FSU Football: Top defensive players for Noles entering 2017 season

No. 2 – DT Derrick Nnadi (Senior – Virginia Beach, VA)

While much of the attention last season was paid to players like DeMarcus Walker, Josh Sweat, Tarvarus McFadden and others on the FSU football defense, the man in the middle of the line was beyond influential to the improvement of the Seminoles on that side of the ball – and his return to Tallahassee is one of many reasons why big things are expected.

Nnadi joined forces with the Noles’ dominant ends to create a front line that, when on their game, was one of the best in the country. He finished the year with six and a half sacks to go along with just under 50 tackles and combining with Walker on a fumble and recovery in both the opener and the regular season finale for a defensive unit that was ranked in the top 25 nationally in both rushing yards allowed and total defense.

Creating holes in the middle of the line will force offenses to decide whether to double team Nnadi or the ends – they wont be able to do both very often. Without his big presence in the middle of the line, none of that happens – which is why big No. 91 could end up actually being the most valuable player on the FSU football defense by the time 2017 is over.