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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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Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jake Hubenak (7) is sacked by Louisville Cardinals linebacker Devonte Fields (92) during the first half in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jake Hubenak (7) is sacked by Louisville Cardinals linebacker Devonte Fields (92) during the first half in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

You might remember Devonte Fields as one of the best defenders in the Big 12 a few years back when he played for Gary Patterson and the TCU Horned Frogs. He has since made his way to Louisville as one of the most impressive defenders in the country.

Offenses simply don’t know how to defend the defensive end/linebacker who used to be an elite edge rusher for TCU. He put up ridiculous numbers as a freshman for the Horned Frogs, racking up 53 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2012, but played just two games the following year.

Transferring to Louisville did him some good as he picked up right where he left off in 2015 after missing the 2014 season due to transfer rules. He finished the season as a linebacker, picking up 63 total tackles, 22 for loss and 10.5 sacks. He posted career-highs in every category and looked like one of the country’s best blitzing backers.

Fields got off to a slow start to his Cardinals career, failing to record a sack through his first six games, but he caught fire in the second half of the season, recording 39 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in his final seven games. Those numbers really vaulted him into the conversation for the top defender in the ACC.

Another year of experience may just turn him into college football’s top blitzer and there may not be a more feared linebacker in the ACC this season.

Next: 36. Carl Lawson

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