College Football 2012: Ranking the Top 10 Players in Each BCS Conference

There is no question that the BCS conferences produce most of the big-name talent in college football.

Some of the BCS conferences have more talent than others, but all six have plenty to go around.

As always, there are multiple players who left early for the upcoming NFL draft and others who moved on to graduation. With players coming and going, it is sometimes hard to keep track of who are the best players in each conference.

Here are the top 10 players in each of the BCS conferences.

SEC No. 10: Christine Michael, Texas A&M

Christine Michael may find it a little tougher to run in the SEC than the Big 12, but he certainly has the talent to do so.

Last season, he rushed for 899 yards and eight touchdowns before his season was cut short by injury. Michael also averaged 6.0 yards per carry and has a chance to be one of the best running backs in the SEC next season.

SEC No. 9: Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee

Da'Rick Rogers stepped up big during his sophomore year in the absence of Justin Hunter.

Rogers was among the SEC leaders in all receiving categories and is the best receiver in the conference heading into 2012. His 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns were near the top of the league.

With Hunter back next year, the Vols could have one of the best duos in college football.

SEC No. 8: Henry Josey, Missouri

Like Christine Michael, Henry Josey is also joining the SEC and coming off a season-ending injury.

Last season, Josey still managed to rush for 1,168 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging a stunning 8.1 yards per carry. That 8.1 average will almost certainly not hold up next season, but Josey is certainly one of the top running backs in the conference.

SEC No. 7: Aaron Murray, Georgia

The return of Aaron Murray has given Georgia National Championship aspirations.

Last season, Murray passed for 3,149 yards and 35 touchdowns. He is one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the country and has made Georgia the odds-on favorite in the SEC East.

SEC No. 6: Barrett Jones, Alabama

Alabama is always filled with talent all over the field, and next season will be no different.

For the Crimson Tide, the best player on the field for them will be their big offensive lineman, Barrett Jones. Jones won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman in 2011 and is the best in the country at his position.

SEC No. 5: Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

With talented receivers and the return of Knile Davis, Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson has as many weapons as almost anybody in the country.

As a junior last season, Wilson passed for 3,638 yards and 24 touchdowns with only six interceptions. Along with Aaron Murray, he is the best quarterback in the SEC and one of the top 10 in the country.

Next season should be a good year for the Razorbacks.

SEC No. 4: Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Georgia not only has talent on offense but it also has talent on the defensive side of the ball.

Jarvis Jones is the best linebacker in the conference and one of the best in the nation. In 2011, he was a finalist for the Butkus Award and a first-team all-American. His 13.5 sacks were fifth in the country last year and first in the SEC.

SEC No. 3: Knile Davis, Arkansas

Arkansas running back Knile Davis could be a dark-horse candidate for the Heisman if he can return healthy in 2012.

Davis missed all of last season with a knee injury, and his health is a key to Arkansas' SEC title hopes.

In 2010, Davis rushed for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards a carry. When healthy, he is one of the top running backs in the nation.

SEC No. 2: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

Marcus Lattimore is the fourth running back on the list who missed action last season to due to a season-ending injury.

Lattimore was the best in the country at the time of his injury, and if he can pick up where he left off last year, he will be one of the top five running backs in the country this season.

In only seven games, Lattimore rushed for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns, so 1,500 yards is not out of the question for this guy in 2012.

SEC No. 1: Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

If defensive players won the Heisman more regularly, LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu would have taken the crown last season.

Mathieu was the best player in the country, and repeating that will be difficult in 2012. Even if he doesn't, though, he is still one of the most explosive players in the country.

The "Honey Badger" is the best cornerback in the country and as good as it gets on the defensive side of the ball.

Big 12 No. 10: Jake Knott, Iowa State

Iowa State linebacker Jake Knott was a tackling machine last season despite playing the entire year with a shoulder injury. He is having surgery to fix the shoulder and will be good to go by the fall.

Last season, Knott had 114 tackles and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection. Big things are expected this year for the Iowa State defense, and Knott will be at the center of it all.

Big 12 No. 9: A.J. Klein, Iowa State

Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year A.J. Klein will join Jake Knott to form one of the best linebacker groups in the country.

Klein had 117 tackles in 2011 and will likely improve on that next season. He is the key to the Iowa State defense and one of the best linebackers in the country for 2012.

Big 12 No. 8: Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

West Virginia wide receiver Stedman Bailey quietly had a great season in 2011 and will join Tavon Austin to form one of the best duos in the country in 2012.

Last season, Bailey had 1,279 yards and 12 touchdowns on 72 receptions as a sophomore. He had 80 yards or more in 10 games and will likely do better next season in the Big 12.

Big 12 No. 7: Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

Oklahoma wide receiver Kenny Stills will be counted on heavily next season after the departure of Ryan Broyles.

Stills finished last season with 849 yards and eight touchdowns on 61 receptions. Those numbers are likely to rise drastically next season.

Stills is a talented receiver who has a stud quarterback in Landry Jones throwing him the ball. This will only help his numbers. 

Big 12 No. 6: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas

Texas defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat was a beast last season along the defensive front. Jeffcoat finished the year with eight sacks and 21 tackles for loss.

Texas has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, and Jeffcoat will be at the heart of it all next season. If he has a big year, Texas could be a pleasant surprise in the Big 12.

Big 12 No. 5: Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State

In a league filled with talented quarterbacks and receivers, Joseph Randle is the best running back in the conference.

Last season, as a sophomore, Randle rushed for 1,216 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was the key to the balance of the Oklahoma State offense, and while most of the talent has moved on, Randle remains and is one of the best players in the Big 12.

Big 12 No. 4: Tavon Austin, West Virginia

In a league filled with talented receivers, Tavon Austin is the best of the bunch.

Last season, Austin had 101 receptions and 1,186 yards with eight touchdowns. He also had 182 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Austin was also a force on special teams, earning All-American honors.

Next year, Austin will be one of the most explosive players not only in the Big 12 but in the entire country. 

Big 12 No. 3: Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Some may say Landry Jones had a disappointing year in 2011, but if 4,463 yards and 29 touchdowns is disappointing, then what would be considered a good year?

Jones did throw 15 interceptions, and the injuries to running back Dominique Whaley and receiver Ryan Broyles hurt. Expect big things from Jones in 2012, though, because he will be breaking a lot of records.

Big 12 No. 2: Geno Smith, West Virginia

Geno Smith put up some mind-boggling stats in 2011, and you can expect much of the same in 2012.

Smith is one of the top five quarterbacks in the country and should be a Heisman candidate. Last season, he passed for 4,385 yards and 31 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.

Simply put, Smith is a stud and has a lot of talent around him.

Big 12 No. 1: Collin Klein, Kansas State

Collin Klein is the ultimate dual-threat quarterback and one of the best in the country.

In 2011, Klein passed for 1,918 yards and 13 touchdowns with six interceptions. Klein stands out with his legs, though; he rushed for 1,141 yards 27 touchdowns last season.

Those numbers are hard to find anywhere else in the country, and they make Klein the best player in the Big 12.

Pac-12 No. 10: De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon

As a freshman last year, De'Anthony Thomas was one of the most explosive players in the country. He is as fast as anybody in the Pac-12, and last season he rushed for 595 yards on only 55 carries with seven touchdowns. Thomas also caught 46 passes for 605 yards and nine touchdowns.

Those are some serious numbers that are likely to go up in 2012 with the departure of LaMichael James.

Pac-12 No. 9: Kenjon Barner, Oregon

As a backup to LaMichael James last season, Kenjon Barner had 939 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging more than six yards a carry. He also had 184 yards and three touchdowns receiving.

Those numbers will go up big time in 2012. Barner, along with Thomas, will form one of the best backfields in college football.

Pac-12 No. 8: John White, Utah

Many people may not know much about John White, but he put up some huge numbers last season.

The Utah running back finished 2011 with 1,519 yards and 15 touchdowns on 316 carries. He was a workhorse for the Utes and will be called upon heavily again in 2012.

Pac-12 No. 7: Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Stanford lost a lot of talent on offense, but there is still plenty to go around, including running back Stepfan Taylor.

Taylor finished the season with 1,330 yards and 10 touchdowns. He will be counted on even more in 2012 with the departure of Andrew Luck.

Pac-12 No. 6: Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Marquess Wilson may also be a relative unknown outside of the Pac-12, but those in the league know the talent he possesses.

As a sophomore last season, Wilson caught 82 passes for 1,388 yards and 12 touchdowns. That was a year after he went for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman.

Wilson is one of the best-kept secrets in the country and will have another big year in 2012.

Pac-12 No. 5: Marqise Lee, USC

Marqise Lee was as talented as any freshman in the country last season and will be even better in 2012.

Lee totaled 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns on 73 receptions last year and came on very strong at the end of the year. He is the perfect complement to the ultra-talented Robert Woods, and they give USC the best receiving duo in the country.

Pac-12 No. 4: Keith Price, Washington

Washington quarterback Keith Price had some big games last season, including a 438-yard, four-touchdown performance—along with three touchdowns rushing—in the Alamo Bowl loss to Baylor.

Price finished the season with 3,063 yards and 33 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. With his strong finish in 2011, look for Price to have an even bigger year in 2012.

Pac-12 No. 3: Keenan Allen, California

Sophomore Keenan Allen had a huge year for California in 2011 and is one of the best receivers in the country.

Last season, Allen caught 98 passes for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns. He was a model of consistency, with at least three catches in every game and six or more catches in all but two games.

Allen will be an All-American candidate in 2012.

Pac-12 No. 2: Robert Woods, USC

Robert Woods was a monster for USC last season and is arguably the best receiver in the country coming back for 2012.

Woods caught 111 passes for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011. He is as talented as any player in the country, and with Matt Barkley getting him the ball, expect a similar season from Woods in 2012.

Pac-12 No. 1: Matt Barkley, USC

Matt Barkley is not only the best player in the Pac-12 and the most talented quarterback in the country but he is also the front-runner to take home the Heisman Trophy in 2012.

Barkley surprised everyone by deciding to come back for his senior season and will lead the best offense in the country. He threw for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns with only seven interceptions in 2011—good for a completion percentage close to 70 percent.

USC and Barkley will be tough to beat in 2012.

Big Ten No. 10: Braxton Miller, Ohio State

Braxton Miller showed signs of being a Heisman candidate a few years down the road in 2011, and with Urban Meyer now running the show, Miller will have a breakout year.

As a true freshman last season, Miller finished with 1,159 yards passing. He had 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He also rushed for 715 yards and seven touchdowns.

Expect the passing stats to go up big time in 2012 with Miller as the undisputed starter from Day 1.

Big Ten No. 9: Fitzgerald Toussaint, Michigan

While Denard Robinson is the most talked-about player on the Michigan offense, perhaps its most underrated player is running back Fitzgerald Toussaint.

Last season, Toussaint finished with 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry. Toussaint came on strong at the end of the season, finishing with 120 or more yards in four of his last five regular-season games.

Expect much of the same in 2012.

Big Ten No. 8: Mike Taylor, Wisconsin

Mike Taylor is one of the best returning defensive players in the Big Ten. Last season, Taylor was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and a second-team by the coaches after notching 137 tackles.

Taylor had one of the best seasons in Wisconsin history in 2011. Expect much of the same for this defensive stud in 2012.

Big Ten No. 7: Gerald Hodges, Penn State

Penn State linebacker Gerald Hodge had a breakout year in 2011 and decided to return to Penn State for his senior season in 2012.

As a junior in 2011, Hodge led the team with 106 tackles, and he also had 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. These numbers will improve drastically in 2012 as he enters his second season as a starter.

Big Ten No. 6: James White, Wisconsin

If Heisman finalist Montee Ball would have left early, James White could have found himself at the top of this list.

But, as it stands, White will have to wait one more year to take his turn as the starter.

Last season, serving as the primary backup to Ball, White finished with 713 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards a carry. These numbers will be very similar in 2012.

Big Ten No. 5: Rex Burkhead, Nebraska

Rex Burkhead is a workhorse at running back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Last season, he finished the year with 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns on 284 carries. Burkhead also caught 21 passes for 177 yards and two more touchdowns.

Expect a heavy dose of Burkhead in the Nebraska offense next season.

Big Ten No. 4: John Simon, Ohio State

In a league that is always filled with talented defensive players, John Simon is the best of the bunch heading into 2012.

Simon led Ohio State in sacks with seven and tackles for loss with 16 last season. He can play both inside and outside on the defensive line.

Simon was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and a second-team from the media. He also earned third-team All-American honors at defensive tackle.

Big Ten No. 3: Silas Redd, Penn State

Along with Rex Burkhead, Silas Redd is one of the most underrated players in this conference.

Redd rushed for 1,241 yards last season and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards a carry. He was one of the few bright spots on a Nittany Lions offense that struggled mightily in 2011.

Expect even more from Redd during his junior season.

Big Ten No. 2: Denard Robinson, Michigan

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is one of the most explosive players in the entire country.

Last season, he passed for 2,173 yards and 20 touchdowns while throwing 15 interceptions. Robinson can also beat teams with his legs; he rushed for 1,176 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards a carry in 2011.

That explosiveness will be on full display next season for the Wolverines, as they are the favorites in the Big Ten.

Big Ten No. 1: Montee Ball, Wisconsin

Montee Ball had one of the best seasons for a running back in college football history in 2011, en route to becoming a Heisman finalist.

Ball rushed for 1,923 yards and 33 touchdowns on 307 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He also caught 24 passes for 306 yards and six more touchdowns, giving him 39 in all and tying Barry Sanders' single-season record.

Expect similar numbers for Ball in 2012.

ACC No. 10: David Amerson, North Carolina State

David Amerson is not only the best cover corner in the ACC but he's also one of the best in the country.

Last season, Amerson tied an ACC record with 13 interceptions. He also had 51 tackles and was a finalist for the Thorpe Award.

Amerson returns in 2012 as one of the best corners in the ACC and one of the best in the country.

ACC No. 9: Joe Vellano, Maryland

Joe Vellano is a force along the defensive line for Maryland, and last season he led the nation in tackles by a defensive lineman, averaging 7.8 per contest.

Vellano was a second-team All-American in 2011 and will return in 2012 to anchor a surprisingly strong Maryland defense. He is a big space-eater who is tough to stop along the defensive front.

ACC No. 8: Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

Virgina Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller is up there with David Amerson as the most talented in the conference.

Fuller had 64 tackles, including 14.5 for loss in 2011. He also had six pass breakups, 4.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

While he does not have the interceptions of Amerson, Fuller does a lot of other things for a Virginia Tech defense that led the team to an ACC Championship Game appearance and a Sugar Bowl berth.

ACC No. 7: Mike Glennon, North Carolina State

After a slow start last season, quarterback Mike Glennon made Wolfpack fans forget about Russell Wilson by the end of the season.

Glennon finished the season with 3,054 yards and 31 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions. During the final three games of the season, he threw 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions.

Expect a huge year from Glennon in 2012.

ACC No. 6: Brandon Jenkins, Florida State

Florida State defensive end Brandon Jenkins is a monster along the defensive line. He is returning for his senior season and will likely improve on the eight sacks he totaled last season, which ranked him second in the ACC.

Jenkins also had 12 tackles for loss last season, and with Quinton Coples now gone, he may be the premier defensive end in the conference.

ACC No. 5: Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

Logan Thomas had quite an impressive sophomore campaign for the Hokies last season, finishing with 19 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. He also threw for 3,013 yards and helped lead the Hokies to the Sugar Bowl.

Next season, Thomas' numbers are likely to go up in a big way. He now has a year under his belt, so big things are expected from Thomas and Virginia Tech.

ACC No. 4: Andre Ellington, Clemson

Ellington returns to help a Clemson offense that will be the best in the ACC next season.

Last year, Ellington rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns on 223 carries. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry and has big-play potential despite his small size.

If Clemson plans on winning the ACC next season, they will need another big year from Ellington.

ACC No. 3: Giovani Bernard, North Carolina

This tiny Tar Heels running back put up big numbers last season as a freshman.

Bernard rushed for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns while carrying the ball 239 times. He is also a threat out of the backfield catching the ball; last season, he had 45 catches for 362 yards and one more touchdown. 

Bernard is headed for a big year in 2012.

ACC No. 2: Sammy Watkins, Clemson

Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins may have been the best freshman in the country last season and could be one of the best overall receivers next season.

Watkins finished 2011 with 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with 82 receptions. He also ran the ball 32 times for 231 yards on the season.

The growth from a freshman to a sophomore is huge, and it will be no different for Watkins in 2012.

ACC No. 1: Tajh Boyd, Clemson

Tajh Boyd had one of the biggest seasons of any quarterback in the country in 2011 and could do even better in 2012.

Boyd passed for 3,828 yards and 33 touchdowns last season with only 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 218 yards and five touchdowns.

Boyd is the most explosive player in the ACC and one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the country for 2012. Expect big things from him and the Clemson offense.

Big East No. 10: B.J. Daniels, South Florida

South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels seems like he has been in Tampa for the better part of a decade.

2012 will be his senior season, and he is the best quarterback in the conference with Geno Smith and West Virginia moving to the Big 12.

Daniels is a dual-threat. He passed for 2,604 yards and 13 touchdowns with only seven interceptions last season. He also rushed for 601 yards and six touchdowns.

If Daniels can keep his interceptions down like he did last year, it will be a good year for South Florida.

Big East No. 9: Ryne Giddins, South Florida

Giddens stepped up nicely in his first season as a starter in 2011. He was a second-team All-Big East selection after finishing with 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss to go along with 44 tackles.

Giddens will be one of the best defensive players in the conference next season and will help anchor the South Florida defense.

Big East No. 8: Duron Harmon, Rutgers

Duron Harmon was another first-time starter and excelled in the secondary at the safety position. He had 49 tackles and five interceptions, which was second in the league and helped the Rutgers defense lead the league in interceptions and passes defensed.

Harmon was a first-team All-Big East selection in 2011—expect the same results in 2012.

Big East No. 7: Lyle McCombs, Connecticut

Lyle McCombs had a huge freshman season for the Connecticut Huskies and should improve on those numbers in 2012.

McCombs rushed for 1,151 yards and seven touchdowns on 275 carries. He also had 19 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown.

He was consistent all season in 2011, and expect McCombs to be a first-team All-Big East performer in 2012.

Big East No. 6: Hakeem Smith, Louisville

Hakeem Smith was one of the young, talented players on the Louisville defense in 2011.

Smith helped anchor a solid secondary from the safety position and finished the season with 84 tackles. He ranked second in the Big East with nine pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

The sophomore was also a first-team All-Big East selection.

Big East No. 5: Logan Ryan, Rutgers

Rutgers cornerback Logan Ryan was the best in the conference last season. He led the league with 13 pass breakups and also had three interceptions.

Ryan has quickly developed into the best cornerback in the Big East, and next season he could be one of the best in the country. The Rutgers defense will be dominant in 2012, and it will be anchored by a strong secondary.

Big East No. 4: Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh

When it comes to defensive linemen, none are better in the Big East than Aaron Donald.

With Kendall Reyes and Derek Wolfe now moved on, Donald is one of the best defensive linemen in the conference. He was second in the league with 11 sacks and second in the league with 16 tackles for loss in 2011.

Look out for this big man in 2012.

Big East No. 3: Trevardo Williams, Connecticut

Trevardo Williams was a sack master for Connecticut in 2011.

Williams finished the season with a Big East-leading 12.5 sacks and was second in the nation at 1.04 per game. He has tremendous speed off the edge and had the second-best season—as far as sacks go—in school history.

Next season may even be better.

Big East No. 2: Ray Graham, Pittsburgh

Ray Graham was on his way to an All-American season last year before a devastating knee injury prematurely ended his season.

Graham rushed for 958 yards and nine touchdowns in just more than seven games. His 5.8 yards per carry average had him well on his way to a 1,500-yard season and more than 15 touchdowns.

Graham is a player to look out for next season, as he could be one of the best running backs in the nation.

Big East No. 1: Khaseem Greene, Rutgers

Khaseem Greene was the Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 and is the most talented player in the conference coming back. Greene was even the first-ever Rutgers player to win the award.

With 24 more tackles than the next closest player, out of the 140 Greene had, 74 of them were solo. He did break his leg in the bowl game, but he should be good to go when the season begins.