Time to move on in our countdown of the top 25 players in the Big East in 2012.
No. 9 Montel Harris, RB, Temple
Making the case: Harris was terrific during his career at Boston College, so seeing him crack the top 10 should not come as a major surprise. When he transferred to Temple for his senior season, there was no question he would be able to help solidify the Owls' rushing game with Bernard Pierce off to the NFL. Despite missing a few games because of injury, Harris still led the Big East in rushing yards per game (105.4), yards per carry (5.7), was tops among all running backs in scoring (7.2 ppg) and finished second behind teammate Matt Brown in all-purpose yards (116.6).
In 10 games, Harris had five 100-yard games and earned a spot on the All-Big East first team. The highlight of the season is one folks won't soon forget. Harris ran roughshod over Army to the tune of 351 yards and seven touchdowns, setting Big East and school single-game records. He posted the most yards rushing ever against an Army opponent, breaking the old mark of 268 held by Tony Dorsett. In all, Harris ran for 1,054 yards and 12 touchdowns in his only season with the Owls.
Preseason ranking: No. 12
The countdown
No. 10 Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
No. 11 Yawin Smallwood, LB, UConn
No. 12 Greg Blair, LB, Cincinnati
No. 13 Ray Graham/Jawan Jamison, RBs, Pitt/Rutgers
No. 14 Mario Benavides, C, Louisville
No. 15 Adrian Bushell, CB, Louisville
No. 16 Sio Moore, LB, UConn
No. 17 Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse
No. 18 Scott Vallone, DT, Rutgers
No. 19 Jerome Smith, RB, Syracuse
No. 20 Devin Street, WR, Pitt
No. 21 DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
No. 22 Matt Brown, RB, Temple
No. 23 Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
No. 24 Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple
No. 25 Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
