No. 8 on our countdown had some of the biggest shoes to fill in 2012. He proved to be more than capable.
No. 8, George Winn, RB, Cincinnati
Making the case: Questions surrounded Cincinnati's backfield entering 2012, as the Bearcats were charged with replacing reigning Big East offensive player of the year Isaiah Pead. Winn answered those questions and then some, bettering Pead's 2011 campaign (1,259 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns) by finishing 2012 atop the conference list in rushing yards (1,334) and rushing touchdowns (13). Winn earned first-team All-Big East honors from ESPN.com and second-team recognition from the conference. Winn had six 100-yard rushing games, and he helped power a Bearcats offense that finished atop the Big East in scoring offense and rushing offense.
Preseason ranking: NR
The countdown
No. 9 Montel Harris, RB, Temple
No. 10 Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
No. 11 Yawin Smallwood, LB, UConn
No. 12 Greg Blair, LB, Cincinnati
No. 13 Ray Graham/Jawan Jamison, RBs, Pitt/Rutgers
No. 14 Mario Benavides, C, Louisville
No. 15 Adrian Bushell, CB, Louisville
No. 16 Sio Moore, LB, UConn
No. 17 Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse
No. 18 Scott Vallone, DT, Rutgers
No. 19 Jerome Smith, RB, Syracuse
No. 20 Devin Street, WR, Pitt
No. 21 DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
No. 22 Matt Brown, RB, Temple
No. 23 Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
No. 24 Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple
No. 25 Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt