Big East's Top 10 Players

SI Staff | Aug 17, 2006

Big East's Top 10 Players /

Big East's Top 10 Players

Stephen Nicholas, LB

One of the nation's most underrated players, Nicholas boasts phenomenal range and accumulates tackles at a very high rate. If he were at a bigger program than South Florida, he'd be a household name. Though a bit undersized at 225 pounds, he packs a powerful punch.

Mario Urrutia, WR

An explosive deep threat, Urrutia averaged 21.5 yards per catch as a freshman and led the team with seven receiving touchdowns. The team's No. 3 receiver last season, he'll be Brohm's top target this fall. At 6-6, 228 pounds, he's a dangerous red-zone threat.

Clark Harris, TE

He has all the tools (6-6, 250 pounds with great hands) to go early in the 2007 NFL draft. He has improved greatly as a blocker over his first three years at Rutgers.

Dan Mozes, C

One of the country's best centers, Mozes (left) has a notable mean streak and a motor that won't quit. In his fourth year starting, the 6-foot-4 290-pounder knows the ins and outs of the Mountaineers' blocking schemes. He moved from guard to center in the third game of last season and didn't miss a beat.(left)

Pat White, QB

Given his 4.4 speed and that he'll have RB Steve Slaton at his side, White is one of the most dangerous players in the game. His passing was a bit inconsistent last year, though he did complete 11 of 14 against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Brian Leonard, FB

Greg Schiano's offense revolves around this multitalented 6-2, 235-pound fullback who ran for 740 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2005. He's also a top-tier option out of the backfield and caught 55 passes for 568 yards and six TDs last year. Leonard flirted with the NFL draft before deciding to come back for his senior season.

H.B. Blades, LB

A third-year starter, Blades is the leader of the Panthers' D. Shooting for his third straight first-team All-Big East nod (which would be a first for the Pitt program), Blades has never missed a game and is one of the most prolific tacklers in the country (286 career stops). He's the son of Bennie Blades, who starred at Miami.

Steve Slaton, RB

He started last fall deep on the depth chart but ended up rushing for 1,128 yards and 17 touchdowns in nine games as a true freshman. His coup de grace came against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, when he scampered for 204 yards and three TDs, earning MVP honors.

Michael Bush, RB

He uses his 6-3, 250-pound frame to bulldoze through defenses, but he's also surprisingly fast. At the goal line it's near impossible to deny Bush, who scored 24 touchdowns last season. He also boasts soft hands, catching 21 passes last year.

Brian Brohm, QB

He tore his ACL near the end of last season, but when healthy he's one of the best pure quarterbacks in the country. At 6-foot-4, 224 pounds, he has NFL size and is a highly precise thrower (68.8 percent passing last season with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions).

Published Aug 17, 2006

SI STAFF