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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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Oct 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback Des Lawrence (2) breaks up a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Tar Heels won 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback Des Lawrence (2) breaks up a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Tar Heels won 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

North Carolina was one controversial offsides call away from swiping the ACC title away from Clemson, but sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce in the right direction. The Tar Heels will be losing some talent from that finished 11-3 after a red-hot 11-1 start.

However, bringing back seven starters from both sides of the ball could mean another solid season is ahead.

One major strength of the 2015 Tar Heels that could also be such in 2016 is the secondary. North Carolina’s defensive backfield ranked 18th in the country in yards allowed per game through the air which was assisted on by junior cornerback Des Lawrence.

Lawrence finished the 2015 campaign with 59 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions. He looked like one of the nation’s best cornerbacks and that came as no surprise seeing as he was just as solid as a sophomore in 2014.

Earning All-ACC second-team honors, Lawrence became a staple of the secondary for the Tar Heels and his aggressive play made him one of the top overall defenders in the conference. He could be a first-team all-conference performer before the season is over, and I’d be shocked if he wasn’t.

Who wouldn’t want a 6-foot-1 cornerback with speed and slobber-knocking ability on their side?

Next: 37. Devonte Fields

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