We all know that recruiting is an inexact science, and Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright proves the point, as Wright's Twitter handle -- TwoStarScoob -- testified while the true sophomore unanimous All-American became the nation's most decorated defensive player, winning the Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik awards.

That is the focus of this series. We'll run through each Pac-12 team and highlight a player who was low on star rating when he arrived on campus but became a critical guy.

Up next: Oregon

Two-star Scoob: QB Marcus Mariota

Recruiting ratings: ESPN.com: two stars; Rivals.com: three stars, No. 12 QB; Scout.com: No. 34 QB.

Recruiting analysis: It’s hard to be seen by recruiters when you’re living on the islands. Mariota learned this lesson very quickly (plus, he was a backup most of his high school career, which doesn’t exactly help visibility). If there was one thing that ESPN.com’s recruiting analysis absolutely got on point and saw in Mariota, even as a high schooler, it is this: “He appears to be at his best when the launch point is moved and he can make plays on the run or when improvising.”

On campus? After redshirting during his freshman year, Mariota went on to become the most decorated player in Oregon history. Not bad for a two- or three-star guy, eh? During his three-year career he completed 66.8 percent of his passes for a total of 10,796 yards. He accounted for 134 touchdowns (105 passing, 29 rushing) while throwing just 14 interceptions and tallying just 27 fumbles (he lost only 11). As a passer, his yards-per-pass-attempt improved in each season: 8.0 as a redshirt freshman; 9.5 as a redshirt sophomore; 10.0 as a redshirt junior. And though his yards per rush this season were actually a career worst (5.7 yards per carry), he tallied 15 rushing touchdowns, a career best. Over the last three years Mariota accrued the best average adjusted QBR of any quarterback (88.8), and he finished this season with another FBS-best, 90.8.