Lemon Ranked No. 7 In Top 25 Countdown

After being the lone receiver in the BIG EAST to reach 1,000 yards this season, senior wide receiver Alec Lemon was named No. 7 in ESPN's BIG EAST Top 25 countdown of the 2012 season. Lemon was the only offensive player unanimously named to the 2012 All-BIG EAST First Team this season and was honored as a member of the ESPN.com All-BIG EAST Team as well as an ECAC Division I Football Sub-Division All-Star. Lemon is not the only Orange already named in the countdown. Safety Shamarko Thomas checked in at No. 17 while running back Jerome Smith was ranked at No. 19.

Lemon recorded five 100-yard games in 2012 while setting a Syracuse single-season record with 72 receptions. He ended his senior season with 72 receptions for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns. The wide receiver ranks first in SU's career receptions list with 201 and holds the first two spots on SU's most receptions in a season with 72 (2012) and 68 (2011). He also ranks second on the Orange's most receiving yards career list with 2,596.

Thomas' final season in Orange was a memorable one. Thomas was named All-BIG EAST First Team, a member of the ESPN.com All-BIG EAST Team and an ECAC Division I Football Sub-Division All-Star for the 2012 season. The strong safety led the SU defense with 88 tackles, forced three fumbles and had two interceptions. For his career, Thomas is sixth among Orange defensive backs with 263 total tackles.

Smith had a standout junior season for SU, leading the Orange ground game with 227 attempts for 1,171 yards. He average 90.1 yards per game and scored three touchdowns in the 2012 season. Smith set his career rushing yard against Connecticut this season with 19 carriers for 133 yards. Smith became one of four Orange backs to ever record four consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

Stay tuned to find out where All-BIG EAST tackle Justin Pugh and record-setting quarterback Ryan Nassib will place in the final six spots of the countdown. Follow the countdown here.

Syracuse fans are invited to reserve football season tickets for the inaugural season in the ACC today by placing a $25 deposit to get first shot at the best available locations. Deposits can be made online (click here) , by phone (888-DOME-TIX), or in-person at the Carrier Dome Box Office.

Syracuse University Athletics

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