Top 5 Players of 2010: Number 1

Well, it's here. Number 1 on our countdown of most important players of the 2010 USF Bulls football team. But before we get into who we think was the most important player on the team, let's recap on the other four guys on the list.

Matt's top 5

5. C Sampson Genus

4. RB Moise Plancher

3. LB DeDe Lattimore

2. WR Dontavia Bogan

Mike's top 5

Honorable Mention: Patrick Hampton, Dontavia Bogan

5. RB Demetris Murray

4. C Sampson Genus

3. CB Mistral Raymond

2. KR Lindsey Lamar

Now that you're good and anxious, see who we thought were the most important players on the 2010 USF football team after the jump.

Matt's #1: CB Mistral Raymond

Coming in at number one on my top five list is defensive back Mistral Raymond. “Skinny” may be one of the greatest stories in USF history. Rising from walk-on, to team captain, to NFL draft pick, Raymond left a great legacy both on and off the field. He is the number one player in my eyes and the Bulls will miss him this season and in years to come. The story of Mistral Raymond is well known. Rising from a walk-on role, all the way to starter, then to team captain, then to 2nd All Big East in 2010 and finally to NFL Draft selection (170th overall to the Minnesota Vikings), Raymond has gone through great adversity and has come out ahead each time. In 2010, Raymond had 56 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss. He also had a key interception in the win over Cincinnati. He was named 2nd All Big East as well by ESPN.

The numbers, while impressive, do not show the impact of Raymond. Raymond was the voice and heart of the defense. Each time he stepped onto the field, the fans and players were amped and followed in his step. Raymond made huge plays for the defense all season and now as he takes his talent to the NFL, the USF family will miss him and will always remember Raymond and what he did for USF.

Mike's #1: DT Terrell McClain

I think everybody here realizes that without the defense, this football team would have gone 4-8 last year. I've done my share of taking a few shots at the offense in this countdown for not having a consistent season. It's only appropriate, then, that the most important players on this countdown for both of us played on the defensive side of the ball.

Terrell McClain entered the season as the replacement to Jason Pierre-Paul and George Selvie. That in itself was what I believe made him the most important player on the team. After two of the best players in school history departed, they left some huge shoes to fill, and McClain did not disappoint. In fact, he finished the season as the highest draft pick of the 2011 USF draft class. While the defensive line was arguably one of the most important collective units on this year's team, McClain was there to provide the anchor all season long. For the same reason Mistral Raymond's stats weren't as swollen as last year's, other teams' fear in McClain hindered them from running the ball to his side, resulting in just 24 total tackles. He tied a career high with three sacks, and set a new high with five quarterback hits.

His successful career closed out with a very strong showing at USF pro day, where he got looks from teams all over the NFL. He ultimately got drafted with the first pick in the third round by the Carolina Panthers, where he will have an opportunity to protect last year's Heisman winner and first overall pick, Cam Newton.

So, there are the top 5 players of 2010. There were so many players that made impacts this season, but these are the 5 that we think were most integral to this football team. We want to know what you think of our rankings, so let us know who your top 5 would have included in the comments.