Top 25 college football players in 2017
By Brad Weiss
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Cornerback, Alabama
Many people feel that our No. 6 selection is the best overall player in college football, and rightfully so. Minkah Fitzpatrick is the best cornerback in the country, and heads an Alabama defense that should be elite once again in 2017. It has been a strong first two seasons for Fitzpatrick with the Crimson Tide, and he may just be scratching the surface of his talent.
After winning a national title in 2015 as a freshman starter for Alabama, Fitzpatrick followed up that campaign with an incredible individual season. The junior was named a First Team All-American, while also being picked as a First Team All-SEC selection, helping Alabama back to the national title game. Alabama lost to Clemson in the final, but that should only add fuel to the fire for this season.
The Alabama defense has lost a lot in terms of talent on the defensive side of the ball, which will make Fitzpatrick’s impact even bigger in 2017. He is an incredible ballhawk, and even collected three interceptions in one game against Arkansas last season. Fitzpatrick set the Alabama record with five interceptions returned for a touchdown in his career, and he still has at least one season left in him.
Alabama will have a big test early, as they take on the Florida State Seminoles to open the season. Fitzpatrick is one of those players who can play all over the secondary, and he may actually spend time at safety as well as cornerback. Wherever head coach Nick Saban decides to play him, he is going to be dominant, and could be a defensive player who is up for the Heisman by the end of the season.