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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 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) scores a on an interception return during the second half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) scores a on an interception return during the second half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Just looking at Malik McDowell, you can tell he gives offensive lineman nightmares. He’s 6-foot-6, 276 pounds and looks like a man amongst boys on the gridiron. He towers over the opposition and the scary thing is, he’s never really gotten the chance to fully shine on the Michigan State defensive front.

With Shilique Calhoun, Joel Heath and Lawrence Thomas departing from last year’s team, the former five-star defensive lineman could be headed for a video game-like season.

During his freshman season, he was in the shadow of guys like Calhoun and Marcus Rush and never really got a chance to crack the rotation regularly. He finished with 13 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while making the transition from end to defensive tackle.

As a sophomore, everyone got to see what his potential truly was. McDowell was the subject of many double-teams as no singular offensive lineman seemed to be able to hinder his rush. He finished the season with 41 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with a pick-six as well.

We have yet to see the very best of McDowell and he’s looked at as one of the top NFL draft prospects heading into the season and is arguably the top defensive lineman out there. He is gifted and has the potential to be great, but will he live up to the hype?

Next: 9. JuJu Smith-Schuster

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