The 10 people who every Pac-12 fan wants mic'd up in 2023

With the Pac-12's all new access the conference has some great personalities to put on display

On Thursday we learned that the Pac-12 is planning on giving college football fans access to their teams like never seen before at the college level.

There will be players mic'd up, coaches will be interviewed during the game, and there will be cameras in the locker room at halftime and in the coaches booth. While all of these things are amazing and will give the fans a new perspective, one thing that just about every person who watches college football is most excited about is people being mic'd up.

We've seen it in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and even most recently in the XFL as players have a hot mic throughout the game. The Pac-12 is about to enter its most highly anticipated season yet with at least five teams being contenders to win the conference title, and maybe even get a playoff nod. Not to mention, two of the conference's most storied programs in USC and UCLA are departing.

All of these factors just make this 2023 season that much more special, and being able to hear what players and coaches are thinking the entire way will be must-watch. Here are 10 players or coaches that every fan will likely want to hear from during this upcoming season.

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10. Troy Taylor (Stanford)

Stanford Athletics

While many people may not be dialed in to Stanford football at the moment, there is going to be some intrigue about David Shaw's replacement. For starters, it will be the first time in over a decade that there is a new coach at Stanford, but more importantly unlike Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham or Colorado's Deion Sanders, Taylor is relatively unknown at the national level. He had a great tenure at Sacramento State, and fans likely want to know more about the man responsible for rejuvenating this once dominant program.  

9. DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State)

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Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei isn't known for being one of the more outgoing personalities in college football, but those around the conference view him as the guy that will take Oregon State to the promise land. Hearing his leadership style and getting an insight into one of the most mysterious programs in the country would be fascinating. 

8. Chip Kelly (UCLA)

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Thanks to his stint in the NFL, Chip Kelly is someone who actually has experienced being mic'd up or at least being around someone who was. This UCLA program could be on the rise under Kelly after a few seasons of being stagnant, and hearing from one of the more revolutionary offensive minds in football is something all football fanatics will want. 

7. Cam Ward (Washington State)

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Way up there in Pullman, Washington resides one of the most sought after transfer quarterbacks from a year ago. Ward was generating national buzz after tearing up the FCS level at Incarnate Word, and he showed flashes of why every program in the country wanted him a year ago. With a full season of Power 5 football under his belt and more confidence being built, getting to know one of the biggest wildcards in the sport would be something most fans would like to do. 

6. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)

The son of Deion Sanders, Shedeur is very similar to Ward in terms of success at their previous stop. He too was far better than his foes at the FCS level, but now will be tested at the Power 5 level. The difference between him and Ward though is that Sanders is the son of a legend, who also happens to be his coach. Hearing those two interact as they take on the Pac-12 along with one of the most interesting rosters ever is something we may never see again.

5. Kyle Whittingham (Utah)

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Kyle Whittingham is the epitome of a football coach who just wants to coach ball, but unfortunately for him the people who are least likely to want to be mic'd up usually provide the best content. The Utes are looking to three-peat as conference champs, and him leading this program to glory again would give many fans their first glimpse into the man behind all of the Utes' success. 

4. Lincoln Riley (USC)

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Lincoln Riley has an interesting history with the media, and also happens to be one of the bigger villains in college football due to him leaving Oklahoma for USC and for USC leaving for the Big Ten. Obviously the latter isn't his fault, but he's guilty by association. The Trojans have playoff hopes, and a defensive unit that will be the difference as to whether they make it or not. Hearing Riley address Alex Grinch if the Trojans have anymore collapses like last season would be quite insightful into what goes on over on the sidelines. Not to mention, Riley will also be leading one of the best offenses in the country so seeing things from his perspective would be insightful. 

3. Travis Hunter (Colorado)

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A former No. 1 overall recruit and transfer for the few days he was in the portal, two-way star Travis Hunter is arguably the most interesting player in the country. The Buffs plan to use him heavily on offense and also expect him to lock down opposing receivers on defense, and while many fans are aware of his name not many are familiar with his game. Hunter spent last season at Jackson State with Deion Sanders, so while many people know he was there not many were tuned in. Now that he is at the Power 5 level, all eyes will be on him. 

2. Caleb Williams (USC)

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This one is pretty self explanatory. Caleb Williams is the best player in college football, and this is likely his last season at the college level before he goes No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. The Heisman winner from a year ago is looking to do what no other Lincoln Riley quarterback could do, which is lead his team to a championship. He also happens to be one of the more interesting players in college football.

1. Deion Sanders (Colorado)

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The hoodie in the picture displays perfectly the kind of energy that Deion Sanders has brought to Colorado. He was one of the most entertaining players during his playing days, and now he is bringing that same charisma and swagger as a coach. He was mic'd up for Colorado's spring game and of course was entertaining, so hearing him during a game that counts for something regardless of it being good or bad will catch the attention of many.