Big East Best: #5 Zach Collaros

[JasonS]

Continuing the countdown of the top 25 players in the Big East for 2010, taking into account past performance and potential for this coming season ...

No. 5: Zach Collaros, QB, Cincinnati, Jr.

2009 numbers: Completed 93 of 124 passes for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns with two interceptions. Ran 27 times for 344 yards and four touchdowns.

Postseason ranking: Not ranked

Making the case for Collaros: We have reached the top five now, and this is our third straight quarterback. Collaros gets the nod here despite only four career starts. But, wow, was he impressive in those starts.

As you know, he stepped in for an injured Tony Pike in the middle of last year, completing 78 percent of his passes and accounting for 10 touchdowns in those games. He set the Big East record for total yardage against UConn. And of course he stepped in for Pike in the second half at South Florida and broke that game open with a 75-yard touchdown run.

It would be crazy to think Collaros can post those kinds of numbers over a full season. But look at what new coach Butch Jones did for NCAA record-breaking quarterback Dan LeFevour at Central Michigan. His is a very quarterback-friendly offense, and Collaros is surrounded by top-flight skill players like receivers Armon Binns, D.J. Woods and Vidal Hazelton, running back Isaiah Pead and tight end Ben Guidugli.

Collaros put up amazing statistics in his brief starting stint last year. That may have just been the beginning.

Previously:

No. 25: Zach Hurd, OG, Connecticut
No. 24: Derrell Smith, LB, Syracuse
No. 23: Tino Sunseri, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 22: Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse
No. 21: Steve Beauharnais, LB, Rutgers
No. 20: Vidal Hazelton, WR, Cincinnati
No. 19: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
No. 18: Scott Lutrus, LB, Connecticut
No. 17: Chris Neild, DT, West Virginia
No. 16: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
No. 15: J.T. Thomas, LB, West Virginia
No. 14: Jason Pinkston, OT, Pittsburgh
No. 13: Jock Sanders, WR, West Virginia
No. 12: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
No. 11: Lawrence Wilson, LB, Connecticut
No. 10: Armon Binns, WR, Cincinnati
No. 9: Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut
No. 8: Robert Sands, S, West Virginia
No. 7: Tom Savage, QB, Rutgers
No. 6: B.J. Daniels, QB, South Florida

 

[Thegreatone]

There is not 4 better players in this conference.

No way is Jonathon Baldwin a receiver should be ranked higher.

 

[swg]

Baldwin is pretty good. At this point of the list, it's hard to say one guy is over the one in front or back.

I'd rather have Collaros though.

 

[Thegreatone]

It is cool that they have Zach as the top QB. I just think position matters in these polls.

 

[Kingsley Court]

There is not 4 better players in this conference.

It's still early to say that IMO. He got some playing time last year but I don't know if it was enough to say he was one of the top 3 players in the conference just yet.

 

[Thegreatone]

I dont think it is that early. If we are talking about Big East then you have to look at Zach as a Top 3 player.

All of his games last year were against Big East competition. He tourched everyone. So he beat more than half of the Big East last year as a starter and put up record breaking numbers.

I can not have him behind Baldwin because a star Qb is greater than a star WR who doesnt have anyone who can throw him the ball.

 

[JasonS]

And don't forget this list is also based on potential. I can't imagine there are 4 players better and with more potential than ZC.

 

[Little Danny]

This Top 25 poll is nothing more than a pat on the back to the Pitt and WVU fans who primarily read and comment on Bennett's blog. Bennett knows if he did not have Pitt and WVU players at the top, he would never hear the end of it.

It is no secret that Pitt has recruited what on paper looks to be the best talent every year. Everyone will have Pitt ranked first again and we will have to see talking head after talking head proclaim Pitt as the cream of the crop of the Big East. We'll see how that translates this season, but if history is any indication Wanny will blow at least a couple games himself this season (one being a big game and one against a team Pitt has no business losing to, ala Bowling Green, NC State, Oregon State, etc.).

If Zach's numbers do project over a whole season he will have to get serious consideration for the Davey O'Brien award.

 

[psax889906]

You know what I got to thinking... IF he is cleared... with all of our offensive skill players on this list one who could end up being right at the top and isn't even there: Kenbrell Thompkins... man there are a lot of weapons... as long as the line is competent... watch out.

 

[Racinejake]

You know what I got to thinking... IF he is cleared... with all of our offensive skill players on this list one who could end up being right at the top and isn't even there: Kenbrell Thompkins... man there are a lot of weapons... as long as the line is competent... watch out.

Could be right. Part of me will feel pretty ok if Thompkins isn't cleared for this year. We know that we're loaded with WRs kind of like last year when Hazelton wasn't cleared. We'll lose Hazelton, Binns, and Barnett (and Howard if he doesn't RS) but we'd have a potentially elite WR corps yet again for 2011 with Thompkins, Woods, and Lewis.

 

[psax889906]

Could be right. Part of me will feel pretty ok if Thompkins isn't cleared for this year. We know that we're loaded with WRs kind of like last year when Hazelton wasn't cleared. We'll lose Hazelton, Binns, and Barnett (and Howard if he doesn't RS) but we'd have a potentially elite WR corps yet again for 2011 with Thompkins, Woods, and Lewis.

Agreed... just hope that wouldn't discourage Thompkins if he were to be held back a year...

 

[swg]

Be interesting to see how Collaros improves given the fact that he'll have the majority of snaps in practice.

The passing/running dimension that he offers is simply sick (in a good way).

 

[Red_N_Black_Attack]

Is it possible Ben gets a nod as one of the top four?

 

[swg]

Should be. He should be in the top four of TE's this year, nationwide.

 

[Racinejake]

Is it possible Ben gets a nod as one of the top four?

No chance at this point. The top four are locked for Dion Lewis, Noel Devine, Greg Romeus, and Jonathan Baldwin. Ben definitely should've landed somewhere in the top 25. Certainly ahead of Tino Sunseri and his 17 career attempts all occurring during mop up duty.

 

[swg]

Hard to argue with any of the four, however it's a HUGE mistake to leave him out of the top 10. He's going to have a big year. Rudolph at ND is one of the few TE better than he.