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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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Nov 8, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) is taken down by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Armani Watts (23) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) is taken down by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Armani Watts (23) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Although recording 126 total tackles, including 83 solos, is an impressive stat for any defender, you never really want to see your team’s safety recording that many stops. Texas A&M’s Armani Watts had one heck of a 2015 season, recording a ridiculous amount of takedowns, but that was proof that the Aggies’ defense in front of him was lackluster, at best.

With plenty of experience returning to the front-seven, his tackle numbers should decrease significantly. Along with all of those tackles as a sophomore, Watts also had an interception, two passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Coming back as one of the top defensive backs in the SEC, Watts will have to face off against some of the premier quarterbacks and receivers in college football on teams such as Tennessee, LSU, and Alabama, among others. It’s not going to be an easy road to earning All-SEC honors at safety like he is projected to.

If it were up to him, Watts would probably want another season like is freshman year in which he finished with 59 tackles, nine pass breakups, and three picks. That was more of what a defensive back’s stats should look like and he was great against the pass.

While his tackle numbers have been a bit elevated, not all of them have been the result of poor defense in front of him as he is known for coming up against the run and making an aggressive play — sometimes in the backfield. Watts has eight tackles for loss in his career.

Next: 34. Malik Jefferson

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