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Rece Davis reveals all-time favorite player from each Pac-12 football program

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz07/08/23NickSchultz_7
ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis
ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis. (Photo by Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

There’s plenty of excitement around the Pac-12 this season, and understandably so. But the league also has some rich history, and ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis went through his favorite players from each of the conference’s programs.

Davis listed his favorite players — not necessarily the best players — from every Pac-12 team on Twitter this week. There were old and new names on the list, including some no-doubt favorites.

Of course, there were a couple teams where it was tough to pick just one, so Davis understandably picked an honorable mention.

Rece Davis’ all-time favorite players from each Pac-12 football program

Arizona — Rob Gronkowski

Before he was one of the most beloved players in the NFL, Gronkowski was a star tight end at Arizona from 2007-09. As a sophomore, he received first team All-Pac-10 and third team All-American honors. That increased his profile before he missed his junior season due to back surgery.

Of course, he made his mark with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tom Brady’s favorite target. He went on to win four Super Bowls, appear in five Pro Bowls and set the NFL’s single-season touchdown record for a tight end.

Arizona State — Mike Haynes

Haynes made three All-WAC teams and was a two-time All-American at Arizona State from 1972-75. He set a school record with 46 punt returns, including two touchdowns, in addition to his 11 interceptions to lead the nation in 1974.

Haynes was the No. 5 overall pick of the Patriots in the 1976 NFL Draft and won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. A nine-time Pro Bowler, he also helped the Los Angeles Raiders to a Super Bowl XVIII title en route to College and Pro Football Hall of Fame honors.

Cal — Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers started his college career at the junior college level before transferring to Cal ahead of the 2003 season. He spent two years as the Golden Bears’ starting quarterback and led the Pac-10 in completion percentage as a junior in 2004 with a 66.1% clip.

The Green Bay Packers selected Rodgers with the No. 24 overall pick in 2005 and he turned in an impressive career with the franchise. He helped them win Super Bowl XLV, won four MVP awards and made 10 Pro Bowls during his time in Green Bay from 2005-22. This year, Rodgers will suit up for the New York Jets after his high-profile trade over the offseason.

Colorado — Michael Westbrook

Westbrook was an All-American wide receiver at Colorado from 1991-94, but was perhaps best known for “The Miracle at Michigan” as a senior. He caught the Hail Mary pass from quarterback Kordell Stewart in the final seconds to send the Buffaloes past Michigan 27-26. That season, he was a consensus All-American and won the Paul Warfield Trophy as the best receiver in the nation as part of his College Football Hall of Fame career.

The then-Washington Redskins drafted Westbrook with the No. 4 overall pick in 1995 and he totaled more than 4,000 yards in the league with Washington and the Cincinnati Bengals. After football, he participated in mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu.

Oregon — Marcus Mariota

Mariota put together a decorated career at Oregon from 2011-14. He was a first team All-Pac-12 selection three straight years from 2012-14 and ended his career with a monster 2014 season. He threw for 4,454 yards and 42 touchdowns to win the Heisman Trophy and lead the Ducks to the national championship.

The Tennessee Titans drafted Mariota No. 2 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, but he’s bounced around the league over the years. He has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons, and recently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles to back up Jalen Hurts.

Oregon State — T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Houshmandzadeh started his college career at JUCO before transferring to Oregon State. He played for the Beavers from 1999-2000, totaling 42 receptions for 656 yards and six touchdowns as a senior in 2000.

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Houshmandzadeh in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft and he made a Pro Bowl appearance in 2007 as he led the NFL in receptions along with Wes Welker.

Stanford — Rod Gilmore (Honorable Mention: John Elway)

Davis ended up choosing two Stanford legends in Gilmore and Elway.

Gilmore played at Stanford from 1979-81, meaning he was on the field for “The Play” against Cal when the band ran on the field. He currently works as a college football analyst for ABC and ESPN in addition to his work as a laywer.

Elway’s career speaks for itself. He was a two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year at Stanford and his No. 7 is retired by the Cardinal. In the NFL, he won two Super Bowls and an MVP award as he made the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame with the Denver Broncos. He went on to become the Broncos’ general manager and president of football operations before becoming a consultant in 2022.

UCLA — Theotis Brown

Brown starred for UCLA from 1976-78 and totaled 2,914 yards during his career. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft and he had 2,046 yards and 30 touchdowns during his brief NFL career.

Brown’s career was cut short after he suffered a heart attack when he was 27 years old. In 2011, UCLA inducted him into its Athletics Hall of Fame.

USC — Anthony Davis (Honorable Mention: Anthony Munoz)

Once again, Davis went with two players — but both are worthy of consideration.

Davis had multiple record-breaking performances during his time at USC. In 1972, he scored six touchdowns in a single game against Notre Dame and scored 26 of the Trojans’ first 27 points against the Fighting Irish in 1974. He was also the first Pacific-8 player to rush for 1,000 yards in three straight years and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Munoz anchored the USC offensive line from 1976-79 and helped the Trojans to a national championship in 1978. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted him No. 3 overall in 1980 and he became an 11-time Pro Bowler during his 11 years with the franchise.

Utah — Devin Lloyd

Lloyd just wrapped up his first season in the NFL after an impressive career at Utah from 2017-21. His biggest year was his last as he totaled 66 tackles and led the Pac-12 with eight sacks. That earned him consensus All-American and his second first team All-Pac-12 selection.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Lloyd with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He picked up PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after totaling 115 tackles and three interceptions.

Washington — Steve Emtman

Emtman, a College Football Hall of Famer, was a two-time Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year at Washington. In 1991, he had 62 tackles and 20.5 tackles for loss to help him finish fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

The Indianapolis Colts selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft and he played in the league until 1997. His career was derailed by injuries, though, and served as a volunteer assistant coach in the Arena Football League from 2007-10.

Washington State — Gardner Minshew

Minshew only played one year at Washington State under the late Mike Leach, but he flourished in the Air Raid offense. He was a first team All-Pac-12 selection and the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 as he threw for 4,776 yards and 38 touchdowns.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and he played two years there before heading to the Philadelphia Eagles. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts over the offseason.