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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 3, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Roderick Johnson (77) lines up during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Roderick Johnson (77) lines up during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

When you have one of the top running backs in the country who rushed for about 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore and averaged 6.0 yards per carry, you can probably assume there’s a solid offensive line behind those numbers.

Roderick Johnson is heading into his junior season as one of the most dominant offensive tackles in the country. Playing left tackle is arguably the toughest and most important position in the trenches, and he’s done a tremendous job there for the better part of two seasons in Tallahassee.

Just how impressive is he? As a true freshman in 2014, he started the final five games at left tackle, helped Dalvin Cook record three 100-yard rushing games and Jameis Winston had three 300-yard passing games during his starts. Johnson was named a Freshman All-American by basically every major service and publication and earned the outright starting job in 2015.

Starting his sophomore year as the full-time left tackle, Johnson knew he had the talent to be one of the best linemen in the country. He proved it by winning the ACC’s best blocker award and was an All-ACC first-teamer. He was a crucial piece of the offensive line and he helped Cook have a huge year in the backfield.

The 6-foot-7, 311-pound tackle will likely be a top draft prospect and could pave the way for a Heisman-winning running back.

Next: 27. Marlon Humphrey

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