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2015 Pac-12 breakout stars

Watch out for these players to make major names for themselves in 2015.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona - Derrick Turituri Jr. LB

A massive (6'1 265) presence, I think Turituri is really going to benefit from playing next to the nation's best linebacker Scooby Wright. I think he will use his size to do damage in opponents' backfields in 2015 with offenses likely focused in so much on Wright.

Arizona State - Kalen Ballage So. RB/LB

Ballage is a freaky athlete that checks in at 6'3 220 but has clocked sub-4.4 40s. He showed some flashes of what he can do as a freshman, but I think we will see a lot more of him in 2015 and it looks like he could be the Pac-12's next two-way star as Arizona State looks to use him as a pass rusher.

Cal - Michael Barton Jr. LB

Barton has made a lot of tackles and earner honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors as a sophomore, but I think he is ready to make the step forward to being Cal's first defensive star in a long time.

Colorado - Phillip Lindsay So. RB

Lindsay is a small (5'8 175) speedster that looks like he could be a scatback who would provide an excellent complement to the powerful Christian Powell. He could be the big play field-stretcher the Buffs are looking for.

Oregon - Tyrell Crosby So. T

Crosby could easily be the next Oregon All-American offensive lineman. He was thrown to the fire early as a true freshman against Michigan State and played like a veteran right away.

Oregon State - Seth Collins Fr. QB

I think the true freshman will win Oregon State's starting job and even if he has the growing pains that all true freshman QBs do, he will make some star-worthy plays. Anyone who saw Collins' performance in the Beavers' spring game saw flashes of what could turn him into a quick star in the Pac-12.

Stanford - Solomon Thomas So. DE

The Cardinal lost every starter from their defensive line, but Thomas is a supreme talent waiting in the wings that impressed this spring. He might be the more purely talented than a lot of the familiar names that have started one the dline for the Cardinal the past few seasons and could be an upgrade in the long run.

UCLA - Josh Rosen Fr. QB

Rosen is one of the most-hyped quarterbacks to recently sign in the Pac-12 and he showed why in the spring, grabbing an early lead for the starting job. I think he will have a similar year to the one Matt Barkley had a true freshman and maybe even better.

USC - Steven Mitchell So. WR

The Trojans desperately need a standout to complement Juju Smith and Mitchell looked like he could be just that guy in the spring. A smaller speedster, Mitchell showed some flashed of his ability as a true freshman but now will have a great chance to shine as a potential starter.

Utah - Lowell Lotulelei So. DT

Some may already be familiar with Star Lotulelei's little brother as he had a fantastic freshman year and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. I think he starts to turn into an All-American as a sophomore.

Washington - Sidney Jones So. CB

Safety Budda Baker may get the most attention as the Huskies' most promising young defensive back, but I like Jones even more. He is a long athlete with aggressive ball skills that could be the next Desmond Trufant or Marcus Peters for the Huskies as a lockdown corner.

Washington State - Marcellus Pippins So. CB

Pippins didn't play till the very end of 2014, but he made an impression in just a few games. He will assuredly get a ton of reps defending passes and top receivers in practice with Cougars and it should help turn him into a star cornerback.