Athlon Ranks The Big East's Best Rushers: Pitt's Ray Graham #1

File this in the Captain Obvious category, but Ray Graham topped Athlon's list of top running backs in the Big East. That's no surprise as Graham was the best back in the conference last year until his injury. He might not only be the best running back in the Big East, but there's a good chance he's the best player.

Seeing him atop the list is no shock, but what is a slight surprise is also Pitt related.

Athlon slotted the top ten backs and while it wasn't a surprise that Graham was first, I did find it a bit interesting that sophomore Isaac Bennett came in at No. 10.

There are only eight teams in the Big East, so putting Bennett in the top ten with Graham isn't unheard of. But Bennett is there only because of the spring he had and the fact that he made the cut shows you just how thin the conference is projected to be at running back.

Also, for what it's worth, Rushel Shell came in as an honorable mention.

As I said, the Big East is pretty thin at running back this year, but it's still surprising that a true sophomore with just over 200 yards rushing last year and projected to possibly ride the bench most of the season is listed as the tenth best back in the conference.

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