ESPN College Football

We're looking at the top individual performances in the Pac-12 in 2011.

Up next: Wilkerson wrecks.

Who & against whom: Coming off an injury that sidelined him for most of the 2010 season, Cal linebacker David Wilkerson had a monster game in the Bears' 34-10 win over Utah.

The numbers: Wilkerson logged six tackles in the game that was dominated by Cal's defense. Of those six, 3. 5 were tackles for a loss and 2.5 were sacks. He also had a QB hit for good measure.

A closer look: The Utes came into the Bay Area hoping to win their first conference game, but were denied by a motivated Cal defense that was also looking for its first conference win and had dropped its previous three games. Wilkerson picked up his first solo sack of the game on Utah's second offensive possession when he got to Utah quarterback Jon Hays on third down for minus-9 yards. He continued to get penetration before picking up a pair of assisted sacks in a three-play span inside the Cal red zone in the fourth quarter. Wilkerson, however, wasn't exactly a one-man wrecking crew. There were plenty of Cal defensive highlights in the game — including interceptions from Stefan McClure, Mychal Kendricks and a 32-yard pick-six from Josh Hill.

There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening.

• Arizona isn't worried about using co-coordinators on offense. It's been a while since the Wildcats have won a nonconference road game.
• Remember Arizona State's Rudy Carpenter-Sam Keller mess 2006? Steven Threet-Brock Osweiler feels nothing like that. Lots of good stuff in this notebook.
• California hopes the early bird gets the worm. Josh Hill became a student of the game and is now a starting safety.
• Oregon's depth means lots of guys will play. Depth? Like this guy on defense and this guy on offense.
• Season ticket sales are up at Oregon State. This receiver is a player to watch for the Beavers. I disagree, Stephen Paea, double-teaming you is a good idea.
• Stanford QB Andrew Luck is ready for his close-up. Owen Marecic is going to be a true two-way player.
• UCLA's new defensive linemen have big shoes to fill. A key to a Bruins turnaround? Ending a pattern of injured QBs.
• It's hard to say what USC will look like this year, but camp was harder than in the past. Khaled Holmes at right guard is the final piece for USC's O-line.
• Washington's defensive coordinator is confident in his defense. The Huskies visit to BYU could define the season.
• Washington State has been talking about improvement; it's time to show it. Here's what Paul Wulff thinks about the season.
• The NCAA's ruling against Jeremiah Masoli is wrong. And again.

You can see California's new depth chart here.

Jonathan Okanes does a nice job of explaining the hot spots.

Some quick observations:

• Quick, undersized sophomore Isi Sofele is the backup tailback, eclipsing Covaughn DeBoskie-Johnson, Dasarte Yarnway and Trajuan Briggs. That strikes me as a minor upset, but Sofele is a scatback type who can make plays as a runner and receiver. Coach Jeff Tedford always gives his No. 2 RB plenty of touches.
• The starting corners are Marc Anthony and Darian Hagan. Bryant Nnabuife is listed as the backup to both.
• Okanes notes that the top four safeties will see extensive action, but it seems notable that Chris Conte and Josh Hill are first team, meaning returning starter Sean Cattouse has dropped in the pecking order.
• A veteran -- Ernest Owusu -- held off a hard-charging youngster -- Deandre Coleman -- at one defensive end. Another hard-charging youngster -- Kendrick Payne -- eclipsed a veteran -- Derrick Hill -- at noseguard.
• QB Kevin Riley's backup is Beau Sweeney.
• The only true freshman on the depth chart is receiver Keenan Allen, who is No. 1 opposite junior Marvin Jones.
• The Bears will start eight seniors and six sophomores.

The fourth of a 10-part series that looks at where Pac-10 teams are strongest and weakest as they begin spring practices.

California

Strong: Offensive line

Why it's a strength: There isn't an area of the 2010 Bears that will blow you away, but the offensive line welcomes back five guys who've started at least seven games, as well as a couple of quality backups, though it was a hit when veteran guard Mark Boskovich opted to graduate instead of use his final year of eligibility. Donovan Edwards (seven starts) is the most likely candidate to fill a void at one of the tackle spots. The health of talented guard Matt Summers-Gavin is an issue after a shoulder injury and concussion limited him to eight starts in 2009. As a group, the Bears were better run-blockers (third in the Pac-10 in rushing) than pass-blockers (31 sacks surrendered) in 2010. The latter often improves with experience and continuity. If the unit stays healthy, it could be one of the stronger crews in the conference.

Weak: Secondary

Why it's a weakness: The Bears must replace two starters, including two-time first-team All-Pac-10 cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson, and experienced backup safety Marcus Ezeff from a crew that ranked ninth in the conference in pass defense (267 yards per game) and seventh in pass efficiency defense -- and was a huge disappointment in 2009. There are some interesting possibilities at safety, where Sean Cattouse, Chris Moncrease, Chris Conte and Vachel Samuels will compete (and touted incoming freshman Keenan Allen, though primarily a receiver, might be in the mix, too). Cornerback, however, is a question. Darian Hagan fell out of favor as a junior, while Bryant Nnabuife and Josh Hill often were picked on opposite Thompson. Samuels might be an option at corner. Opponents completed nearly 64 percent of their passes against the Bears in 2009 and threw 20 TD passes, which ranked seventh in the conference.

After every season, starters leave. But not all starters are created equal.

Here are the biggest shoes to fill in the Pac-10 with spring practices just around the corner.

Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford

How do you replace the best running back in the nation, a guy who scored 28 touchdowns and rushed for 1,871 yards? You don't. Those sorts don't come around every season.

The Contenders: Stepfan Taylor and Tyler Gafney will get first crack, as well as Jeremy Stewart, who's coming back from a knee injury. Incoming freshman Anthony Wilkerson could be a dark horse.

Sean Canfield, QB, Oregon State

The first-team All-Pac-10 quarterback became an NFL prospect during a strong senior season. He led the conference with 3,271 yards passing and 21 touchdowns, which tied with Washington's Jake Locker.

The Contenders: This will be a showdown between Ryan Katz and Peter Lalich this spring, with Katz starting as the leader.

Brian Price, DT, UCLA

Price could be an NFL first-round draft pick. He led the Pac-10 with 23.5 tackles for a loss in 2009. 'Nuff said.

The Contenders: Good question. The Bruins are perilously thin here, considering both tackles need to be replaced and only senior David Carter has much experience. The answers here might be in the Bruins' recruiting class.

Syd'Quan Thompson, CB, California

The Cal secondary was a huge disappointment this season, but Thompson, a four-year starter and two-time first-team All-Pac-10 performer, was mostly his usually stellar self.

The Contenders: Will Darian Hagan step up in his senior season? Perhaps the answer is sophomore Josh Hill? Or maybe a redshirt guy? The Bears only signed one player listed as a corner in their most recent recruiting class. Expect there to be a lot of competition here this spring.

Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, DE, Washington

Te'o-Nesheim, a high-motor guy who started four years and earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors his final two seasons, ranking third in the conference with 9.5 sacks.

The Contenders: Considering the other end, Darrion Jones, also is gone, the Huskies will trend young here. Andru Pulu was listed behind Te'o-Nesheim on the depth chart, with Talia Crichton and Kalani Aldrich on the other side. There also will be opportunities for younger players here.

Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon

Dickson not only was the Ducks' second-leading receiver with 42 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns, the matchup problems he presented forced defenses to scheme specifically for him. That helps an offense in ways that aren't accounted for in statistics.

The Contenders: Junior David Paulson was Dickson's backup last year, and he had some nice moments, but he's no Dickson. JC transfer Brandon Williams and touted incoming freshman Curtis White will be in the mix here.

Kenny Alfred, C, Washington State

Alfred, a four-year starter, was a good player on a bad -- and beaten up -- line. His brain as well as his physical ability will be hard to replace.

The Contenders: Walk-on junior Chris Prummer was listed as Alfred's backup -- largely due to injury -- but Andrew Roxas, who redshirted this year after contracting viral hepatitis, is probably the leader here, though Steven Ayers could move inside to challenge him. Or there could be some reshuffling.

California's All-Pac-10 cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson may miss the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl against Utah on Wednesday because of a nagging sprained ankle, Jonathan Okanes of the Contra Costa Times reported.

That's not good news in any event, but it's particularly worrisome because Thompson was likely going to focus his efforts on neutralizing the Utes top receiver, David Reed.

Further complicating things in the secondary is a shoulder injury to No. 3 cornerback Josh Hill.

That means if Thompson can't go, he would be replaced by redshirt freshman Marc Anthony, who will be making his first career start. According to Okanes' report, defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said Anthony has passed junior Darian Hagan in the pecking order. Hagan began the year as the starter opposite Thompson.

Thompson is a four-year starter, so missing practice time isn't critical. His availability figures to be a game-time decision.

Which freshmen or redshirt freshmen stood out in 2009?

A lot of them. And a lot of them already have familiar names.

The quality is very high here, which speaks well of the future.

Went with three receivers and no tight end, by the way.

Offense

QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

RB LaMichael James, Oregon

RB Chris Polk, Washington

WR James Johnson, Washington

WR Gino Simone, Washington State

WR Brice Butler, USC

OL David DeCastro, Stanford

OL Michael Philipp, Oregon State

OL Carson York, Oregon

OL Jonathan Martin, Stanford

OL Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA

K Vince D'Amato, California

Defense

DL Nick Perry, USC

DL Travis Long, Washington State

DL Aaron Tipoti, California

DL Chase Thomas, Stanford

LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

LB Shayne Skov, Stanford

*LB Devon Kennard, USC

DB Desmond Trufant, Washington

DB John Boyett, Oregon

DB Sheldon Price, UCLA

DB Josh Hill, California

P Jeff Locke, UCLA

*Kennard started the final three games of the season at linebacker after playing end most of the season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

California's depth chart will be distributed on Monday, but here's a look at some of the interesting changes from spring.

• Nyan Boateng is now Marvin Jones' backup at Z receiver. He was the No. 1 X -- flanker -- coming out of spring.
• Verran Tucker is No. 1 at the X.
• The guards are Matt Summers-Gavin and Justin Cheadle. They were Mark Boskovich and Chet Teofilo after spring.
• Anthony Miller is No. 1 at tight end because Tad Smith is out with a knee injury.
• Brian Holley won the fullback job.
• The depth chart doesn't list a slot receiver as it did before, when Alex Lagemann and Charles Satchell were Nos. 1 and 2. True freshman Isi Sofele is probably in the mix there.
• The linebackers are Eddie Young and Mike Mohamed on the outside and D.J. Holt and Mychal Kendricks inside. Mohamed was inside after spring and Devin Bishop is now a backup inside after being No. 1 outside.
• The starting secondary remains the same, but Jesse Brooks is a backup safety -- instead of D.J. Campbell --- and Josh Hill is Darian Hagan's backup instead of Chris Conte, who's now at safety.
• Giorgio Tavecchio is the No. 1 kicker over David Seawright.
• Syd'Quan Thompson is the No. 1 punt returner; Jahvid Best will return kicks.

Offense

Z 1 Marvin Jones (6-2, 190, So.)
   8 Nyan Boateng (6-2, 211, Sr.)

LT 79 Mike Tepper (6-7, 319, Sr.)
    53 Donovan Edwards (6-5, 285, Jr.)

LG 75 Matt Summers-Gavin (6-4, 291, RFr.)
    70 Mark Boskovich (6-4, 304, Jr.)

C 54 Chris Guarnero (6-2, 275, Jr.)
   65 Dominic Galas (6-1, 281, RFr.)

RG 61 Justin Cheadle (6-2, 299, So.)
    58 Chet Teofilo (6-3, 329, Sr.)

RT 72 Mitchell Schwartz (6-6, 317, So.)
    53 Donovan Edwards (6-5, 285, Jr.)

TE 80 Anthony Miller (6-3, 258, So.)
    83 Skylar Curran (6-4, 256, Sr.)

    45 Spencer Ladner (6-7, 253, RFr.)
    19 Jarrett Sparks (6-2, 230, RFr.)

X 86 Verran Tucker (6-1, 204, Sr.)
    3 Jeremy Ross (5-11, 216, Jr.)

QB 13 Kevin Riley (6-2, 221, Jr.)
     10 Brock Mansion (6-5, 237, So.)
      9 Beau Sweeney (6-2, 226, RFr.)

FB 33 Brian Holley (5-10, 235, Sr.)
     22 Will Kapp (5-10, 216, So.)

TB 4 Jahvid Best (5-10, 195, Jr.)
   34 Shane Vereen (5-10, 198, So.)

Defense

DE 44 Tyson Alualu (6-3, 295, Sr.)
     92 Trevor Guyton (6-3, 285, So.)

NG 76 Derrick Hill (6-2, 302, Jr.)
     96 Kendrick Payne (6-2, 300, RFr.)

DE 97 Cameron Jordan (6-4, 287, Jr.)
     95 Ernest Owusu (6-4, 268, So.)

OLB 9 Eddie Young (6-0, 239, Sr.)
     43 Charles Johnson (6-2, 232, Jr.)

ILB 3 D.J. Holt (6-1, 250, So.)
    55 Jerome Meadows (6-3, 240, Jr.)

ILB 30 Mychal Kendricks (6-0, 230, So.)
     10 Devin Bishop (6-1, 239, Sr.)

OLB 18 Mike Mohamed (6-3, 237, Jr.)
       47 Keith Browner (6-6, 268, Jr.)

CB 5 Syd'Quan Thompson (5-9, 191, Sr.)
   15 Bryant Nnabuife (6-1, 190, Jr.)

S 29 Marcus Ezeff (5-11, 219, Sr.)
   11 Sean Cattouse (6-2, 206, So.)

S 25 Brett Johnson (6-1, 194, Sr.)
   20 Jesse Brooks (5-11, 197, Sr.)

CB 26 Darian Hagan (6-0, 186, Jr.)
    23 Josh Hill (5-11, 194, RFr.)