We are down to the final two in our countdown of the top 25 players in the Big East.
No. 2 Brandon Lindsey, DE/LB, Pitt
It was a toss up between Lindsey and Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros in the 2-3 spot. Ultimately I went with Lindsey for a variety of reasons. First, I think he has an excellent chance to continue the Pitt tradition of stalwart defensive players and win the league player of the year award. His ability to disrupt rushing off the edge is terrific. Lindsey led the league with 17.5 tackles for loss last season and was second with 10 sacks.
Second, he will be playing the new "Panther" position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role that seems suited for him and his ability to rush the passer. At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, he will be lining up from a standing position, something he says will make him even better.
"It definitely will help me out getting to the quarterback a little quicker because I can see the ball a lot easier than I would if I was coming out of a stance," Lindsey said. "Getting off the ball as quickly as I can will help me get a jump on the tackle."
The countdown
No. 25 Dave Teggart, PK, UConn
No. 24 B.J. Daniels, QB, USF
No. 23 Tino Sunseri, QB, Pitt
No. 22 Victor Anderson, RB, Louisville
No. 21 Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati
No. 20 Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 19 Jarred Holley, S, Pitt
No. 18 Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
No. 17 Julian Miller, DE, West Virginia
No. 16. D.J. Woods, WR, Cincinnati
No. 15 Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UConn
No. 14 Hakeem Smith, S, Louisville
No. 13 Mark Harrison, WR, Rutgers
No. 12 Moe Petrus, C, UConn
No. 11 JK Schaffer, LB, Cincinnati
No. 10 Sio Moore, LB, UConn
No. 9 Keith Tandy, CB, West Virginia
No. 8 Ray Graham, RB, Pitt
No. 7 Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
No. 6 Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
No. 5 Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia
No. 4 Kendall Reyes, DT, UConn
No. 3 Zach Collaros, QB, Cincinnati