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Ranking the 50 best college football players for 2016

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks to throw a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks to throw a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Transferring in from East Mississippi Community College after a rough start to his collegiate career with Clemson, Chad Kelly didn’t need long to prove himself worthy of the No. 1 quarterback spot for Ole Miss in 2015. He won the job and quickly became one of college football’s premier passers.

After attempting just 17 passes in 2013 with the Tigers, he took a year off to better himself on and off the field and took the SEC by storm in 2015 with 4,042 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He completed 65 percent of his passes and looked like one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

Not only did he pass the ball effectively, but he ran for 500 yards and 10 touchdowns. Possibly the most impressive feat from his junior campaign wasn’t his total yardage or touchdowns, but the fact that he led the Rebels on the road against Alabama and came out with a huge victory while passing for over 340 yards and three touchdowns.

Ole Miss finished the 2015 season with a 10-3 record and a blowout win in the Sugar Bowl against a pretty solid Oklahoma State team.

Although Laquon Treadwell is gone, Kelly will have Quincy Adeboyejo, Damor’ea Stringfellow and tight end Evan Engram returning. They combined for 112 receptions for 1,571 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The senior quarterback will be a serious Heisman contender in 2016.

Next: 38. Des Lawrence

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