20 college football players who should be highly paid in 2017

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold No. 14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – APRIL 8: Defensive Back Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles warms-up before the annual Garnet and Gold Spring Football game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on April 8, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

9. Derwin James, S, Florida State

James has a few questions to answer regarding his health, but has a strong argument as the best player in college football when at full strength.

A five-star recruit our of Haines City Florida, James was universally considered the best safety and a top five overall prospect in the class of 2015. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound do-it-all safety was a prized recruit at an early age due to his freakish athleticism, and committed to the Seminoles as a high school freshman way back in 2012.

James proved that hype was warranted and then some in his debut season by accumulating 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups to rank as one of the most productive defenders in college football. Florida State asked James to do everything from match up with tight ends down the field to line up the box in run support to rush the passer on blitzes, and he passed each test with flying colors.

With tons of hype surrounding him to begin 2016, James got off to a great start with his first career interception in the opener against Ole Miss, but unfortunately suffered a torn meniscus the following week and missed the remainder of his sophomore year. While that can be a difficult injury to bounce back from, reports about James’ recovery have been generally positive and he played well in Florida State’s spring game.

Versatile secondary players like Jalen Ramsey and Jabrill Peppers have made the jump to the next level in recent years, but there’s no real fitting NFL comparison for James’ skill set. Even with the health uncertainty, James could be worth $15 million in 2017, comfortably eclipsing the mark of the NFL’s top-paid safety in Eric Berry.

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