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Pac-12 top 25 for 2013: No. 24

Our countdown of the Pac-12's top 25 players in 2013 continues.

A lot of good players, as it happens every year, won't make the preseason list. It is in their hands to make the postseason list.

You can review our 2012 postseason top 25 here.

24. Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State

2012 numbers: He rushed for 684 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 41 passes for 425 yards and eight scores.

2012 postseason ranking: Unranked.

Making the case for Grice: Grice was basically a push with Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas as the Pac-12's best dual-threat back/receiver last year. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry rushing and, in 103 total carries, lost just five total yards. He wasn't your typical running back catching passes either, see 10.4 yards per catch. The 6-foot, 204-pound senior finished particularly strong, rushing for 315 yards -- 9.84 yards per carry -- and five touchdowns in the Sun Devils' final two games. It will be interesting to see how the ball is split between Grice and D.J. Foster, who is also a strong dual-threat. They are probably the best backfield tandem in the conference. The good money is on Grice rushing for 1,000 yards and, perhaps, hitting 500 yards receiving.

25. Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford