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2018 preseason Top Pac-12 WR/TE groups: Stanford and Arizona State have best groups in conference

Ranking the Pac-12’s WR/TE units

By Jack Follman
Valero Alamo Bowl - Stanford v TCU Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images
  1. Stanford (WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside Sr. WR Trenton Irwin Sr. WR Connor Wedington Jr. TE Kaden Smith Jr. TE Colby Parkinson So.) Stanford being here is mainly a testament to how bad this year’s crop of WR/TE groups in the Pac-12 is, but it also has a bit to do with Stanford having a nice group. JJAW is a massive red zone nightmare, Irwin a good possession receiver and Smith and Parkinson a top flight TE combo.
  2. Arizona State (WR N’Keal Harry Jr. WR Kyle Williams Jr. WR John Humphrey Jr. TE Ceejhay French-Love Sr.) Harry is the conference’s best receiver and a future first round pick. The rest of the group is solid with Williams and Humphrey maybe the conference’s best number and number three receivers.
  3. Cal (WR Vic Wharton III Sr. WR Kanawai Noa Jr. WR Jeremiah Hawkins So. TE Ray Hudson Sr.) This group took a huge hit when Demetris Robertson transferred, but it’s still very good as Wharton and Noa are second-team All-Pac-12-level players going into the season.
  4. USC (WR Tyler Vaughns So. WR Michael Pittman Jr. Jr. WR Velus Jones Jr. So. TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe Jr. TE Tyler Petite Sr.) Vaughns is starting to fulfill his potential and Pittman is a solid veteran. The tight end duo is one of the best in the conference.
  5. Washington (WR Chico McClatcher Jr. WR Aaron Fuller Jr. WR Andre Baccellia Jr. TE Drew Sample Sr.) The Huskies were hit hard when McClatcher went down for the season early in 2017, but he should be back healthy as their number receiver, replacing Dante Pettis. Losing tight end Hunter Bryant for the season was a brutal blow, but Sample is the best blocking tight end in the conference.
  6. Oregon (WR Dillon Mitchell Jr. WR Brenden Schooler Jr. WR Jaylon Redd So. WR Johnny Johnson III So. TE Jacob Breeland Jr.) The Ducks have a deep, young group that has a ton of potential because of the raw capabilities of players like Redd and Johnson. Breeland is turning into one of the Pac-12’s best TEs.
  7. UCLA (WR Theo Howard So. WR Christian Pabico Sr. WR Stephon Johnson Jr. TE Caleb Wilson Jr. TE Jordan Wilson So.) Another talented group led by the scary fast Howard. Caleb Wilson could have one of the biggest seasons ever by a Pac-12 tight end if he comes back healthy.
  8. Arizona (WR Shun Brown Sr. WR Tony Ellison Sr. TE Bryce Wolma So. TE Jamie Nunley So. WR Cedric Peterson Jr.) - Brown is ultra athletic and a proven pass catcher. The sophomore tight end combo of Wolma and Nunley is one to watch.
  9. Washington State (WR Kyle Sweet Sr. WR Jamire Calvin So. WR Davontavean Martin So. WR Dezmon Patmon Jr. WR Renard Bell So.) The Cougars lost some experience and talent from last year, but they still have a deep group and I would think one of these talented sophomore will make a star turn in 2018 in Mike Leach’s system.
  10. Utah (WR Siaosi Wilson Jr. WR Demari Simpkins Jr. WR Samson Nacua So. WR Bryan Thompson So.) The Utes have improved at receiver. They have big, talented pass catchers here and are deep. They could move way up these rankings if Wilson and Simpkins keep progressing.
  11. Colorado (WR Jay MacIntyre Sr. WR Juwann Winfree Sr. WR Laviska Shenault Jr. So. TE Chris Bounds Jr. WR K.D. Nixon So.) The Buffs have to rebuild a lot here, but MacIntyre is a proven veteran and there is talent across the board.
  12. Oregon State (TE Noah Togiai Jr. WR Isaiah Hodgins So. WR Timmy Hernandez Sr. TE Tuli Wily-Matagi Jr. WR Trevon Bradford Jr.) This is a pretty good group for the bottom of the rankings. Togiai is one of the Pac-12’s best tight ends.

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