We continue our countdown of the Pac-10's 25 best players from 2010.

Note: Because this is ranking players based on this past season, it's Pac-10, not Pac-12.

Here are the preseason rankings (click each name to read the blurb).

24. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC

2010 numbers: Casey, 6-foot-1, 305 pounds, finished with 67 tackles, including 11 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He also had an interception, three pass defenses and a fumble recovery.

Preseason ranking: No. 14

Making the case for Casey: In a year when the USC defense was inconsistent, Casey was not, which is why he earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors. He led the Trojans in tackles for a loss and sacks and led the defensive line in tackles. The true junior -- he's seen significant action since his freshman year and was a starter in 2009 -- opted to enter the NFL draft early. He likely will be off the board before the end of the second round. Casey fell from No. 14 mostly for two reasons: 1. The USC defense wasn't good in 2010; 2. Other players moved up.

No. 25 California RB Shane Vereen