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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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 15: Mike McGlinchey #68 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish blocks against the Stanford Cardinal during the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 15, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

12. Mike McGlinchey, OL, Notre Dame

McGlinchey could have easily gone to the NFL rather than return to struggling Notre Dame for his senior season, a decision the Fighting Irish would likely handsomely reward him for.

The Philadelphia native signed with the Fighting Irish over a number of other power programs across the country as a four-star recruit and one of the top offensive line prospects in the class of 2013. McGlinchey didn’t become a star right away, as the Fighting Irish sat him for nearly two full years with sporadic playing time, primarily on special teams, and just one career start.

When finally given the chance at playing time in 2015, McGlinchey became a stalwart in 13 starts at right tackle, helping the Fighting Irish to one of the best offensive seasons in school history. With star Ronnie Staley off to the NFL, Notre Dame shifted McGlinchey to left tackle in 2016 and he held steady by earning a handful of third-team All-American nods despite the disappointing overall showing by the Fighting Irish offense.

McGlinchey has firmly established himself as one of the best pass blocking offensive tackles in the nation thanks to his overwhelming physicality. At 6-foot-7, 310 pounds with long arms, McGlinchey has little trouble driving defenders back off the line of scrimmage, and is strong technically to make up for his lack of athleticism.

With another strong season, McGlinchey could be the first offensive tackle off the board in the 2018 NFL Draft. McGlinchey’s frame and arm length are reminiscent of Russell Okung coming out of college, so a similar $13 million salary as one of the highest paid linemen in football would be a fair mark.

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