Top 5 Pac-12 Football Players in 2015

Another season of college football has concluded with an SEC school taking another National Title. However, out west the Pac-12 had a strong season.

Looking back to the 2015 season, here are the top 5 players that played in the Pac-12.

1. 1 without a doubt is Christian McCaffrey. The Stanford running back was second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy and a consensus All-American. McCaffrey amassed 3,864 all-purpose yards from scrimmage to set a new FBS record. He averaged 8.9 yards per touch and broke the record set back in 1988 by Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders. Against the tough defense of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Rose Bowl, McCaffrey rushed for 172 yards, caught four receptions for another 105 yards and returned a punt 66 yards for six points. He and Deshaun Watson the Clemson quarterback will lead nearly ever list of preseason Heisman candidates for 2016.
2. Jared Goff the California quarterback in 2015 will likely be the first quarterback taken in the NFL draft this spring. He was a first team All-Pac-12 after throwing for 4,718 yards with 43 touchdowns passes and 13 interceptions. His average of 363 yards passing was second in the country and his total touchdowns ranked was third. He was No. 9 in the country in passing efficiency. He won the quarterback job at Cal his freshman season and during three years threw for 12,200 yards and 96 touchdowns.
3. Royce Freeman a running back for Oregon followed up his stellar campaign as a freshman with a great sophomore season. He earned All-Pac-12 honors and 2^nd team All-American. He will be considered a top candidate for the Heisman Trophy with McCaffrey and Watson next season. He was the second leading rusher in the Pac-12 and the fourth in the country with 1,835 yards. His 17 touchdowns rushing were tops in the conference.
4. DeForest Buckner a defensive end for Oregon has started three seasons for the Ducks and improved statistically each year. He ranked second in the Pac-12 in tackles with 83 and was the leader in sacks at 10.5. He has 17 tackles for a loss and one interception Most feel he will be one of the first players on defense selected in the NFL draft later this spring.
5. Luke Falk the Washington State quarterback was a co-first team All-Pac-1 with Cal’s Goff. His 390.1 yards passing per game led the country. He had 4,560 yards passing and 38 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. Falk competed 69% of his passes and led his team to its first win in a bowl and a 9-win season since 2003.