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Top 50 2019 Pac-12 players 1-5: Laviska Shenault is the best player in the Pac-12

We finish our countdown of the Pac-12’s top players going into 2019.

NCAA Football: Colorado at California John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

5. Joshua Kelley Sr. RB UCLA - Kelley came out of nowhere a little way into 2019 and turned into one of the Pac-12’s best running backs. I think Chip Kelly will ride him for a lot of yards and touchdowns in 2019 the way he did against USC last year. UCLA scored big when he put off the NFL for a year.

4. Julian Blackmon Sr. S Utah - Blackmon was in the conversation about the Pac-12’s best cornerback and now he’s moving back to safety where he’ll be an excellent pass defender and we’ll be reminded how physical of a player he is again. He’s the senior leader of the conference’s best defense and should rack up tackles and pass break ups along with ints in 2019.

3. Eno Benjamin Jr. RB Arizona State - Benjamin exploded last year in Herm Edwards’ first season and became an All-American candidate. He should crack 1,500 yards again this year and carry the Sun Devil offense. Without question the top running back in the Pac-12 and a guy who might even test 2,000 if ASU’s offense clicks enough without N’Keal Harry.

2. Jaylon Johnson Jr. CB Utah - Johnson may have been a first round pick in 2019 had he been able to declare for the draft. He’s that good of a player as a 6’1, physical corner with great ball skills. He should take home Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.

  1. Laviska Shenault Jr. WR Colorado - Let’s hope we can get the Shenault of the first half of 2018 who was a legit Heisman candidate and torching defenses. I think we do as long as he is healthy and we a player who is basically somehow a better version of N’Keal Harry. He at least should be the most-fun player to watch in the Pac-12 in 2019.