We continue our countdown of the Pac-10's 25 best players from 2010.
Note: Because we are 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).
No. 6. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
2010 numbers: Criner led the Pac-10 in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,233), and ranked second with 11 touchdown receptions. His yardage total ranked ninth in the nation.
Preseason ranking: Unranked
Making the case for Criner: Criner's case is simple: He was the best receiver in the Pac-10 by a wide margin in 2010. His 94.8 receiving yards per game was 10 more than anyone else. And, since he opted to return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft, the 6-foot-4, 210 pounder will be an All-American and Biletnikoff Award candidate in 2011, particularly if he improves as much as he did from 2009, when he was second on the Wildcats with 45 receptions for 582 yards and team-high nine touchdowns. The most interesting aspect of Criner is that he has plenty of room to get better in all aspects of his game. If he does, he'll bolster his -- and probably quarterback Nick Foles' -- NFL draft prospects substantially.
No. 7. Chris Polk, RB, Washington
No. 8. Cameron Jordan, DE, California
No. 9. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
No. 10. Chase Beeler, C, Stanford
No. 11. Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
No. 12. Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon
No. 13 Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
No. 14. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
No. 15. Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona
No. 16. Tyron Smith, OT, USC
No. 17. Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon
No. 18. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
No. 19. Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon
No. 20. Talmadge Jackson, CB, Oregon
No. 21. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
No. 22. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
No. 23. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington
No. 24. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
No. 25. Shane Vereen, RB, California