Syracuse hires Wheatley as running backs coach
February, 9, 2010
Feb 9
7:08
PM ET
A day after announcing its running backs had decided to return home for family reasons, Syracuse hired a big name to fill the position.
Former Michigan star Tyrone Wheatley will join Doug Marrone’s staff to replace Roger Harriott, who decided to return to his job at a Florida prep school after being hired late last month. Wheatley was a three-time All-Big Ten running back who played 10 years in the NFL for the New York Giants and the Oakland Raiders. He was the running backs coach at Eastern Michigan last season. Wheatley has also worked as a coaching intern at Ohio Northern and was the football and track coach for a high school in 2006 and 2007.
He ranks fourth on the all-time Michigan rushing yards list with 4,178 and was the 1992 Big Ten player of the year and the 1994 Rose Bowl MVP. At Syracuse, he'll work with Delone Carter, who rushed for 1,021 yards last season, as well as talented backups Antwon Bailey and Averin Collier.
Former Michigan star Tyrone Wheatley will join Doug Marrone’s staff to replace Roger Harriott, who decided to return to his job at a Florida prep school after being hired late last month. Wheatley was a three-time All-Big Ten running back who played 10 years in the NFL for the New York Giants and the Oakland Raiders. He was the running backs coach at Eastern Michigan last season. Wheatley has also worked as a coaching intern at Ohio Northern and was the football and track coach for a high school in 2006 and 2007.
He ranks fourth on the all-time Michigan rushing yards list with 4,178 and was the 1992 Big Ten player of the year and the 1994 Rose Bowl MVP. At Syracuse, he'll work with Delone Carter, who rushed for 1,021 yards last season, as well as talented backups Antwon Bailey and Averin Collier.
Colleague Ivan Maisel has a thought-provoking story Tuesday about how teams make their roster numbers add up. The NCAA allows you to enroll 25 signees per year but only have 85 scholarships at one time, and many schools have signed many more than 25 in recent years.
How about in the Big East? Syracuse was the only school to sign more than 25 players this year, with 31. However, seven of those signees enrolled in January and counted against last year's recruiting class, which had only 17 members.
South Florida signed 29 players in 2009, but not every player made it into school. In fact, seven of the Bulls' 2009 signees are not on the current roster.
Schools approach this in different ways. Some sign as many as possible and try to figure out the numbers later on. A team like Pittsburgh, on the other hand, signed 19 in 2008, 20 in 2009 and 24 in 2010.
West Virginia coach Bill Stewart signed 25 guys and has a lot of returning starters from 2009. He said he would like to get to a position where the Mountaineers give out 16 to 18 scholarships per year and two to three maximum per position.
"It’ll take four years to get this all worked out," he said on signing day. "It just doesn’t work itself out overnight."
However each school does it, the math always seems to work out by the time the season starts.
How about in the Big East? Syracuse was the only school to sign more than 25 players this year, with 31. However, seven of those signees enrolled in January and counted against last year's recruiting class, which had only 17 members.
South Florida signed 29 players in 2009, but not every player made it into school. In fact, seven of the Bulls' 2009 signees are not on the current roster.
Schools approach this in different ways. Some sign as many as possible and try to figure out the numbers later on. A team like Pittsburgh, on the other hand, signed 19 in 2008, 20 in 2009 and 24 in 2010.
West Virginia coach Bill Stewart signed 25 guys and has a lot of returning starters from 2009. He said he would like to get to a position where the Mountaineers give out 16 to 18 scholarships per year and two to three maximum per position.
"It’ll take four years to get this all worked out," he said on signing day. "It just doesn’t work itself out overnight."
However each school does it, the math always seems to work out by the time the season starts.
WVU's Galloway named top Big East recruiter
February, 9, 2010
Feb 9
2:54
PM ET
ESPN.com's J.C. Shurburtt has come out with his list of top recruiters in each conference. For the Big East, his choice is West Virginia receivers coach Lonnie Galloway.
Much was made of Doc Holliday's departure for Marshall, but the fact is West Virginia was still able to compile one of its best classes in recent memory, at least according to the various rankings. If safety Latwan Anderson remains in the fold, it will become even stronger.
Bill Stewart's staff still has plenty of top-notch recruiters, including rising star Chris Beatty. And now Galloway has been recognized for his work.
"Galloway was able to land four-star receiver Ivan McCartney (Miramar, Fla./Miramar) late in the process over the hometown Miami Hurricanes and others. Throw in Georgia sleeper Quantavious Leslie (Hogansville, Ga./Calloway) and junior college linebacker Bruce Irvin (Stone Mountain, Ga./Mt. San Antonio College), and Galloway had an impressive three-man haul for the top class in the Big East."
Much was made of Doc Holliday's departure for Marshall, but the fact is West Virginia was still able to compile one of its best classes in recent memory, at least according to the various rankings. If safety Latwan Anderson remains in the fold, it will become even stronger.
Bill Stewart's staff still has plenty of top-notch recruiters, including rising star Chris Beatty. And now Galloway has been recognized for his work.
We may be snowed in, but nothing stops the Big East mailman.
Nathan from Temple Terrace, Fla., writes: I've thoroughly enjoyed the blog since I found it and it's turned me into an ESPN.com regular. Disregarding for the moment the question of whether either could actually happen, which do you think would be bigger for USF this year: beating Florida in Gainesville or winning the Big East?
Brian Bennett: That's an interesting question. Obviously, topping the Gators would be a huge statement for the Bulls and for new coach Skip Holtz and would really give the entire program a huge credibility boost. On the other hand, South Florida did win at (an admittedly weaker) Florida State last year and still finished 8-5. Some would say Florida was simply in a rebuilding mode post-Tebow if the Bulls pulled the upset. I maintain that winning the Big East and getting to a BCS bowl -- which really energizes a program -- is the biggest possible achievement for South Florida in 2010.
William from Cincinnati writes: Do you see Marcus Barnett getting the opportunity to start for his final season as a Bearcat? With a plethora of really good receivers, I don't see how he could unseat D.J. Woods, Armon Binns, and Vidal Hazelton. Also, why do you think Brian Kelly chose not to use Barnett as much in the 2008/2009 seasons? His 862 yards and 13 TDs as a freshman is pretty good. Was he in Brian Kelly's doghouse and if so why?
Brian Bennett: Barnett's case is a curious one. I remember seeing him walk onto the team bus after practice during Sugar Bowl week and thinking, "Oh, yeah, whatever happened to that guy?" Not only was he a budding star his freshman year, but he even started a game early last year at cornerback before completely disappearing. The whispers from Cincinnati were that he was not a favorite of Kelly's, who may have thought Barnett enjoyed his freshman year production a little too much. Barnett has a lot of work to do to be a factor his senior year, but having a new coaching staff and a fresh set of eyes may do him a world of good.
Jared S. from Chicago writes: I am curious what the starting lineup and depth charts are looking like in the Big East as well as Pitt for the key positions. I know for one thing that I am a little shaky about the QB situation. I do feel however that Anthony Gonzalez and Mark Myers, those new recruits, should take a year or two to develop instead of throwing them in as true freshman. Thoughts?
Brian Bennett: It's a little early for depth charts. We'll start seeing some two-deeps when spring practice begins in March or April, but we're a long way away from anything definitive. As for the Pitt quarterback situation, don't expect to see Gonzalez or Myers playing quarterback this year. Dave Wannstedt said as much at his signing day news conference, where he heaped some praise on Tino Sunseri while also mentioning Pat Bostick. I think he feels very comfortable with those two guys, and Pitt does not need to throw a rookie into the fire under center.
Bennett from Syracuse, N.Y., writes: I have been reading a lot about all these high school coaches claiming Syracuse is recreating their foundation for football recruiting. What are your thoughts? Plus people keep saying Rutgers took entire regions away recruiting wise away from Syracuse.
Brian Bennett: Well, we've seen some instances where Rutgers and Syracuse have been fighting over the same kid -- one, linebacker Malcolm Cater, flipped three times between the two schools. It's not mere coincidence that Rutgers' rise happened began about the same time as Syracuse's fall. Greg Robinson and his staff did not do a good job building or continuing relationships in the New York area. Doug Marrone has definitely worked hard to fix that and has made a lot of progress. Now the Orange need to get back to going to bowl games so they can compete for a higher level of recruit in the future.
Tim from West Hartford, Conn., writes: In regards to your question about Connecticut recruiting: I think there are a number of factors that make it difficult to get the best players to stay in Connecticut. First, it is tougher for UConn to nab the players from the southern part of the state, particularly Fairfield County, because that part of the state does not follow UConn sports as closely. Fairfield County gets N.Y. radio and TV stations that cover N.Y. sports. And NY is a pro town; if they do talk college football, they concentrate on big names and don't give UConn much thought.
Connecticut is a small place and there are many transplants. Heck, it is even part of our state flag's motto. "Qui transtinent sustinent" (He who is transplanted shall still sustain.) A lot of people that live here have ties to other parts of the country so it is a pretty normal thing to see kids go elsewhere to play. Additionally, there are a number of coaches in Connecticut that have had personal connections with other big-time programs for years, like BC and Syracuse. I think things are changing, though. Instead of BC, Syracuse, and Penn State, many of the kids that are growing up in Connecticut today are dreaming of going to UConn to play football. That wasn't happening 10 years ago.
Brian Bennett: Thanks for the insight, Tim, and that makes a lot of sense. I hope people in that part of the state realize what they have in UConn and Randy Edsall. The Huskies have proved that you don't have to leave the state to be a part of a winning program and make it to the NFL.
Nathan from Temple Terrace, Fla., writes: I've thoroughly enjoyed the blog since I found it and it's turned me into an ESPN.com regular. Disregarding for the moment the question of whether either could actually happen, which do you think would be bigger for USF this year: beating Florida in Gainesville or winning the Big East?
Brian Bennett: That's an interesting question. Obviously, topping the Gators would be a huge statement for the Bulls and for new coach Skip Holtz and would really give the entire program a huge credibility boost. On the other hand, South Florida did win at (an admittedly weaker) Florida State last year and still finished 8-5. Some would say Florida was simply in a rebuilding mode post-Tebow if the Bulls pulled the upset. I maintain that winning the Big East and getting to a BCS bowl -- which really energizes a program -- is the biggest possible achievement for South Florida in 2010.
William from Cincinnati writes: Do you see Marcus Barnett getting the opportunity to start for his final season as a Bearcat? With a plethora of really good receivers, I don't see how he could unseat D.J. Woods, Armon Binns, and Vidal Hazelton. Also, why do you think Brian Kelly chose not to use Barnett as much in the 2008/2009 seasons? His 862 yards and 13 TDs as a freshman is pretty good. Was he in Brian Kelly's doghouse and if so why?
Brian Bennett: Barnett's case is a curious one. I remember seeing him walk onto the team bus after practice during Sugar Bowl week and thinking, "Oh, yeah, whatever happened to that guy?" Not only was he a budding star his freshman year, but he even started a game early last year at cornerback before completely disappearing. The whispers from Cincinnati were that he was not a favorite of Kelly's, who may have thought Barnett enjoyed his freshman year production a little too much. Barnett has a lot of work to do to be a factor his senior year, but having a new coaching staff and a fresh set of eyes may do him a world of good.
Jared S. from Chicago writes: I am curious what the starting lineup and depth charts are looking like in the Big East as well as Pitt for the key positions. I know for one thing that I am a little shaky about the QB situation. I do feel however that Anthony Gonzalez and Mark Myers, those new recruits, should take a year or two to develop instead of throwing them in as true freshman. Thoughts?
Brian Bennett: It's a little early for depth charts. We'll start seeing some two-deeps when spring practice begins in March or April, but we're a long way away from anything definitive. As for the Pitt quarterback situation, don't expect to see Gonzalez or Myers playing quarterback this year. Dave Wannstedt said as much at his signing day news conference, where he heaped some praise on Tino Sunseri while also mentioning Pat Bostick. I think he feels very comfortable with those two guys, and Pitt does not need to throw a rookie into the fire under center.
Bennett from Syracuse, N.Y., writes: I have been reading a lot about all these high school coaches claiming Syracuse is recreating their foundation for football recruiting. What are your thoughts? Plus people keep saying Rutgers took entire regions away recruiting wise away from Syracuse.
Brian Bennett: Well, we've seen some instances where Rutgers and Syracuse have been fighting over the same kid -- one, linebacker Malcolm Cater, flipped three times between the two schools. It's not mere coincidence that Rutgers' rise happened began about the same time as Syracuse's fall. Greg Robinson and his staff did not do a good job building or continuing relationships in the New York area. Doug Marrone has definitely worked hard to fix that and has made a lot of progress. Now the Orange need to get back to going to bowl games so they can compete for a higher level of recruit in the future.
Tim from West Hartford, Conn., writes: In regards to your question about Connecticut recruiting: I think there are a number of factors that make it difficult to get the best players to stay in Connecticut. First, it is tougher for UConn to nab the players from the southern part of the state, particularly Fairfield County, because that part of the state does not follow UConn sports as closely. Fairfield County gets N.Y. radio and TV stations that cover N.Y. sports. And NY is a pro town; if they do talk college football, they concentrate on big names and don't give UConn much thought.
Connecticut is a small place and there are many transplants. Heck, it is even part of our state flag's motto. "Qui transtinent sustinent" (He who is transplanted shall still sustain.) A lot of people that live here have ties to other parts of the country so it is a pretty normal thing to see kids go elsewhere to play. Additionally, there are a number of coaches in Connecticut that have had personal connections with other big-time programs for years, like BC and Syracuse. I think things are changing, though. Instead of BC, Syracuse, and Penn State, many of the kids that are growing up in Connecticut today are dreaming of going to UConn to play football. That wasn't happening 10 years ago.
Brian Bennett: Thanks for the insight, Tim, and that makes a lot of sense. I hope people in that part of the state realize what they have in UConn and Randy Edsall. The Huskies have proved that you don't have to leave the state to be a part of a winning program and make it to the NFL.
- Floyd Little had to wait a long time before getting the Hall of Fame call, and maybe justifiably so, Bud Poliquin writes in the Syracuse Post-Standard.
- South Florida will have six players at the NFL combine, more than any other Big East school, Greg Auman notes in the St. Petersburg Times.
- The Big East football schedule should be out Wednesday, Scott Carter writes in the Tampa Tribune.
- The Hartford Courant's Desmond Conner sizes up Lawrence Wilson's future draft stock.
The Big East's best: No. 17, Arthur Jones
February, 9, 2010
Feb 9
11:22
AM ET
A postseason ranking of the Big East's top 30 players:
No. 17
JonesArthur Jones, DT, Syracuse, Sr.
Preseason rank: 9
Why him here: On 2009 statistics alone, Jones might have a hard time making this list. He had only 18 tackles last season, though more than a third of them were for a loss.
But let's look at the big picture here. Jones had a standout four-year career for a team that often wasn't very good around him. He was subjected to constant double-teams as the Orange's best defensive lineman. He was coming back from a torn pectoral muscle in the preseason and missed the end of the regular season with a knee injury.
The bottom line is that the 6-foot-4, 295-pounder was one of the best interior linemen in the Big East, and he remains an intriguing NFL draft prospect. Just maybe not the first- or second-rounder he was projected to be a year ago.
Previous:
No. 18: Lawrence Wilson, LB, Connecticut
No. 19: Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
No. 20: Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut
No. 21: Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
No. 23: Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
No. 24: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 25: Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
No. 26: George Selvie, DE, South Florida
No. 27: Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida
No. 28: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 29: Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut
No. 30: Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cincinnati
No. 17
Preseason rank: 9
Why him here: On 2009 statistics alone, Jones might have a hard time making this list. He had only 18 tackles last season, though more than a third of them were for a loss.
But let's look at the big picture here. Jones had a standout four-year career for a team that often wasn't very good around him. He was subjected to constant double-teams as the Orange's best defensive lineman. He was coming back from a torn pectoral muscle in the preseason and missed the end of the regular season with a knee injury.
The bottom line is that the 6-foot-4, 295-pounder was one of the best interior linemen in the Big East, and he remains an intriguing NFL draft prospect. Just maybe not the first- or second-rounder he was projected to be a year ago.
Previous:
No. 18: Lawrence Wilson, LB, Connecticut
No. 19: Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
No. 20: Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut
No. 21: Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
No. 23: Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
No. 24: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 25: Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
No. 26: George Selvie, DE, South Florida
No. 27: Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida
No. 28: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 29: Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut
No. 30: Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cincinnati
Dave Wannstedt has hired Bernard Clark as Pitt's new linebackers coach.
Clark had been the defensive coordinator at Hampton. Before that, he was an assistant at Florida International and the defensive line coach at South Florida. He played linebacker at Miami in the 1980s when Wannstedt was the Hurricanes' defensive coordinator there.
Clark's recruiting ties to Florida made him an appealing candidate. Pitt did not sign a player out of Florida this recruiting season.
Clark had been the defensive coordinator at Hampton. Before that, he was an assistant at Florida International and the defensive line coach at South Florida. He played linebacker at Miami in the 1980s when Wannstedt was the Hurricanes' defensive coordinator there.
Clark's recruiting ties to Florida made him an appealing candidate. Pitt did not sign a player out of Florida this recruiting season.
Syracuse is in the market for a running backs coach -- again.
Roger Harriott, who was hired late last month from University School of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has decided to return to his old job for family reasons, the school announced. That leaves Doug Marrone again looking for a replacement for Stan Drayton.
Harriott seemed like an unconventional choice from the beginning because he had never coached in college. But he had roots in Florida which could have been valuable for recruiting purposes.
Roger Harriott, who was hired late last month from University School of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has decided to return to his old job for family reasons, the school announced. That leaves Doug Marrone again looking for a replacement for Stan Drayton.
Harriott seemed like an unconventional choice from the beginning because he had never coached in college. But he had roots in Florida which could have been valuable for recruiting purposes.
The Big East's best: No. 18, Lawrence Wilson
February, 8, 2010
Feb 8
4:33
PM ET
A postseason ranking of the Big East's Top 30 players ...
WilsonNo. 18
Lawrence Wilson, LB, Connecticut, Jr.
Preseason rank: NR
Why him here: In the preseason, it was Wilson's teammate and fellow UConn linebacker Scott Lutrus who made the top 30 list. While Lutrus remains an excellent player, his 2009 season was sidetracked by injuries.
Wilson took up the slack in Lutrus' absence, and in a big way. He led the Big East in tackles with 140, finishing 10th nationally in total tackles and fifth in the FBS with 80 solo stops. He also added five sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Nicknamed "Bama" because he grew up in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the lightly recruited Wilson has shown that he, too, is a star on the Huskies' defense. The first-team All-Big East performer will enter 2010 as an early candidate for defensive player of the year honors. He can run and he can hit, and with a healthy Lutrus back, UConn should have one of the top linebacking corps in the conference.
Previous:
No. 19: Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
No. 20: Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut
No. 21: Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
No. 23: Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
No. 24: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 25: Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
No. 26: George Selvie, DE, South Florida
No. 27: Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida
No. 28: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 29: Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut
No. 30: Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cincinnati
Lawrence Wilson, LB, Connecticut, Jr.
Preseason rank: NR
Why him here: In the preseason, it was Wilson's teammate and fellow UConn linebacker Scott Lutrus who made the top 30 list. While Lutrus remains an excellent player, his 2009 season was sidetracked by injuries.
Wilson took up the slack in Lutrus' absence, and in a big way. He led the Big East in tackles with 140, finishing 10th nationally in total tackles and fifth in the FBS with 80 solo stops. He also added five sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Nicknamed "Bama" because he grew up in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the lightly recruited Wilson has shown that he, too, is a star on the Huskies' defense. The first-team All-Big East performer will enter 2010 as an early candidate for defensive player of the year honors. He can run and he can hit, and with a healthy Lutrus back, UConn should have one of the top linebacking corps in the conference.
Previous:
No. 19: Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
No. 20: Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut
No. 21: Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
No. 23: Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
No. 24: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 25: Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
No. 26: George Selvie, DE, South Florida
No. 27: Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida
No. 28: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 29: Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut
No. 30: Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cincinnati
Newcomers to watch in the Big East this spring
February, 8, 2010
Feb 8
2:00
PM ET
If the 2009 Big East season taught us anything, it was that newcomers can have a big impact.
From offensive player of the year Dion Lewis to Tom Savage and Mohamed Sanu to Jason Pierre-Paul to Greg Paulus, new faces were having an impact all over the league. So which newcomers to the Big East should we be keeping an eye on this spring? Here are a few candidates:
From offensive player of the year Dion Lewis to Tom Savage and Mohamed Sanu to Jason Pierre-Paul to Greg Paulus, new faces were having an impact all over the league. So which newcomers to the Big East should we be keeping an eye on this spring? Here are a few candidates:
- Vidal Hazelton, WR, Cincinnati: The USC transfer becomes eligible this season and could become an immediate star. He's got size, at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, and wowed onlookers at practice last year. Hazelton could help make sure the Bearcats don't miss a beat on offense this season without Mardy Gilyard.
- Will Clarke, DE, West Virginia: The Mountaineers need some depth up front defensively, and Clarke should be able to help out after a redshirt year. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Pittsburgh native can use this spring to push for playing time at defensive end before highly regarded junior college transfer Bruce Irvin arrives this summer.
- Darrell Givens, CB, Rutgers: Givens was an ESPNU 150 recruit who came to Rutgers after not being admitted to Penn State last year. He spent the 2009 season redshirting as the Scarlet Knights had Devin McCourty. Now may be Givens' time to shine with both McCourty and Billy Anderson gone. Also keep an eye on Logan Ryan, a fellow redshirt freshman corner who was neck and neck with Givens in practice sessions last year.
- Claude Davis, DE, South Florida: The next Pierre-Paul? OK, that's expecting too much of anyone. But like the Bulls' one-year wonder, Davis was a junior college standout with excellent measurables (6-foot-4, 250 pounds). Unlike his predecessor, Davis enrolled in January and will get a full spring under his belt before entering major college football. And with Pierre-Paul and George Selvie both off to the NFL, there is ample playing time available.
- Devin Street, WR, Pittsburgh: Street wasn't one of Pitt's more heralded recruits from the class of 2009, but he won rave reviews last season as a member of the scout team. This spring provides an opportunity for the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder to show he's ready to become an option behind Jonathan Baldwin and Mike Shanahan in the Pitt passing game.
- Doug Marrone isn't surprised one bit by what Drew Brees has accomplished, Bud Poliquin writes in the Syracuse Post-Standard.
- One Huskies fan's thoughts on how the Jasper Howard tragedy may have changed Randy Edsall.
- South Florida now has a jet for recruiting purposes, though the Bulls primarily recruit within their own state, Lindsay Peterson writes in the Tampa Tribune.
- A junior college receiver picked Louisville because of the potential for immediate playing time, Jody Demling writes in The Courier-Journal.
- The Home News Tribune's Keith Sargeant talks Rutgers recruiting with an expert.
The Big East's best: No. 19, Tom Savage
February, 8, 2010
Feb 8
11:00
AM ET
A postseason ranking of the Big East's top 30 players ...
No. 19
Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers, Fr.
Savage
Preseason rank: NR
Why him here: We may have taken for advantage just how good Savage's 2009 season was.
Here was a guy who arrived on campus in the summer as a true freshman and basically claimed the starting quarterback job by the second half of the opening game against Cincinnati. Rutgers won eight games with Savage starting last season.
Were his numbers (52.3 percent passing, 2,211 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions) overwhelming? No. But again, this was a true freshman at quarterback, and he had only one experienced receiver and no explosive running game to help him out.
A former big-time recruit, Savage showed uncanny poise and an ability to manage a game while limiting mistakes in his first year of college football. This ranking system accounts for future potential, and I'd argue that Savage has as much of that as any player in the Big East right now.
Previous:
No. 20: Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut
No. 21: Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
No. 23: Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
No. 24: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 25: Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
No. 26: George Selvie, DE, South Florida
No. 27: Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida
No. 28: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 29: Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut
No. 30: Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cincinnati
No. 19
Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers, Fr.
Savage
Preseason rank: NR
Why him here: We may have taken for advantage just how good Savage's 2009 season was.
Here was a guy who arrived on campus in the summer as a true freshman and basically claimed the starting quarterback job by the second half of the opening game against Cincinnati. Rutgers won eight games with Savage starting last season.
Were his numbers (52.3 percent passing, 2,211 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions) overwhelming? No. But again, this was a true freshman at quarterback, and he had only one experienced receiver and no explosive running game to help him out.
A former big-time recruit, Savage showed uncanny poise and an ability to manage a game while limiting mistakes in his first year of college football. This ranking system accounts for future potential, and I'd argue that Savage has as much of that as any player in the Big East right now.
Previous:
No. 20: Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut
No. 21: Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
No. 23: Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
No. 24: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 25: Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
No. 26: George Selvie, DE, South Florida
No. 27: Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida
No. 28: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 29: Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut
No. 30: Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cincinnati
A year ago at this time, the Big East was dealing with the loss of a plethora of stars, including some of the best players in league history. Guys like Pat White, Donald Brown, Kenny Britt, LeSean McCoy and Scott McKillop seemed difficult, if not impossible, to replace. The league fared just fine in 2009 without those stars, and the good news for 2010 is that many of its top performers will be back. But that's not to say there aren't still some key losses that teams will have to adjust to this spring. Here's a look at the biggest shoes to fill this season in the Big East:
- Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati: The Bearcats aren't exactly hurting at wide receiver with Armon Binns, D.J. Woods and USC transfer Vidal Hazelton around. Still, someone must replace Gilyard's leadership and knack for making the big play at crucial times. What might be even more difficult to replace is Gilyard's production on special teams. The two-time Big East special teams player of the year was always a threat to score on kickoffs and punt returns. And hopefully someone will step in Gilyard's role as the best quote in the entire conference.
- Tim Brown, WR, Rutgers: Brown may not have received a ton of attention nationally, but he was vitally important to the Scarlet Knights. The speedster averaged 20.9 yards per catch and amassed 1,150 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as the team's only true deep threat. With a still very young receiving corps surrounding Tom Savage, Rutgers will need to find someone who can stretch the field the way Brown did.
- Mick Williams, DT, Pittsburgh: The 2009 co-defensive player of the year in the conference, Williams was a wildly disruptive force in the middle of that Panthers defensive line, as well as an inspirational leader. With fellow senior tackle Gus Mustakas also gone, Pitt needs more production from backups Myles Caragein and Chas Alecxih, among others.
- Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers: McCourty was an underappreciated gem for the Scarlet Knights, a lockdown cornerback who also was seemingly everywhere on special teams. He was the leader of the secondary. Guys with his skills don't come around that often.
- Reed Williams, LB, West Virginia: The Mountaineers had to deal with Williams' absence for most of 2008 and at times this past season because of various injuries. But it was clear that they were a different team whenever Williams was healthy. A smart player (he's the 2009 Big East football scholar-athlete of the year ) who anchored the defense at middle linebacker, Williams was like a coach on the field.
- George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida: Say what you will about Selvie's dwindling production, but opposing offense still always had to account for him. And Pierre-Paul ascended to star status in his one year on campus. Combined, the two produced 26 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2009. The Bulls now need the next wave of pass-rushers to emerge, with former stud recruit Ryne Giddins one possible candidate.
Pitt, Syracuse add to Hall of Fame rosters
February, 8, 2010
Feb 8
8:23
AM ET
The newest induction class into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was unveiled over the weekend, and two Big East schools will be sending more players to Canton.
Two former Pittsburgh greats, offensive lineman Russ Grimm and defensive end Rickey Jackson, were voted in to give the Panthers six professional Hall of Famers. The others are Tony Dorsett, Mike Ditka, Dan Marino and Joe Schmidt.
Remarkably, Grimm, Jackson and Marino were all on the same 1980 Pittsburgh team. Grimm and Jackson were recruited together in the 1977 class. Grimm was the team's starting center and went on to star at guard for the Washington Redskins. Jackson, who teamed with Hugh Green to form a fearsome pass-rushing duo at Pitt, played 15 seasons in the NFL and piled up 128 career sacks.
Syracuse also put a player in the Hall of Fame when running back Floyd Little was chosen by the senior committee.
Little becomes the seventh Orange alum in Canton, joining Jim Brown, Jim Ringo, Larry Csonka, Al Davis, John Mackey and Art Monk.
Little starred for the Denver Broncos in the AFL and NFL, and he led the NFL in rushing yards in 1971 with 1,133.
At Syracuse, he ran for 2,704 yards and 35 touchdowns between 1964 and 1966, and was the first Orange player to run for more than 1,000 yards in a season.
Two former Pittsburgh greats, offensive lineman Russ Grimm and defensive end Rickey Jackson, were voted in to give the Panthers six professional Hall of Famers. The others are Tony Dorsett, Mike Ditka, Dan Marino and Joe Schmidt.
Remarkably, Grimm, Jackson and Marino were all on the same 1980 Pittsburgh team. Grimm and Jackson were recruited together in the 1977 class. Grimm was the team's starting center and went on to star at guard for the Washington Redskins. Jackson, who teamed with Hugh Green to form a fearsome pass-rushing duo at Pitt, played 15 seasons in the NFL and piled up 128 career sacks.
Syracuse also put a player in the Hall of Fame when running back Floyd Little was chosen by the senior committee.
Little becomes the seventh Orange alum in Canton, joining Jim Brown, Jim Ringo, Larry Csonka, Al Davis, John Mackey and Art Monk.
Little starred for the Denver Broncos in the AFL and NFL, and he led the NFL in rushing yards in 1971 with 1,133.
At Syracuse, he ran for 2,704 yards and 35 touchdowns between 1964 and 1966, and was the first Orange player to run for more than 1,000 yards in a season.
The Big East's best: No. 20, Andre Dixon
February, 5, 2010
Feb 5
4:45
PM ET
A postseason ranking of the Big East's Top 30 players ...
DixonNo. 20
Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut, Sr.
Preseason ranking: NR
Why him here: Dixon was another guy who entered 2009 with several question marks.
After leading UConn in rushing as a sophomore, he disappeared his junior year behind Donald Brown. In Randy Edsall's doghouse early and again late because of an arrest, Dixon was hoping to redeem himself as a senior.
And that's exactly what he did. He rushed for 1,093 yards and 14 touchdowns, joining teammate Jordan Todman in going over the 1k mark. Dixon memorably ran for 114 yards and the winning score at Notre Dame, and he had 126 yards and a score in the Papajohns.com Bowl victory over South Carolina.
At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds and the ability to run for tough yards, Dixon should get a chance to run on Sundays.
No. 21: Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
No. 23: Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
No. 24: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 25: Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
No. 26: George Selvie, DE, South Florida
No. 27: Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida
No. 28: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 29: Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut
No. 30: Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cincinnati
Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut, Sr.
Preseason ranking: NR
Why him here: Dixon was another guy who entered 2009 with several question marks.
After leading UConn in rushing as a sophomore, he disappeared his junior year behind Donald Brown. In Randy Edsall's doghouse early and again late because of an arrest, Dixon was hoping to redeem himself as a senior.
And that's exactly what he did. He rushed for 1,093 yards and 14 touchdowns, joining teammate Jordan Todman in going over the 1k mark. Dixon memorably ran for 114 yards and the winning score at Notre Dame, and he had 126 yards and a score in the Papajohns.com Bowl victory over South Carolina.
At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds and the ability to run for tough yards, Dixon should get a chance to run on Sundays.
No. 21: Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Nate Allen, S, South Florida
No. 23: Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
No. 24: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 25: Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
No. 26: George Selvie, DE, South Florida
No. 27: Kion Wilson, LB, South Florida
No. 28: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 29: Lindsey Witten, DE, Connecticut
No. 30: Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cincinnati
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Brian Bennett
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
