Top 25 Defensive Backs
Florida State's season was filled with "What If" questions all season, and most of the answers involved the loss of a star. Derwin James came to the Seminoles as a highly touted recruit, and made an impact right away. Flying all over the field, James was a threat from anywhere on defense despite being a freshman. His sophomore offseason provided plenty of hype and high expectations for him and his team. The words All American and even Heisman were being thrown around. That all came to a halt just two games into the 2016 season, and the impact of his injury was felt immediately. A 63-20 embarrassment at the hands of Louisville and eventual Heisman winner Lamar Jackson, was an awakening experience for the 'Noles. Now, James is back, and his team returns plenty of talent around him defensively as well as on offense. Heisman talk may be a little out of reach, but there is no doubt that James can be an All American by the end of the year. The question is what position he will get that honor at, and could he do so at two positions? Right now, Alabama may be on his mind.
PREVIOUSLY: QUARTERBACK, RUNNING BACK, WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END, OFFENSIVE LINE, DEFENSIVE LINE, LINEBACKERS
TOP 12 CORNERBACKS
1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama, Jr
6'1", 203 lbs; 2016 stats: 66 tackles, 6 INT, 7 PD
Dynamic player who may be used at multiple positions this year.
2. Tavarus McFadden, Florida State, Jr
6'2", 198 lbs; 2016 stats: 19 tackles, 8 INT, 6 PD
Lockdown corner who can wipe out half of the field. Don't throw his way.
3. Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma, Sr
6'0", 192 lbs; 2016 stats: 49 tackles, 17 PD
DC Mik Stoops' secondary is in good hands even if they need to fill a couple positions.
4. Jaire Alexander, Louisville, Jr
5'11", 188 lbs; 2016 stats: 39 tackles, 5 INT, 9 PD
One of the leaders for the Cardinals who also doubles as a returner.
5. Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois, Sr
5'8", 180 lbs; 2016 stats: 40 tackles, 3 INT, 11 PD
Had a down year in 2016, but looking to get back to 2015 form (9 picks, and 15 passes defended).
6. DJ Reed, Kansas State, Jr
5'9", 188 lbs; 2016 stats: 78 tackles, 3 INT, 16 PD
Undersized corner plays big. Yet another Wildcat talent who was under-recruited and turned into a star.
7. Iman Marshall, USC, Jr
6'1", 200 lbs; 2016 stats: 52 tackles, 3 INT, 5 PD
The loss of Adoree Jackson hurts, b.5ut the Trojans should feel comfortable with Marshall returning to the secondary.
8. Quenton Meeks, Stanford, Jr
6'2", 195 lbs; 2016 stats: 19 tackles, 2 INT, 3 PD
Will be a key piece in what will be one of the best secondaries in the country.
9. Brandon Facyson, Virinia Tech, Sr
6'2", 197 lbs; 2016 stats: 48 tackles, 11 PD
Hasn't had a pick since his freshman year, but don't expect that trend to continue. Hokies defense is back to being great.
10. Rashard Fant, Indiana, Sr
5'10", 174 lbs; 2016 stats: 34 tackles, 3 INT, 17 PD
Along with 'backer Tegray Scales, the Hoosiers have some key pieces to improve their defensive image.
11. Greg Stroman, Virinia Tech, Sr
6'0", 180 lbs; 2016 stats: 14 tackles, 3 int, 10 PD
Doubles as a returner, and ,along with Facyson (9), makes the Hokies secondary one to avoid.
12. Avonte Maddox, Pittsburgh, Sr
5'9", 175 lbs; 2016 stats: 49 tackles, 3 INT, 8 PD
Has returned a pick for a touchdown the last two years, and make a big impact if he can play every game.
TOP 13 SAFETIES
1. Derwin James, Florida State, Jr
6'3", 213 lbs; 2015 stats: 91 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4.5 SCK, 4 PD
Coming off ACL injury in 2016, James will be used at almost every position defensively.
2. Quin Blanding, Virginia, Sr
6'2", 205 lbs; 2016 stats: 118 tackles, 2 INT, 5 PD
Is this the year the Cavaliers breakthrough? Probably not, but Blanding is a bright spot.
3. Marcus Allen, Penn State, Sr
6'2", 205 lbs; 2016 stats: 110 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 3 PD
Plays more near the line of scrimmage, but is a valuable asset in the stopping the run.
4. Chase Hansen, Utah, Jr
6'3", 216 lbs; 2016 stats: 90 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 INT, 9 PD
A big reason why Utah's defense will, yet again, be highly underrated heading into the season.
5. Andrew Wingard, Wyoming, Jr
6'0", 207 lbs; 2016 stats: 131 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 INT, 2 PD
253 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss in his two years on campus. Big reason why the Cowboys broke through last season.
6. Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern, Sr
6'0", 205 lbs; 2016 stats: 108 tackles, 2 INT, 7 PD
No surprise. Had a defensive Wildcat not made any of these lists, then it would be concerning.
7. Ronnie Harrison, Alabama, Jr
6'3", 216 lbs; 2016 stats: 83 tackles, 2 INT, 7 PD
Fearless defender who likes to stick his nose in with the front seven.
8. Justin Reid, Stanford, Jr
6'1", 195 lbs; 2016 stats: 55 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 7 PD
Brother of LSU great Eric Reid has the talent to be just as good as big bro was.
9. Armani Watts, Texas A&M, Sr
5'11", 200 lbs; 2016 stats: 56 tackles, 2 INT, 3 PD
Senior will have to be a leader with the loss of star Myles Garrett up front.
10. Taylor Rapp, Washington, So
6'0", 202 lbs; 2016 stats: 51 tackles, 4 INT, 2 PD
Only returning starter in the secondary will suddenly need to be a leader after just one year of experience.
11. Jordan Whitehead, Pittsburgh, Jr
5'11", 190 lbs; 2016 stats: 65 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PD
Looking to get back to freshman year numbers to give Maddox (#12 CB) some help.
12. D'Cota Dixon, Wisconsin, Sr
5'10", 197 lbs; 2016 stats: 60 tackles, 4 INT, 4 PD
A playmaker on the backside of the Badgers defense. Just ask LSU.
13. Sean Chandler, Temple, Sr
6'0", 190 lbs; 2016 stats: 51 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 INT
Entering his fourth year as a starter, but needs to get back to 2015 form (65 tackles, 4 INT, 10 PD).
