| Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene is currently the highest projected Big East player in CBSSports.com's 2013 NFL Draft Rankings. Greene is projected to be taken in rounds 2 or 3. (Getty Images) |
Here’s the latest on the conference’s top players who are projected to go from playing on Saturdays to starring on Sundays.
1. LB Khaseem Greene, 6-1, 230, Rutgers
Why he has the top spot: Greene and his Scarlet Knights’ teammates held Arkansas running back Knile Davis to 17 yards on 10 carries in Saturday’s statement win. While Davis continues to recover from a knee injury, he is still the eighth-ranked running back in the 2013 NFL Draft by CBSSports.com.
Though quarterback Gary Nova carried the Scarlet Knights against the Razorbacks with a superlative night, Greene turned in a customary solid performance with seven tackles and two pass breakups. As Rutgers continues to moving up in the polls, expect Greene to receive more national attention. The senior linebacker has moved up one spot among outside linebackers and 18 spots overall in our latest player rankings since last week. Greene has recovered from a horrific ankle injury in a season-ending win over Iowa State in the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl.
Season stats (four games): 41 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 TFLs, 3 pass defenses.
Player ranking: Greene is ranked 82nd overall and is the seventh-highest outside linebacker in CBSSports.com latest player rankings.
Up next: Connecticut, Saturday Oct. 6, 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN U).
2. DE Trevardo Williams, 6-1, 234, UConn
Why he has the second spot: Williams has been menacing off the edge this season, as his crushing hit on NC State quarterback Mike Glennon in Week 2 illustrated. Williams needs eight more sacks to set the school’s single-season record (13) and just three more to set the school’s all-time career mark (27). There’s a good chance he’ll accomplish both. On the next level, Williams has the speed to play from a stand up position at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. If he packs on 20 pounds of muscle before next April, he could remain as a 4-3 defensive end. Williams has exceptional quickness. In workouts, he has gone step for step with former Purdue and Eagles RB/WR Keith Carlos. The ex-Boilermakers' running back has been clocked as fast as 4.33 in the 40.
Season stats (four games): 5.5 sacks, 6.5 TFLs, 17 tackles, 1 FF, 1 QB hit.
Player ranking: Williams is ranked 87th overall and is the eighth-highest outside linebacker in CBSSports.com latest player rankings.
Up next: Buffalo, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (Big East Network/ESPN 3).
3. QB Ryan Nassib, 6-2, 223, Syracuse
Why he has the third spot: After a stellar opening to the season, Nassib is allowed to have a misstep. Nassib entered last Saturday’s game at Minnesota ranked second in FBS in passing yards per game (397.6), but was just 21 for 31 for 228 yards in the defeat. Two interceptions were even more disconcerting, including a momentum killing pick near the goal line in the third quarter. Still, Nassib has looked comfortable in coach Doug Marrone’s multiple-formation offense and has exhibited a strong arm early in the season. In a season-opening 42-41 defeat against Northwestern, Nassib tied a Big East record for completions with 45 and set the conference all-time mark in attempts with 66. Nassib also set a school record with 482 passing yards. A second straight subpar effort by Nassib could cause him to slide.
Season stats (four games): 118 of 174 (67.8 completion percentage), 10 TDs, 5 INTs, 341.75 yards per game.
Player ranking: Nassib is ranked 88th overall and the 10th highest quarterback in CBSSports.com latest player rankings.
Up next: vs. Pittsburgh, Friday Oct. 5, 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN).
Keep an eye on: K/P Brandon McManus, 6-2, 190, Temple
Why you should watch him? An increasingly violent climate in the NFL has made gamedays even more perilous for kickers and punters. Take Sunday’s Lions-Titans game, for instance. A leg injury to Lions punter Ben Graham forced kicker Jason Hanson into double duty. McManus is one of only eight players in the nation who handles all kicking responsibilities. The senior earned Big East special teams player of the week honors on Monday for his performance against Penn State. McManus hit two field goals to extend his Temple school record total to 52. He also boomed six punts for 291 yards (48.5 yard average). Only nine punters in the NFL have a higher gross average. McManus can also handle pressure -- he hit a game-winning field goal his freshman year against Miami (Ohio).
Season stats (three games): 6 of 7 FGs (long 42), 9 of 9 PATs, 15 punts, 707 yards (47.1 yard average), 14 touchbacks -- 61.8 yard average.
Player ranking: McManus is ranked seventh among kickers and No. 452 overall in CBSSports.com’s latest player rankings. McManus is not rated among punters.
Up next: vs. South Florida, Saturday Oct. 6, 12 ET (Big East Network/ESPN 3).
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Big East, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.