Our countdown of the Pac-10's top 25 players continues.

No. 12. Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona

2009 numbers: Elmore had 44 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2009.

Most recent ranking: Elmore was ranked 26th in our final Pac-10 top 30 list last year.

Making the case for Elmore: The 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior broke through last year when more heralded end Brooks Reed suffered a high ankle sprained that essentially ruined his season. That put pressure on Elmore to produce and he did, earning honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors in the process. In fact, just getting an honorable mention from Pac-10 coaches created a bit of controversy. He was first-team All-Pac-10, according to Sporting News, and Phil Steele named him second-team All-Pac-10 after the 2009 season and preseason first-team heading into this year. At this point, Elmore and Reed look like the best tandem of ends in the conference. Both could put up big numbers, which would bolster a rebuilding defense. And bolster their NFL draft prospects.

No. 13. Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon

No. 14. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC

No. 15. Cameron Jordan, DE, California

No. 16. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

No. 17. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

No. 18: Colin Baxter, C, Arizona

No. 19: Chase Beeler, C, Stanford

No. 20. Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State

No. 21. Matt Barkley, QB, USC

No. 22. Owen Marecic, LB/FB, Stanford

No. 23. Kristofer O'Dowd, C, USC

No. 24: Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon

No. 25 Kai Forbath, K, UCLA