USC football: Morgan Breslin ranked No. 19 player in Pac-12

As USC’s season opener draws near, Ted Miller and Kevin Gemmell of ESPN.com’s Pac-12 Blog are ranking the top 25 players in the conference.

The Trojans’ Morgan Breslin is ranked No. 19.

Breslin played defensive end last season as a junior and had 19 1/2 tackles for losses, including 13 sacks.

Breslin will play an end/linebacker hybrid position in Clancy Pendergast’s “52” scheme.

“Breslin’s pass-rushing skills should only be accentuated as he moves to outside linebacker,” Gemmell wrote. “In this new hybrid role, the 6-2, 250-pounder will be asked to do more in coverage. But it should also open up more opportunities to crash the backfield. In a league loaded with premier pass-rushers, Breslin should be considered one of the best in the conference.”

USC opens its season Aug. 29 at Hawaii.

Other rankings by ESPN.com’s Pac-12 blog:

20. Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon
21. Carl Bradford, LB, Arizona State
22. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
23. Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
24. Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State
25. Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford

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