ESPN College Football

Happy Friday.

• Arizona running back Daniel Jenkins is trying to make his move. Alex Zendejas tries to bounce back. Chat with Ryan Finley today at noon or 3 p.m. ET.
• The Snake appeared at Arizona State practice. Notes from practice.
• California tight end Spencer Ladner "tweaked" his knee and other notes. It's time for the heralded 2010 linebacker recruits to make their mark.
• Colorado added a long-snapper.
• Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris talks big, plays big. And is this the most underrated Duck?
• Former Oregon State stars Jacquizz Rodgers and Stephen Paea get ready for the NFL draft.
• Quarterback Richard Brehaut surged when true freshman Brett Hundley struggled during UCLA's scrimmage. Is Brehaut making his move?
• It appears that USC has found a backup quarterback. And Jesse Scroggins is just one member of a strong 2010 recruiting class.
• Considering another candidate to be Jordan Wynn's backup at Utah. The search for an offensive identity is on-going, though there has been some progress.
• Where does Washington stand at safety? Defensive end Hau’oli Jamora needs to take a step forward after a strong debut.
• There were some bumps and bruises at Washington State's final practice before the spring game.
• The Pac-12 knows how to party.

Welcome to the review of the weakest position in the Pac-10. And that was going to be the case even before Washington gave Kavario Middleton the boot.

Middleton, by the way, was named preseason first-team All-Pac-10 by Phil Steele, even though he only caught 26 passes last year and was being challenged for the starting job by Chris Izbicki.

Only four teams welcome back their starting tight end, and only one -- California's Anthony Miller -- even earned honorable mention all-conference honors.

Why is the position down? Attrition after an "up" season. Consider the departed: Arizona's Rob Gronkowski, Oregon's Ed Dickson, Stanford's Jim Dray, UCLA's Logan Paulsen and Ryan Moya and USC's Anthony McCoy. Those guys are now stocking NFL rosters.

So where do things stand? Well, you might say we graded the position on a curve, though there is plenty of potential here.

Great shape

• California: Miller was the Bears' third-leading receiver last year. Six-foot-7 sophomore backup Spencer Ladner saw action in seven games.

Good shape

• UCLA: While the Bruins lost their top two TEs, they look solid here with Cory Harkey, Notre Dame transfer Joseph Fauria and hybrid TE-WR Morrell Presley.
• Stanford: Even though the Cardinal lost Dray, Coby Fleener was their top pass-catcher at the position, and the depth is good with Konrad Reuland, Zach Ertz and 6-foot-8 Levine Toilolo.
• Oregon State: The Beavers get credit here for H-back Joe Halahuni, who caught 35 passes for 486 yards and three TDs in 2009. Senior Brady Camp is a good blocker with 18 career starts.
• Oregon: The Ducks lose Dickson, but David Paulson saw extensive action in 2009 and JC transfer Brandon Williams was impressive this spring.
• Arizona: Gronkowski's back injury made A.J. Simmons the season-long starter, so the Wildcats are at least experienced. Redshirt freshman Jack Baucus is the backup.
• Washington State: The Cougars' depth chart lists five TEs, with Skylar Stormo and Zach Tatman offering experience at the top.

We'll see

• USC: Attrition and injuries make this a questionable position for the Trojans. If Blake Ayles and Rhett Ellison stay healthy, things should be OK. The incoming freshman class is strong, starting with Xavier Grimble, who ranked No. 1 at the position, according to ESPN Recruiting.
• Washington: With Middleton, the Huskies would have been in great shape. Izbicki had a good spring, but he only caught three passes for 7 yards in 2009 and the depth is questionable.
• Arizona State: Jovon Williams is gone and Dan Knapp is a tackle, but the Sun Devils could move up here just because the position figures to be more involved in the offense in 2010. Trevor Kohl and Christopher Coyle top the depth chart.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Some injury notes based on news reports.

Arizona
Guard Conan Amituanai sprained his knee against Washington. He won't play against Stanford. Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell was hurt in a freak accident on Oct. 9 -- he was knocked out by a door and required stitches -- and didn't play Saturday, but he might return this week. Receiver Bug Wright (knee), defensive end Brooks Reed (ankle), running back Nic Grigsby (shoulder), running back Keola Antolin and defensive end D'Aundre Reed (hand) are all questionable.

Arizona State
The Sun Devils got two player back at Washington State -- guard Garth Gerhart and safety Ryan McFoy -- and didn't suffer any additional injuries. Receiver Kerry Taylor (hamstring), guard Matt Hustad and cornerback Omar Bolden (knee) each missed the Washington State game and are questionable this week.

California
After taking the weekend off, the Bears may get guard Matt Summers-Gavin (shoulder), wide receiver Nyan Boateng (foot) and tight end Spencer Ladner back for the UCLA game. On the downside, receiver Verran Tucker is battling a calf injury and backup nose tackle Kendrick Payne, who didn't play against USC, is doubtful with plantar fasciitis.

Oregon
The Ducks only practice Wednesday and Friday during their bye week. It's unclear if quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (knee) or safety T.J. Ward (ankle) will be ready to participate. Offensive tackle C.E. Kaiser sat out all last week with a shin injury but he played against UCLA.

Oregon State
Offensive guard Gregg Peat bruised his knee against Stanford but he should be able to play after the bye week at USC. Running back Ryan McCants (knee) has yet to play this season but he is questionable for the USC game. Receiver Darrell Catchings (ankle) isn't expected to be ready by Oct. 24.

Stanford
Defensive end Erik Lorig didn't play at Oregon State because of a groin injury. Safety Delano Howell is nursing a quad injury. Both are questionable for the visit to Arizona.

UCLA
Linebacker Reggie Carter played through a sprained knee against Oregon but he's questionable for the Cal game. Tailback Johnathan Franklin and safety Glenn Love are both nursing sprained ankles. Defensive end Korey Bosworth bruised his ribs but is probable for Saturday.

USC
Receiver Ronald Johnson (collarbone) and defensive end Armond Armstead (foot) are expected to be cleared to play at Notre Dame.

Washington
Offensive guard Greg Christine broke his fibula against Arizona and is likely done for the year. He was replaced by sophomore Nick Wood. Running back Chris Polk played through a sprained shoulder against Arizona. Linebacker E.J. Savannah and defensive tackle Cameron Elisara are nursing stingers.

Washington State
It's good news and bad news for the Cougars. Cornerback Daniel Simmons may be done for the season after breaking his leg against Arizona State. On the plus side, guard Zack Williams (ankle) should be ready for the visit to California after the bye week. Tackle Steven Ayers (ankle) and guard B.J. Guerra (knee) are questionable, as are defensive tackle Bernard Wolfgramm (hip) and linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis (staph infection).

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Some tidbits from the weekly Pac-10 coaches teleconference that might be of interest.

• Arizona coach Mike Stoops would only say that tight end Rob Gronkowski is showing "signs of getting better" and will be limited in what he can do this week. Gronkowski won't play Saturday against Northern Arizona, and Stoops wouldn't say whether Gronkowski would be ready for Iowa on Sept. 19.
• Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson said defensive tackle Lawrence Guy (biceps) should return to practice this week. The Sun Devils have a bye this week.
• California coach Jeff Tedford said that reserve tight end Spencer Ladner (knee) will get an MRI on his knee Tuesday. The Bears already lost starting tight end Tad Smith for the year to a knee injury. That leaves Cal with sophomore Anthony Miller -- who caught one pass last year -- and redshirt freshmen Skylar Curran and Jarrett Sparks.
• Oregon coach Chip Kelly said the Ducks had their second consecutive good practice and that suspended running back LeGarrette Blount was on hand and "has followed the plan" the school set out to remain with the team. Blount didn't dress for practice.
• Oregon State coach Mike Riley said backup tailback Ryan McCants (knee) might be ready to play when Cincinnati comes to town on Sept. 19.
• Washington State coach Paul Wulff said that Kevin Lopina will start again at quarterback for the Cougars against Hawaii. Marshall Lobbestael might play, but Wulff said that Lopina "managed the offense better" against Stanford.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

California senior Tad Smith, who was in the mix to start at tight end, tore his ACL during a scrimmage Tuesday night and will miss the entire season.

Coach Jeff Tedford told reporters after Wednesday's practice Smith and Cal might petition the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.

With Smith out, sophomore Anthony Miller will be the likely starter. Miller is best known for making his first career catch the game-winner over Miami in last season's Emerald Bowl.

Behind Miller are redshirt freshman Spencer Ladner and senior Skylar Curran.

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Every Pac-10 team will be young somewhere... so what are the green units?

Arizona -- OT: Both starting tackles are gone, including potential NFL first-round pick Eben Britton. The four tackles on this spring two-deep roster have combined for only five starts, all by right tackle Adam Grant.

Arizona State -- QB: Combined starts of the five candidates to replace Rudy Carpenter at quarterback? Zero.

California -- TE: When Cameron Morrah, the Bears second-leading receiver in 2008, unexpectedly bolted a year early for the NFL draft, he left behind four combined receptions for backups Tad Smith, Anthony Miller and touted redshirt freshman Spencer Ladner.

Oregon -- DT: Both starting defensive tackles are gone and this unofficial depth chart shows 14 combine tackles for seven potential replacements.

Oregon State -- DE: Sackmasters Victor Butler and Slade Norris and their 41.5 combined sacks over the past two seasons are gone. Sophomore Kevin Frahm and senior Ben Terry, who split two sacks between themselves in 2008, are in.

Stanford -- K: Kicker Aaron Zagory is gone and either Travis Golia or David Green will take over, though neither has kicked a college field goal.

UCLA -- P: After four years of huge boots, punter Aaron Perez is gone. Redshirt freshmen Jeff Locke and Danny Rees will compete to replace him.

USC -- LB: All three starting linebackers, including All-Americans and future first-round draft choices Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, are gone. Chris Galippo, Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan aren't exactly chopped liver, though.

Washington -- K-P: The Huskies need to replace both specialists with players who have no college experience.

Washington State -- TE: Devin Frischknecht and Ben Woodard, the top two guys on the 2008 depth chart, are gone and the expected replacement, JC transfer Peter Tuitupou, unexpectedly opted to go on a two-year church mission.