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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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Sep 26, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Kevin Wilson talks with offensive lineman Dan Feeney (67) during the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Kevin Wilson talks with offensive lineman Dan Feeney (67) during the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

No, linemen aren’t exactly the sexy choice in the list of top 50 players in college football, but Dan Feeney has the production and skill set to make the list.

The Hoosiers’ senior guard was the sixth first-team All-American selection in school history along with teammate Jason Spriggs who has since gone on to the NFL. Feeney also had a chance to go pro after his junior season, projecting as a potential third-to-fifth rounder, but ultimately deciding it was in his best interest to return for one final year.

While he already has the talent to succeed at the next level, he believes he can improve his stock with a relentless offseason filled with conditioning and weight room work, adding some muscle to better suit himself with an NFL offensive line.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the 6-foot-4, 310-pound guard from Orland Park, Ill., is that he’s only allowed one sack in his three years as part of the Hoosiers’ program. That’s incredible when you think about just how successful the offense has been and how many drop-backs quarterbacks like Nate Sudfeld took — that’s 2,719 career snaps with one sack.

Protecting a new quarterback in 2016 will be his main focus along with being a much more effective run blocker. Feeney may just be the top offensive linemen in the Big Ten.

Next: 49. Gabe Marks

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