Ranking the Sun Belt's Top 25 Players for 2011

By Scott Henry (@4QuartersRadio) and Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven)

1. Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky (SR)
2010 Stats: 1,649 yards, 15 TDs, 29 rec., 230 yds.
Rainey finished third in the nation in rushing, coming in at more than 137 yards per game. He had seven two-TD games, one of them a 45-carry, 256-yard explosion in a narrow loss to Middle Tennessee State. His 340 carries led the nation, but rather than wear down, Rainey topped 150 yards in each of the season's last four games. Rainey is the only Sun Belt player on the Maxwell Award's preseason watch list, which may be the one factor that puts him ahead of Lance Dunbar.

2. Lance Dunbar, RB, North Texas (SR)
2010 Stats: 1,553 yards, 13 TDs, 28 rec., 332 yds., 3 TDs
Dunbar doesn’t get much credit on the national level, but he’s posted some impressive numbers the last two years in Denton. He has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and finished just behind Western Kentucky’s Bobby Rainey for the conference rushing title last year. Dunbar performed well against BCS competition last season, rushing for 117 yards against Clemson and gashing Kansas State’s for 270 yards and three scores. Dunbar may not rank as our No. 1 player for 2011 – but he’s not far behind Rainey.
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4. Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy (JR)
2010 Stats: 76 tackles, 20.5 TFL, 13.5 sacks, 1 FF
After redshirting in 2009, Massaquoi emerged as one of the Sun Belt’s top players last season. He wrecked havoc in opposing backfields all year, leading the conference in sacks and tackles for a loss. The junior is an Athlon Sports preseason first-team All-Sun Belt selection and could contend for All-American honors with another big season. He's also on the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Award, an amazing accomplishment for any defensive player, let alone one from the Belt. Barring injury, Massaquoi should be the Sun Belt’s top defensive player.
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FIU placed 5 guys, TROY with 4...and so on

I'm a big fan of Dunbar and I think he should be the #1 RB, at this point...

Middle Tennessee is the only school without a single player listed, suits me just fine. Our team will surprise anyone who is counting us out this year.

ASU had five as well. I cannot believe WR Dwayne Frampton is not on there.

(08-06-2011 12:41 PM)westcoastwolf Wrote:  ASU had five as well. I cannot believe WR Dwayne Frampton is not on there.

My apologies to the Red Wolves' Nation

(08-06-2011 05:06 PM)trojanbrutha Wrote:  

(08-06-2011 12:41 PM)westcoastwolf Wrote:  ASU had five as well. I cannot believe WR Dwayne Frampton is not on there.

My apologies to the Red Wolves' Nation

No apologies necessary.

Man, this is shaping up to be a great year of Sun Belt football.

HOWL YEAH!