I have long argued that great players departing is the nature of the game in college and that the vitality of recruiting and player development as boys turn into men makes returning talent a much more salient measure of team talent than departing talent. I believe that pretty strongly, but I understand the psychology behind caring a lot who a team loses. I thought it might be interesting to look at NFL draft pick departures but also overlay that with a look at impact guys returning as measured by two things I like to look at: the all-conference team and PFF's tally of players of the week. [As always, bold indicates returning first or second team all-conference. For returning PFF accolades, I've highlighted the guys who got accolades three or more times, which makes them quite a standout]
Arizona
Drafted (0): None
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): AP/ST Samajie Grant, WR Nate Phillips, WR Trey Griffey
Returning all-conference (0): None
Departing guys accounted for 1 PFF accolade
Returning guys accounted for 5 PFF accolades
Upshot: Just a shockingly untalented, unproductive roster. These guys suck.
Arizona State
Drafted (1): K Zane Gonzalez (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (1): LB Viliami (Laiu) Moeakiola
Returning all-conference (3): DL JoJo Wicker, LB Koron Crump, WR N'Keal Harry
Departing guys accounted for 4 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 12 PFF accolades
Upshot: Way more talented than most people give them credit for. And the talent is spread out - not only are they tied for fourth in the conference in returning PFF accolades, not only are they one of half the teams in the conference that have multiple superstars (first or second team all conference) returning, but their 12 returning PFF accolades include four separate guys who made the team of the week twice. Some good players on that team especially in the defensive front seven.
Cal
Drafted (3): QB Davis Webb (3rd), WR Chad Hansen (4th), RB Khalfani Muhammed (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (1): OL Steven Moore
Returning all-conference (2): DL James Looney, K Matt Anderson
Departing guys accounted for 10 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 10 PFF accolades
Upshot: Kind of treading water talent-wise.
Colorado
Drafted (4): DB Chidobe Awuzie (2nd), DB Ahkello Witherspoon (2nd), DB Tedric Thompson (4th), DL Jordan Carrell (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (5): LB Jimmie Gilbert, OL Alex Kelley, QB Sefo Liufau, LB Kenneth Olugbode, DL Josh Tupou
Returning all-conference (7): RB Phillip Lindsay, OL Jeromy Irwin, ST Ryan Moeller, WR Bryce Bobo, WR Shay Fields, WR Devin Ross, OL Gerrad Kough
Departing guys accounted for 18 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 11 PFF accolades
Upshot: Tons of talent lost, a lot of talent returning. Seem very likely to take a step back from last year but the offense will be great.
Oregon
Drafted (0): None
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): TE Pharaoh Brown, TE Johnny Mundt, K Matt Wogan
Returning all-conference (6): AP/ST Tony Brooks-James, RB Royce Freeman, OL Jake Hanson, OL Calvin Throckmorton, LB Troy Dye, RS Charles Nelson
Departing guys accounted for 5 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 8 PFF accolades
Upshot: Last year was a shockingly low level of talent for Oregon and this seems like it will be a better year. But Taggart needs to address Helfrich's failures in recruiting.
Oregon State
Drafted (2): OL Sean Harlow (4th), DB Treston DeCoud (5th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (0): None
Returning all-conference (3): RB Ryan Nall, OL Gus Lavaka, DB Xavier Crawford
Departing guys accounted for 5 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 4 PFF accolades
Upshot: By reputation (all-conference) they seem more talented than Arizona, but if you listen to the PFF nerds that's actually not clear. Not a good roster.
Stanford
Drafted (2): DL Solomon Thomas (1st), RB Christian McCaffrey (1st)
Departing all-conference undrafted (2): DB Dallas Lloyd, K Conrad Ukropina
Returning all-conference (9): RB Bryce Love, TE Dalton Schultz, DL Harrison Phillips, LB Joey Alfieri, LB Kevin Palma, DB Quenton Meeks, DB Justin Reid, P Jake Bailey, ST Brandon Simmons
Departing guys accounted for 11 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 14 PFF accolades (including three-timer Jesse Burkett)
Upshot: We know this, but Stanford has a ton of talent returning. Problem is that two teams in our division do too and we look a lot less impressive at the superstar level.
UCLA
Drafted (5): LB/DL Takkarist McKinley (1st), DB Fabian Moreau (3rd), DL Eddie Vanderdoes (3rd), LB Jayon Brown (5th), OL Conor McDermott (6th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (2): TE Nate Iese, DB Randall Goforth
Returning all-conference (4): OL Scott Quessenberry, LB Kenny Young, WR Darren Andrews, DB Jaleel Wadood
Departing guys accounted for 14 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 11 PFF accolades (including four-timer Adarius Pickett)
Upshot: Still lots of talent in Westwood, but they always under-perform the talent.
USC
Drafted (5): DB Adoree' Jackson (1st), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (2nd), OL Zach Banner (4th), DB Leon McQuay III (6th), DL Stevie Tu'ikolovatu (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (4): OL Damien Mama (after an early departure...ouch), OL Chad Wheeler, LB Michael Hutchings, WR Darreus Rogers
Returning all-conference (8): RB Ronald Jones III, LB Cameron Smith, QB Sam Darnold, TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe, DL Rasheem Green, DL Porter Gustin, DB Chris Hawkins, DB Imam Marshall
Departing guys accounted for 14 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 13 PFF accolades
Upshot: Lost a lot, return a lot. It's USC.
Utah
Drafted (8): OL Garett Bolles (1st), DB Marcus Williams (2nd), RB Joe Williams (4th), OL Isaac Asiata (5th), DB Brian Allen (5th), OL JJ Dielman (5th), OL Sam Tevi (6th), LB/DL Pita Taumopenu (6th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): DL Hunter Dimick, K Andy Phillips, DL Pasoni Tasini
Returning all-conference (4): P Mitch Wishnowsky, DL Lowell Lotulelei, DL Filipo Mokofisi, DB Chase Hansen
Departing guys accounted for 16 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 3 PFF accolades
Upshot: I stand by my earlier comments about Utah having one of the best defensive lines in the conference, but the PFF measure makes it look like they were gutted by graduations/departures, as Hulk said. They tend to have an older roster and JC transfers/LDS missionaries emerging into late career roles, but nonetheless this roster may be less talented than I thought.
Washington
Drafted (5): WR John Ross (1st), DB Kevin King (2nd), DB Budda Baker (2nd), DB Sidney Jones (2nd), DL Elijah Qualls (6th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): OL Jake Eldrenkamp, TE Darrell Daniels, LB Psalm Wooching
Returning all-conference (10): QB Jake Browning, RB Myles Gaskin, OL Trey Adams, OL Coleman Shelton, DL Vita Vea, LB Azeem Victor, LB Keishawn Bierra, RS Dante Pettis, TE Drew Sample, DL Greg Gaines
Departing guys accounted for 20 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 22 PFF accolades (including three-timer Jake Browning, three-timer Elijah Qualls, and three-timer Dante Pettis)
Upshot: Playoff contender.
Washington State
Drafted (1): DB Shalom Luani (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): WR Gabe Marks, WR River Cracraft, OL Riley Sorensen
Returning all-conference (6): QB Luke Falk, DL Hercules Mata'afa, RB Jamal Morrow, OL Cole Madison, OL Cody O'Connell, LB Peyton Pelluer
Departing guys accounted for 11 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 20 PFF accolades (including five-timer Cody O'Connell, four-timer Cole Madison, and three-timer Hercules Mata'afa)
Upshot: Why are people positing that Washington State will regress? This team looks like arguably the second best in the Pac-12 by returning talent measures and certainly a top four contender type.
Arizona
Drafted (0): None
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): AP/ST Samajie Grant, WR Nate Phillips, WR Trey Griffey
Returning all-conference (0): None
Departing guys accounted for 1 PFF accolade
Returning guys accounted for 5 PFF accolades
Upshot: Just a shockingly untalented, unproductive roster. These guys suck.
Arizona State
Drafted (1): K Zane Gonzalez (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (1): LB Viliami (Laiu) Moeakiola
Returning all-conference (3): DL JoJo Wicker, LB Koron Crump, WR N'Keal Harry
Departing guys accounted for 4 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 12 PFF accolades
Upshot: Way more talented than most people give them credit for. And the talent is spread out - not only are they tied for fourth in the conference in returning PFF accolades, not only are they one of half the teams in the conference that have multiple superstars (first or second team all conference) returning, but their 12 returning PFF accolades include four separate guys who made the team of the week twice. Some good players on that team especially in the defensive front seven.
Cal
Drafted (3): QB Davis Webb (3rd), WR Chad Hansen (4th), RB Khalfani Muhammed (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (1): OL Steven Moore
Returning all-conference (2): DL James Looney, K Matt Anderson
Departing guys accounted for 10 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 10 PFF accolades
Upshot: Kind of treading water talent-wise.
Colorado
Drafted (4): DB Chidobe Awuzie (2nd), DB Ahkello Witherspoon (2nd), DB Tedric Thompson (4th), DL Jordan Carrell (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (5): LB Jimmie Gilbert, OL Alex Kelley, QB Sefo Liufau, LB Kenneth Olugbode, DL Josh Tupou
Returning all-conference (7): RB Phillip Lindsay, OL Jeromy Irwin, ST Ryan Moeller, WR Bryce Bobo, WR Shay Fields, WR Devin Ross, OL Gerrad Kough
Departing guys accounted for 18 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 11 PFF accolades
Upshot: Tons of talent lost, a lot of talent returning. Seem very likely to take a step back from last year but the offense will be great.
Oregon
Drafted (0): None
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): TE Pharaoh Brown, TE Johnny Mundt, K Matt Wogan
Returning all-conference (6): AP/ST Tony Brooks-James, RB Royce Freeman, OL Jake Hanson, OL Calvin Throckmorton, LB Troy Dye, RS Charles Nelson
Departing guys accounted for 5 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 8 PFF accolades
Upshot: Last year was a shockingly low level of talent for Oregon and this seems like it will be a better year. But Taggart needs to address Helfrich's failures in recruiting.
Oregon State
Drafted (2): OL Sean Harlow (4th), DB Treston DeCoud (5th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (0): None
Returning all-conference (3): RB Ryan Nall, OL Gus Lavaka, DB Xavier Crawford
Departing guys accounted for 5 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 4 PFF accolades
Upshot: By reputation (all-conference) they seem more talented than Arizona, but if you listen to the PFF nerds that's actually not clear. Not a good roster.
Stanford
Drafted (2): DL Solomon Thomas (1st), RB Christian McCaffrey (1st)
Departing all-conference undrafted (2): DB Dallas Lloyd, K Conrad Ukropina
Returning all-conference (9): RB Bryce Love, TE Dalton Schultz, DL Harrison Phillips, LB Joey Alfieri, LB Kevin Palma, DB Quenton Meeks, DB Justin Reid, P Jake Bailey, ST Brandon Simmons
Departing guys accounted for 11 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 14 PFF accolades (including three-timer Jesse Burkett)
Upshot: We know this, but Stanford has a ton of talent returning. Problem is that two teams in our division do too and we look a lot less impressive at the superstar level.
UCLA
Drafted (5): LB/DL Takkarist McKinley (1st), DB Fabian Moreau (3rd), DL Eddie Vanderdoes (3rd), LB Jayon Brown (5th), OL Conor McDermott (6th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (2): TE Nate Iese, DB Randall Goforth
Returning all-conference (4): OL Scott Quessenberry, LB Kenny Young, WR Darren Andrews, DB Jaleel Wadood
Departing guys accounted for 14 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 11 PFF accolades (including four-timer Adarius Pickett)
Upshot: Still lots of talent in Westwood, but they always under-perform the talent.
USC
Drafted (5): DB Adoree' Jackson (1st), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (2nd), OL Zach Banner (4th), DB Leon McQuay III (6th), DL Stevie Tu'ikolovatu (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (4): OL Damien Mama (after an early departure...ouch), OL Chad Wheeler, LB Michael Hutchings, WR Darreus Rogers
Returning all-conference (8): RB Ronald Jones III, LB Cameron Smith, QB Sam Darnold, TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe, DL Rasheem Green, DL Porter Gustin, DB Chris Hawkins, DB Imam Marshall
Departing guys accounted for 14 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 13 PFF accolades
Upshot: Lost a lot, return a lot. It's USC.
Utah
Drafted (8): OL Garett Bolles (1st), DB Marcus Williams (2nd), RB Joe Williams (4th), OL Isaac Asiata (5th), DB Brian Allen (5th), OL JJ Dielman (5th), OL Sam Tevi (6th), LB/DL Pita Taumopenu (6th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): DL Hunter Dimick, K Andy Phillips, DL Pasoni Tasini
Returning all-conference (4): P Mitch Wishnowsky, DL Lowell Lotulelei, DL Filipo Mokofisi, DB Chase Hansen
Departing guys accounted for 16 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 3 PFF accolades
Upshot: I stand by my earlier comments about Utah having one of the best defensive lines in the conference, but the PFF measure makes it look like they were gutted by graduations/departures, as Hulk said. They tend to have an older roster and JC transfers/LDS missionaries emerging into late career roles, but nonetheless this roster may be less talented than I thought.
Washington
Drafted (5): WR John Ross (1st), DB Kevin King (2nd), DB Budda Baker (2nd), DB Sidney Jones (2nd), DL Elijah Qualls (6th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): OL Jake Eldrenkamp, TE Darrell Daniels, LB Psalm Wooching
Returning all-conference (10): QB Jake Browning, RB Myles Gaskin, OL Trey Adams, OL Coleman Shelton, DL Vita Vea, LB Azeem Victor, LB Keishawn Bierra, RS Dante Pettis, TE Drew Sample, DL Greg Gaines
Departing guys accounted for 20 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 22 PFF accolades (including three-timer Jake Browning, three-timer Elijah Qualls, and three-timer Dante Pettis)
Upshot: Playoff contender.
Washington State
Drafted (1): DB Shalom Luani (7th)
Departing all-conference undrafted (3): WR Gabe Marks, WR River Cracraft, OL Riley Sorensen
Returning all-conference (6): QB Luke Falk, DL Hercules Mata'afa, RB Jamal Morrow, OL Cole Madison, OL Cody O'Connell, LB Peyton Pelluer
Departing guys accounted for 11 PFF accolades
Returning guys accounted for 20 PFF accolades (including five-timer Cody O'Connell, four-timer Cole Madison, and three-timer Hercules Mata'afa)
Upshot: Why are people positing that Washington State will regress? This team looks like arguably the second best in the Pac-12 by returning talent measures and certainly a top four contender type.
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