In less than a month, the Pac-12 will cease to exist in recognizable form. At the close of business on Aug. 1, the 10 departing schools will end their membership in the century-old conference.
To commemorate the occasion β and give readers something to ponder over the holiday week β the Hotline presents our picks for the greatest players in conference history: The all-time all-conference team.
(Consider it a complementary piece to our look at the Mt. Rushmore faces for each school.)
Important disclaimers:
We only considered players who competed when their schools were members of the conference. For example, Utah quarterback Alex Smith, who played for the Utes during their tenure in the Mountain West, was not considered.
We selected more players for each position than would appear in a starting 22.
Performance in the NFL was not factored into our selections.
(Players listed alphabetically by school)
Offense
Quarterbacks: Oregonβs Marcus Mariota, Stanfordβs Jim Plunkett, Stanfordβs John Elway, USCβs Matt Leinart
Running backs: Stanfordβs Ernie Nevers, USCβs Marcus Allen, USCβs Charles White, Washingtonβs Hugh McElhenny (O.J. Simpson was not considered.)
Receivers: Oregonβs Ahmad Rashad, Stanfordβs Ken Margerum, USCβs Keyshawn Johnson, Washingtonβs Reggie Williams
Tight ends: Arizona Stateβs Todd Heap, Calβs Tony Gonzalez
Tackles: Oregonβs Penei Sewell, UCLAβs Jonathan Ogden, USCβs Anthony Munoz, USCβs Ron Yary
Guards: Arizona Stateβs Randall McDaniel, Calβs Les Richter, Oregonβs Gary Zimmerman, USCβs Brad Budde, USCβs Bruce Matthews
Centers: USCβs Tony Slaton, Washingtonβs Olin Kreutz, Washington Stateβs Mel Hein
All-purpose: Stanfordβs Christian McCaffrey, UCLAβs Maurice Jones-Drew, USCβs Reggie Bush
Defense
Ends: Arizonaβs Tedy Bruschi, Arizona Stateβs Terrell Suggs, Calβs Andre Carter, Stanfordβs Bill McColl, Washingtonβs Steve Emtman
Tackles: Arizonaβs Rob Waldrop, Oregonβs Haloti Ngata, Oregon Stateβs Stephen Paea, Utahβs Star Lotulelei, Washington Stateβs Rien Long
Linebackers: Arizonaβs Ricky Hunley, Arizonaβs Scooby Wright, Arizona Stateβs Vernon Maxwell, UCLAβs Jerry Robinson, USCβs Junior Seau, USCβs Chris Claiborne, USCβs Richard Wood
Cornerbacks: Arizonaβs Chris McAlister, Arizonaβs Darryll Lewis, Oregonβs Mel Renfro, Oregonβs Alex Molden, Oregon Stateβs Jordan Poyer, UCLAβs Carlton Gray
Safeties: UCLAβs Kenny Easley, USCβs Ronnie Lott, USCβs Mark Carrier, Washingtonβs Lawyer Milloy, Washingtonβs Budda Baker
Special teams
Punters: Calβs Nick Harris, Utahβs Tom Hackett
Kicker: Arizona Stateβs Luis Zendejas, UCLAβs John Lee, Washington Stateβs Jason Hanson
Return specialists: Calβs DeSean Jackson, Oregonβs DβAnthony Thomas, Washingtonβs Dante Pettis