College Football: Top 50 players for 2017

The nation’s leader in interceptions last year, Tarvarus McFadden was a game changing force for the Florida State Seminoles. A Florida native, McFadden has met and exceed all the expectations  placed upon him at Florida State. His length (6-foot-2) and incredible vision with the ball in the air have made him one of the best defensive weapons in the country, leading the nation in interceptions with eight.

After playing sparingly as a freshman, he took over the starting role in 2016 and had one of the most impressive seasons of any cornerback in Seminole history. The last FSU player to lead the nation in interceptions was Terrell Buckley in 1991.

Six of his eight interceptions came away from Doak Campbell Stadium. He had a pick in six of the Noles 10 wins as well. No matter how you slice it, McFadden has a nose for the football. He’ll be ready to start the 2017 season against the Alabama Crimson Tide and Jalen Hurts.

The interception total is hard to replicate from year to year. It’s reasonable to expect that to decline in 2017, but don’t mistake a lower pick total for a lesser impact on the field. With Derwin James behind him, there won’t be a safe place to throw the football against the Noles in 2017.