Pac-12 Spotlight: Commits that mirror players on current rosters

One of the goals in the recruiting process for colleges is to find players similar to the ones that have success in the past. Here are some players committed to Pac-12 schools that resemble players that are currently on that team’s roster.

RELATED: Big Ten comps | ACC comps

Current player: Khalil Tate

Comparison: This is a heady comparison since Tate has been so phenomenal for the Wildcats this season and might even be a Heisman Trophy contender, but Joiner is a similar player and could be utilized in Arizona’s offense in a similar fashion. Coach Rich Rodriguez knows how to maximize dual-threat quarterbacks and Joiner could be a big-time player in Tucson. So far this season, the three-star has thrown for 1,768 yards with 22 touchdowns and six picks and also rushed for 1,029 yards and 16 scores. Sound like Tate?

Current player: Christian Sam

Comparison: Hughes is an athletic linebacker who can track players sideline to sideline and also does an impressive job getting into the backfield to make stops, a lot like Sam, a tackling machine who leads the Sun Devils in that category. The four-star from Calabasas, Calif., had an outstanding junior season - when he got on the national radar as a prospect - and he then committed to Arizona State. Hughes has the potential to step in at ASU and make a big impact, just like Sam, because he brings so much to the table.

Current player: Kanawai Noa

Comparison: Noa might have slightly more length, but Remigio is a similar player in the sense that he has excellent hands and he’s fantastic in space to make defenders miss. On a loaded receiver corps at powerhouse Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, the four-star is putting up impressive numbers with 37 catches for 653 yards and nine touchdowns. Five-star Amon-Ra St. Brown, UCLA commit C.J. Parks and 2019 star Bru McCoy are also Mater Dei receivers. Remigio should be a really nice asset - just like Noa - in Cal’s passing offense for years to come.

Current player: Shay Fields

Comparison: Colorado has an impressive group of receivers, but they’re going to need to be replaced and Stanley is going to be an outstanding addition. The first thing that stands out about him is his playmaking ability and pass-catching skills. In space, Stanley is outstanding and he can also stretch the field with his speed. So far this season, the three-star has 71 catches for 1,018 yards and 18 touchdowns. That type of production almost mirrors Fields’ abilities and numbers and being a replacement among the Colorado receivers should be no problem.

Current player: Troy Dye

Comparison: Dye is a stat machine who piles up big numbers but this comparison works because the former Norco, Calif., star played safety in high school and has since moved to linebacker. Jackson, the top-rated player in the state of Colorado, has made a similar move from safety to linebacker even before he got to Eugene. Jackson can compile tackles quickly, he is versatile on defense and he can add even more weight to his frame to make an even bigger impact at linebacker. Can Jackson be as special as Dye on Oregon’s defense? That’s the hope for the Ducks.

Current player: Noah Togiai

Comparison: Togiai is leading Oregon State in receptions, so the comparison is pretty big and expectations are high for Smalls, but there are similarities between the two. They both create space, catch lots of passes and both have proven to be playmakers. Smalls is best when split out to creating mismatches against slower linebackers or smaller defensive backs. He also has excellent hands, so down the road in Corvallis, the three-star tight end could lead the receiving stats just like Togiai has done this season.

Current player: J.J. Arceda-Whiteside

Comparison: If Wilson continues to develop physically - he’s up to 185 pounds in his senior season - then the four-star has the skills to be a weapon in Stanford’s passing attack on the outside. Maybe the Cardinal won’t be able to utilize Wilson to the same extent they do Arcega-Whiteside in jump-ball situations in the end zone, but the four-star from West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade can create separation, make the tough catch and he’s a great route runner. Like Arcega-Whiteside, Wilson should have a productive career in the Pac-12.

Current player: Darnay Holmes

Comparison: Holmes has more mass and Griffin looks like a taller Jaleel Wadood, but the four-star from Mission Viejo, Calif., could have such a positive impact for the Bruins all over the field, Holmes seems like the best comparison. Griffin is a long, lean, athletic cornerback who can shut down top-end receivers. On offense, he has tremendous burst and make-you-miss ability that he also carries over to special teams. UCLA landed a great one in Griffin, whose best position is cornerback because he’s such a tremendous playmaker, but if needed, the four-star can step in anywhere to make an impact.

Current player: Cameron Smith

Comparison: Smith has been a tackling machine, an aggressive, downhill hitter, since his days at Granite Bay, Calif., and the same can be said for Gaoteote, who is even more athletic than Smith at the same stage with a similar build. The five-star from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman can play on the outside because of his athleticism and ability to play in space, but he’s even more special as a middle linebacker, getting into the backfield and wreaking havoc. For years, Gaoteote has also been excellent in pass coverage - something that Smith struggled with in high school - so USC could be getting an even bigger upgrade at an important position. That’s saying something, because Smith has been an outstanding asset in USC’s defense for a long while.

Current player: Zack Moss

Comparison: Sims might have a little more length, but the two running backs are very similar in their running styles, the ability to break free in the open field and both Moss and Sims are excellent in tight spaces. The three-star running back has racked up nearly 1,000 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns so far this season with the playoffs around the corner. He’s great on sweeps, dodging tacklers in the hole and then breaking free for big gains.

Current player: Dante Pettis

Comparison: Spiker is a taller version of Pettis in many ways, a big-time playmaker who can stretch the field, make the big catch and put up tremendous statistics throughout his career. The four-star who could move even higher in the rankings is an excellent route runner, incredibly smooth and can separate from pretty much anybody, just like Pettis. Spiker is one of many top-flight receivers in this Washington class, so when Pettis and others leave, there should be no drop off at all. If anything, the Huskies’ receiving corps could get even better. So far this season, Spiker has 65 receptions for 1,038 yards and 21 touchdowns. Playoffs haven’t even started yet.

Current player: Jamal Murrow

Comparison: Some have compared Borghi to a poor man’s Christian McCaffrey and that’s giving anyone a ton of credit, but Borghi should be a really interesting fixture in Washington State’s spread offense. Originally a Colorado commit, Borghi flipped to the Cougars and he could be utilized in many ways like Morrow, who has a similar skill set and build - slightly undersized but strong and cat-quick. Borghi is utilized more as a straight running back in high school, but he has the ability to split out, catch passes in space, and especially make people miss just like Morrow does in Pullman.