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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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown against the Florida Gators in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

13. Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama

Fitzpatrick finds success no matter where he’s lined up in the Alabama secondary, making him one of the most irreplaceable defenders in the nation.

A consensus five-star recruit, Fitzpatrick never strongly considered anyone besides Alabama and arrived in Tuscaloosa as one of the best cornerback prospects in a stacked class of 2015. The Crimson Tide put Fitzpatrick in the lineup right away, and he contributed 45 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass defenses to the national champions.

Fitzpatrick went on to be named an All-American as a sophomore by showcasing his versatility with a strong performance in every facet of the game. The New Jersey native stuffed the stat sheet with 66 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a SC-leading six interceptions and seven passes defended to lead a secondary that looked at least somewhat shaky on paper entering the season.

Injuries forced Fitzpatrick to move between corner, nickel and safety as needed in 2016, but his level of play did not drop off at all. Few defenders have better ball skills than Fitzpatrick, and he’s already recorded four interception returns for touchdowns in addition to a punt return score in his young career.

Corner Marlon Humphrey is gone and the Alabama secondary will want to rebound after being shredded by Deshaun Watson in the title game, so Fitzpatrick is more important than ever. Fitzpatrick’s skill set is reminiscent of Arizona Cardinals star Tyrann Mathieu, so a comparable annual salary of $12.5 million would be his potential deal.

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