford

The rare receiver that has the elite speed to run past defensive backs and burn you deep, but at 6'2 215, can catch a quick slant and run over defenders as well. Expect to see a lot of him in 2014 with Stanford breaking in a new set of offensive linemen and running backs.

WR Jaelen Strong Jr. Arizona State

A lankier Montgomery, Strong is the kind of big, speedy receiver that Taylor Kelly can go to again and again for first downs, but can also burst out with the big play. He has first round potential and should finish with around 1,500 yards and more than 10 touchdowns this season.

TE Connor Hamlett Sr. Oregon State

It is a weak year for tight ends in the conference, but that doesn't mean that Hamlett isn't a legit talent. He is a superb pass catcher that can stretch the field down the middle and should catch a ton of passes in 2014 with Brandin Cooks off to the NFL.

OL Hroniss Grasu Sr. Oregon

The leader of the veteran Duck offensive line, Grasu is perfect in their scheme as a quick lineman that can get downfield and spring open lanes for runners. He is one of those players that seems like he has been a stud in the Pac-12 for ages and is good enough to be the first center taken in next year's draft.

OL Andrus Peat Jr. Stanford

Peat is a long, athletic specimen that has first overall pick potential and could be as good (if not better) than any of the recent Stanford All-American offensive linemen if he keeps developing. I expect him to do just that and be the best offensive lineman in the conference by the end of the season.

OL Jamil Douglas Sr. Arizona State

A versatile, underrated linemen, Douglas got second-team All-Pac-12 last year and should quietly be on the first team this year. He isn't a flashy talent like Peat, but he is a warrior up front that paves the way for Arizona State's run game and protects Taylor Kelly.

OL Isaac Seumalo Jr. Oregon State

The former five-star recruit has lived up to his hype and been nothing but a polished rock during his time and Oregon State. Don't be surprised if he keeps developing and edges out Grasu as the conference's and the nation's top center at the end of the season.

OL Max Tuerk Jr. USC

Another standout at center, Tuerk recently moved to the position and is a longer athlete at 6'6. He is another guy with first round potential that will be an interesting player at center in USC's line and I expect to continue to excel.

Defense

DL Leonard Williams Jr. USC

Not much to say about this guy that hasn't already been said. Almost never see a guy like him who can play tackle and end at an All-American level. Has the chance to have a Steve Emtman, Ndamukong Suh-level season next year.

DL Henry Anderson Sr. Stanford

Can't wait to see this guy fully healthy as the next 6‘6 monster to take top billing in Stanford's defense and fill Trent Murphy's role as their best pass rusher. He has that rare ability to check in at nearly 300 pounds and hold up well against the run, but still be a major pass rusher.

DL Hau'oli Kikaha Sr. Washington

The conference's best returning pure pass rusher, Kikaha was a sack machine last year and has the ability to take over a game when he gets hot. What I also like about him is that he has the bulk to stand up against the run and help out Danny Shelton...

DL Danny Shelton Sr. Washington

Probably the best pure run stuffer in the conference, Shelton gets might vote for the Pac-12's nastiest player in 2014. He is the kind of player that I imagine opposing offensive linemen dread having to go up against for four quarters.

LB Hayes Pullard Sr. USC

Gets lost in a lot of the hype about his teammate Williams and conference mate linebacker Jack, but for my money, he is the Pac-12's best pure linebacker. A big-hitting leader in the middle, Pullard isn't flashy but gets the job done.

LB Myles Jack So. UCLA

I know that I continually have been saying that Jack is overrated, but that doesn't mean that I still don't think he is a helluva talent and one of the best linebackers in the conference. He brings his playmaker mentality towards the position and is the rare kind of talent that is just as good against the pass as he is the run as a linebacker.

LB Eric Kendricks Sr. UCLA

Jack's linebacker mate doesn't get the attention that he deserves as a tackling machine that is the steady backbone for the Bruin defense. I expect that to change as long as the Bruins have the season that they should have and he ends up getting a lot of accolades as the veteran leader of the defense.

DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Sr. Oregon

Everyone knows by now that Ekpre-Olomu has a hard to pronounce name and probably would have been a first round pick if he had declared after his junior season. There isn't much more to be said about a guy who is as physical of a cornerback as I have ever seen in the conference.

DB Marcus Peters Jr. Washington

Could very well end up being more highly-regarded than Ekpre-Olomu by the end of the season as a speedy, but big and physical cornerback with a nose for the ball. He has a knack for creating turnovers and will be helped by a great front seven for Washington in 2014.

DB Jordan Richards Sr. Stanford

The enforcer at the back of the Stanford defense, expect another year of him making the middle a scary place for Stanford opponents to go. One of the most-seasoned defenders in the conference, his veteran leadership in the back of the Cardinal defense will be a major asset.

DB Steven Nelson Sr. Oregon State

His value might be a bit overinflated by how many interceptions he grabbed in 2013, but that's just what we do as sports media. He will become the Beavers' lock down corner now with Rashaad Reynolds graduated.

Special Teams

K Zane Gonzalez So. Arizona State

Was the best kicker in the Conference last year as a freshman.

P Tom Hackett Jr. Utah

I'm going to be honest, I just rank punters by their stats and Hackett is the tops.

R Ty Montgomery Sr. Stanford

I wonder if Montgomery won't get a lot of work in the return game this season since he is injured going in, but if he does, he is the best in the conference.

2^nd Team

Offense

QB Brett Hundley Jr. UCLA

Would normally be first team All-Pac-12 most years, but re: Mariota. Regardless a ridiculous talent who I think puts it all together this year aided by a an improved supporting cast on offense.

RB D.J. Foster Jr. Arizona State

A player that is ready to explode, Foster is as good of a pass-catching running back as I have seen in a long time in the Pac-12. He might actually be the best overall running back in the conference when it is all said and done.

RB Thomas Tyner So. Oregon

Tyner took a while to get going in 2013, but I expect him to break out as the Ducks' home run hitter in 2013. Wouldn't be surprised if he cracks the 1,000-yard barrier and much more.

WR Dres Anderson Sr. Utah

Quietly had more than 1,000 yards receiving last year as one of the conference's best big play targets. Expect him to do more of the same in 2014, especially if Kenneth Scott and Travis Wilson can stay healthy around him.

WR Nelson Agholor Jr. USC

Agholor is a bit of a guy who gets accolades for his potential more than his production, but I anticipate him finally having his production match potential this year as USC's lead receiver. I don't know if he is Robert Woods or Marqise Lee, but he easily could be the best receiver in the conference if he does in fact put it all together.

TE De'Marieya Nelson Sr. Arizona State

Nelson was more of a utility back in 2013, but with Chris Coyle graduated, expect him to be more of a tight end in 2014 and one of the best in the conference. His versatility and athleticism along with help from a great supporting cast should turn him into an all-conference type player.

OL Tyler Johnstone Jr. Oregon

Going to be coming back from a major knee injury in the Alamo Bowl, but I don't know why this guy hasn't gotten more accolades throughout his career as the quintessential Oregon lineman who is long athletic and deadly on the edge. If he can come back 100 percent, is a guy who could sneak onto first team ahead of one of the more flashy linemen.

OL Jake Fisher Sr. Oregon

Another Oregon lineman who doesn't seem to get many accolades despite protecting Mariota exquisitely and paves the way for endless rushing yards. He also has more nasty than about any offensive lineman in the conference and that goes a long ways in my book.

OL Dexter Charles Jr. Washington

Charles is a big lineman that can move and a big reason why Bishop Sankey tallied up huge yards the past two seasons. Surrounded by veterans on the Husky offensive line, Charles is actually the most talented of the group and can frequently be seen downfield opening up holes.

OL Malcolm Bunche Sr. UCLA

A transfer for Miami, the former Hurricane starter and All-ACC talent should step in right away and be a standout on the Bruin offense. With his size and proven polish, he should make a major difference up front.

OL Jake Brendel Jr. UCLA

A three-year starter now for the Bruins, Brendel gets lost in the shuffle of ultra-talented centers in the conference, but is becoming a great one. A tough player in the middle, he is excellent in run blocking and quickly becoming one of the conference's best offensive linemen.

Defense

DL David Parry Sr. Stanford

A gritty nose guard that might be my favorite defensive linemen in the conference as a warrior that plugs up the middle. He might not get the All-American accolades of some of the Stanford stars around him, but in my opinion he is just as valuable to their success.

DL Tony Washington Sr. Oregon

An OLB/DE hybrid, Washington is just another excellent edge rusher for the Ducks in a long line of guys who are skilled at getting to the quarterback. He may be a little one dimensional, but it is quite a dimension as one of the conference's best pure pass rushers.

DL Ellis McCarthy Jr. UCLA

A guy who maybe hasn't quite fulfilled his potential who I expect to step up this year. He is a much bigger, much athletic version of Leonard Williams who can play at different spots along the line and I am excited to see if he can put it all together and be a first-team-level player.

DL Eddie Vanderdoes So. UCLA

Vanderdoes has even more potential than McCarthy and could be a better candidate to become a first-team All-American, let alone all-conference player. It is rare to find a guy with his size and athleticism and could be UCLA's version of Leonard Williams pretty soon.

LB A.J. Tarpley Sr. Stanford

Trent Murphy and Shayne Skov may be off to the NFL, but Tarpley has quietly been a stud for the Cardinal at linebacker the past couple of years as well. Expect him to fill right in for Murphy and Skov and fulfill his destiny as the next great leader at linebacker for the Cardinal.

LB Shaq Thompson Jr. Washington

People need to slow down a bit on Thompson before he proves more as I have seen some rank him as the top outside linebacker in the nation, but he is still a special talent. He could quickly become the top linebacker in the conference, but for right now, I would only put him as a second-team-level standout.

LB Derrick Malone Sr. Oregon

Speedy and underrated, Malone is going to have to do a lot in the Ducks' front seven after losing both starting tackles that played in front of him, but he should be up to the task. Sideline to sideline, he is about as good as it gets.

DB Jared Tevis Sr. Arizona

Seems like he has been around forever as the heart and soul of an improving Arizona defense. As a rock in the back of the defense, he is one of the reasons why the Wildcats could surprise on defense in 2014.

DB Su'a Cravens So. USC

Another up and comer who could be the best player at his position in the near future, but hasn't proven it yet. I'm not big on handing out pre-season accolades based on potential and I understand that I might end up looking dumb by not doing that, but like Thompson, right now I am holding off of rating Cravens higher than more-proven players.

DB Alex Carter Jr. Stanford

Physically, maybe the best cornerback in the conference, Carter is starting to put it all together as an overall player and that is a scary thought. If he continues to develop as a pass defender, he could be a lock down corner and first round pick in 2015.

DB Josh Shaw Sr. USC

Another guy with first round talent that is just starting to put it together, Shaw is big fast and athletic. I expect him to continue progressing and become one of the top corners in the conference as a senior.

Special Teams

K Andy Phillips So. Utah

Another standout freshman kicker who will likely be All-Pac-12 for a long time.

P Cole Leininger Jr. Cal

See first-team punter, same setup.

R Nelson Agholor Jr. USC

A dangerous returner, locked in this spot with Bralon Addison's injury.

3^rd Team

Offense

QB Taylor Kelly Sr. Arizona State

RB Tre Madden Jr. USC

RB Jordon James Sr. UCLA

WR Austin Hill Sr. Arizona

WR Gabe Marks Jr. Washington State

TE Johnny Mundt So. Oregon

OL Micah Hatchie Sr. Washington

OL Mike Criste Sr. Washington

OL Ben Riva Sr. Washington

OL Alex Redmond So. UCLA

OL Mickey Baucus Sr. Arizona

Defense

DL Xavier Cooper Jr. Washington State

DL Nate Orchard Sr. Utah

DL Jaxon Hood Jr. Arizona State

DL Blake Leuders Sr. Stanford

LB John Timu Sr. Washington

LB Jason Whittingham Jr. Utah

LB J.R. Tavai Sr. USC

DB Brian Blechen Sr. Utah

DB Ryan Murphy Sr. Oregon State

DB Anthony Jefferson Sr. UCLA

DB Randall Goforth Jr. UCLA

Special Teams

K Jordan Williamson Sr. Stanford

P Ben Rhyne Sr. Stanford

R John Ross So. Washington

Fourth Team

Offense

QB Sean Mannion Sr. Oregon State

RB Paul Perkins So. UCLA

RB Michael Adkins II So. Colorado

WR Chris Harper Jr. Cal

WR Nate Phillips So. Arizona

TE Randall Telfer Sr. USC

OL Fabbians Ebbele Sr. Arizona

OL Cameron Hunt So. Oregon

OL Jeremiah Poutasi Jr. Utah

OL Daniel Munyer Sr. Colorado

OL Kyle Murphy Jr. Stanford

Defense

DL Kenny Clark So. UCLA

DL Owamagbe Odighizuwa Sr. UCLA

DL Antwaun Woods Jr. USC

DL Dylan Wynn Sr. Oregon State

LB Darryl Monroe Jr. Washington State

LB Addison Gillam So. Colorado

LB Scooby Wright So. Arizona

DB Fabian Moreau Jr. UCLA

DB Jonathan McKnight Sr. Arizona

DB Tyrequek Zimmerman Sr. Oregon State

DB Eric Rowe Sr. Utah

Special Teams

K Trevor Romaine Sr. Oregon State

P Sean Covington So. UCLA

R Victor Bolden So. Oregon State