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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10 October 2015: Oklahoma Sooners Orlando Brown (78) during the Oklahoma Sooners versus the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

16. Orlando Brown, OL, Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s preposterous offensive numbers were fueled by a wealth of talent at the skill positions, but Brown’s ability in the trenches shouldn’t be overlooked.

Brown committed to Oklahoma out of Peachtree Ridge High School as a three-star recruit ranked just inside the top 40 offensive tackle prospects in the class of 2014. After taking a redshirt season, Brown was immediately made the starting left tackle and played well enough to earn freshman All-American honors from a number of publications.

An even better 2016 campaign followed, as Brown again started all 13 games at left tackle en route to being named a Second Team All-American while winning the Big 12 Lineman of the Year Award. In 659 snaps played last season, Brown allowed all of one sack,making him the key piece up front in protecting Heisman finalist quarterback Baker Mayfield.

At 6-foot-8, 345 pounds, Brown has the frame and strength to make life difficult for pass rushers at any level, and has proven to be effective in a zone-blocking run scheme. With stars like Dede Westbrook and Joe Mixon off to the NFL, Brown will need a similar All-American effort if the Sooners are again going to be among the best offenses in the country.

Brown has first-round talent and a strong argument as one of the top three linemen in college football, giving him a high potential value. As many are projecting Brown to move to right tackle at the next level, Lane Johnson’s average salary of around $11.5 million could be a fair price for him in 2017.

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