Big East: NFL Draft prospect watch -- Week 9

Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib heads our list of prospects to watch in Week 9. Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene, Pittsburgh RB Ray Graham and Cincinnati RB George Winn are also standouts.

By Matt Rybaltowski

Oct 30, 2012 at 1:36 pm ET • 4 min read

Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib set a Big East record for completions in a game in an opening-week loss to Northwestern. Nassib ranks in the top 15 in FBS in total offense with more than 325 yards per game. (US Presswire)

Here is the latest on the conference's top players who are projected to go from playing on Saturdays to starring on Sundays.

1. QB Ryan Nassib, 6-2, 228, Syracuse

Why he has the top spot: With a stellar senior season, Nassib has moved up the draft charts more than any player in the conference. Though the Orange trailed 23-3 at halftime last Saturday at South Florida, Nassib didn’t panic. He responded with four second-half touchdowns, the last a game-winning, 1-yard pass to Alec Lemon with three seconds left. Syracuse remained in contention for a bowl spot with the 37-36 victory. Nassib has a strong arm, goes through his progressions well and can run when needed. In a 42-41 opening-week loss to Northwestern, Nassib tied a Big East record for completions with 45 and set the conference all-time mark in attempts with 66. He also set a school record with 482 passing yards. On the season, the Orange quarterback ranks in the top 15 in FBS in total offense (326.5 yards per game).

Season stats (eight games): 203 of 310 (65.4 percent), 17 TDs, 8 INTs, 2,487 passing yards. INT.

Player ranking: Nassib is No. 90 overall, and the 10th-highest quarterback in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.

Up next: Syracuse has a critical conference matchup on the road against Cincinnati. The Bearcats rank sixth in the Big East in total defense and last in the conference in pass defense (256.4 yards per game).

2. LB Khaseem Greene, 6-1, 230, Rutgers

Why he has the second spot: Greene is the leader of a stingy unit that might have been considered the top defense in the nation after Notre Dame before last week’s surprising loss to Kent State. The Scarlet Knights still rank sixth in FBS in run defense (88.5 yards per game) and seventh in scoring defense (14.25 ppg). It couldn’t be accomplished without the ubiquitous outside linebacker. Greene quickly converges on running backs, sideline-to-sideline, is a menacing blitzer up the middle and looks more like a safety when dropping into pass coverage. In a 23-15 win over Syracuse on Oct. 13, Greene forced three fumbles, recorded 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks and intercepted a pass against the Orange. The senior has completely recovered from a horrific ankle injury he suffered in a 2011 Pinstripe Bowl win over Iowa State.

Season stats (eight games): 74 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 5 FFs, 4 PBUs.

Player ranking: Greene is ranked No. 63 overall and is the sixth-ranked outside linebacker in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.

Up next: The Scarlet Knights have a bye before facing Army on Nov. 10. The Black Knights’ unorthodox rushing attack leads FBS in rushing yards per game (383.13).

3. RB Ray Graham, 5-9, 192, Pittsburgh

Why you should watch him? The Panthers’ senior running back looked like his old self in Saturday’s 47-17 win over Temple. Slowed by a prolonged recovery from a serious knee injury, Graham regained his explosiveness and made cuts sharply in the dominating victory. Graham finished with 180 all-purpose yards. Greene’s half brother ranked in the top five in FBS in rushing yards when he tore a ligament in his knee last October against Connecticut.

Season stats (eight games): 630 rushing yards on 134 carries (4.70 yards per carry), 22 receptions for 244 yards, 9 TDs.

Player ranking: Graham is ranked No. 169 overall and the No. 14-ranked RB in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings. Graham’s injury may have caused the relatively low projection.

Up next: The Panthers travel to South Bend to face a Notre Dame defense that’s ranked in the top 15 nationally in four statistical categories. The Irish are ranked ninth in run defense (95.25) yards per game.

Keep an eye on: RB George Winn, 5-11, 210, Cincinnati

Why he has the third spot: The Bearcats’ running game hasn’t skipped a beat after the departure of 2011 Big East Offensive Player of the Year Isaiah Pead to the NFL. Winn opened the season with a 58-yard burst up the middle against Pittsburgh. In last Friday's showdown at Louisville, Winn put Cincinnati in position for an upset but the Bearcat defense couldn’t hold up in a 34-31 loss in overtime. The physical senior back rushed for 125 yards on 26 carries. Winn excels at sticking his foot in the ground when making a cut and heading straight down the field. He’s also tough to bring down when running between the tackles.

Season stats (seven games): 746 rushing yards on 123 carries (6.06 yards per carry), 106.5 rushing yards per game, 4 TDs, five catches for 15 receiving yards.

Player ranking: Winn is ranked No. 601 overall and is the No. 47-ranked RB in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.

Up next: Winn faces a Syracuse defense that gave up 388 yards on the ground last week against South Florida. In the Orange's previous three games, though, Doug Marrone’s defense allowed just 75 rushing yards per game.

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