2017 Pac-12 underclassmen to watch for the 2018 NFL Draft

Whether or not underclassmen declare for the draft at the end of the season is one of the most-important things in college football these days. With that in mind, here are the Pac-12 underclassmen to keep an eye on in 2017 to see if they will decide to take the leap or not at the end of the season.

Arizona State

JoJo Wicker Jr. DE

The Sun Devils only have one real player to keep an eye on. Wicker is 6’3 275 and was second-team All-Pac-12 in 2016. He’s an NFL style edge player who already has the size to make the jump.

Oregon State

Ryan Nall Jr. RB Oregon State

Nall isn’t going to blow anyone away with a 40 time, but a 6’2 235 running back with nearly 1,500 yards rushing and more than 300 receiving and 18 touchdowns in just two seasons who runs tough will have to at least think hard about the NFL as long as he keeps things humming.

Stanford

Bryce Love Jr. RB Stanford

Dalton Schultz Sr. TE Stanford

Joey Alfieri Sr. LB Stanford

Harrison Phillips Sr. DT Stanford

Quenton Meeks Jr. CB Stanford

Justin Reid Jr. S Stanford

Stanford’s underclassmen can be hard to gauge because they list players by academic year, but I think this is accurate. Love has the tools to be the next Stanford back to hit the NFL, he just needs to get a full season as the guy. Schultz is expected to be the next Cardinal NFL tight end, and he could jump after 17 if he becomes that. Alfieri is a big linebacker with NFL size who might be ready if he puts together and All-Pac-12 season and the same could be said for Phillips, but on the defensive line. Meeks could be the Pac-12’s best cornerback who has the potential to be the first corner off the board in 2018 with a good enough season. Reid could think about the leap if he has another All-Pac-12 season.

UCLA

Josh Rosen Jr. QB UCLA

It’s a rare year recently when UCLA doesn’t have a glut of players who could leave early. Rosen is the only obvious candidate and a very obvious candidate. He has first overall potential if he puts together the season he has the potential to in 2017.

USC

Sam Darnold So. QB USC

Ronald Jones Jr. RB USC

Deontay Burnett Jr. WR USC

Daniel Imatorbhebhe So. TE USC

Porter Gustin Jr. DE USCRasheem Green Jr. DT USC

Cameron Smith Jr. LB USC

Iman Marshall Jr. CB USC

The Trojans are loaded with underclassmen talent. Darnold seems to be the odds on choice for the number one pick in 2018 as long as he declares. Jones should be gone with another 1,000 season. Burnett blew up in the Rose Bowl and could ride that into a season in 2017 that could warrant leaving early. Imatorbhebhe might test the waters because he is a transfer who has been in college for a while. Gustin and Green are borderline first/second round picks depending on how well they play in 2017. Smith might be the draft’s top inside linebacker prospect. Marshall is another guy who could be the first cornerback taken.

Utah

Chad Hansen Jr. S Utah

Former quarterback Hansen is huge at 6’3 220 with great instincts. He could jump if he has a big enough season.

Washington

Jake Browning Jr. QB Washington

Myles Gaskin Jr. RB Washington

Trey Adams Jr. T Washington

Vita Vea Jr. DT Washington

Greg Gaines Jr. DT Washington

The Huskies may lose a few underclassmen again. Browning is a questionable NFL prospect, but some have him pegged as a decent draft pick, so he could declare after a good enough season. Like Browning, Gaskin is small for an NFL prospect, but he is a running back who will have a lot of mileage and little to prove, so I could easily see him jumping after another 1,000-yard season. The 6’8 320 Adams might jump if he can hold his stock at 1st/2nd round. Vea is in his fifth year since high school and I think is all but gone. Gaines isn’t a great NFL prospect, but a 6’2 320 player who should be first-team All-Pac-12 will have to think about the next level.

Washington State

Tavares Martin Jr. Jr. WR Washington State

Hercules Mata’afa Jr. DE Washington State

The long and athletic Martin should consider the draft if he cracks the 1,000-yard mark. Mata’afa isn’t the biggest prospect, so he might be a player who comes back for another year even if he has a big junior season.