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 โ and give readers something to ponder over the holiday week โ 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: Oregonโs Marcus Mariota, Stanfordโs Jim Plunkett, Stanfordโs John Elway, USCโs Matt Leinart
Running backs: Stanfordโs Ernie Nevers, USCโs Marcus Allen, USCโs Charles White, Washingtonโs Hugh McElhenny (O.J. Simpson was not considered.)
Receivers: Oregonโs Ahmad Rashad, Stanfordโs Ken Margerum, USCโs Keyshawn Johnson, Washingtonโs Reggie Williams
Tight ends: Arizona Stateโs Todd Heap, Calโs Tony Gonzalez
Tackles: Oregonโs Penei Sewell, UCLAโs Jonathan Ogden, USCโs Anthony Munoz, USCโs Ron Yary
Guards: Arizona Stateโs Randall McDaniel, Calโs Les Richter, Oregonโs Gary Zimmerman, USCโs Brad Budde, USCโs Bruce Matthews
Centers: USCโs Tony Slaton, Washingtonโs Olin Kreutz, Washington Stateโs Mel Hein
All-purpose: Stanfordโs Christian McCaffrey, UCLAโs Maurice Jones-Drew, USCโs Reggie Bush
Defense
Ends: Arizonaโs Tedy Bruschi, Arizona Stateโs Terrell Suggs, Calโs Andre Carter, Stanfordโs Bill McColl, Washingtonโs Steve Emtman
Tackles: Arizonaโs Rob Waldrop, Oregonโs Haloti Ngata, Oregon Stateโs Stephen Paea, Utahโs Star Lotulelei, Washington Stateโs Rien Long
Linebackers: Arizonaโs Ricky Hunley, Arizonaโs Scooby Wright, Arizona Stateโs Vernon Maxwell, UCLAโs Jerry Robinson, USCโs Junior Seau, USCโs Chris Claiborne, USCโs Richard Wood
Cornerbacks: Arizonaโs Chris McAlister, Arizonaโs Darryll Lewis, Oregonโs Mel Renfro, Oregonโs Alex Molden, Oregon Stateโs Jordan Poyer, UCLAโs Carlton Gray
Safeties: UCLAโs Kenny Easley, USCโs Ronnie Lott, USCโs Mark Carrier, Washingtonโs Lawyer Milloy, Washingtonโs Budda Baker
Special teams
Punters: Calโs Nick Harris, Utahโs Tom Hackett
Kicker: Arizona Stateโs Luis Zendejas, UCLAโs John Lee, Washington Stateโs Jason Hanson
Return specialists: Calโs DeSean Jackson, Oregonโs DโAnthony Thomas, Washingtonโs Dante Pettis