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Chop Chat FSU Football 2017 Awards: Defensive MVP

By Jason Parker

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts in the first half against the Mississippi Rebels during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts in the first half against the Mississippi Rebels during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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FSU football has completed another regular season of action – and we at Chop Chat are here to hand out awards from the 2017 campaign.

Over the last three seasons, a source of debate among FSU football fans has been the play on the defensive side of the ball. At times, they look like a unit that can be among the best in the country – while at other times, they look like a group that could barely beat some of the best high school football teams in the state of Florida.

2017 was no different, as the Seminoles defensive side of the ball came out looking strong in the opener against Alabama – only to let N.C. State and Wake Forest walk all over them in the next two games. Several times, the defense was able to look great for three quarters only to fall apart in the final 15 minutes.

During the last month of the season, the defense found their groove and got some momentum – while showcasing the talent that was on that side of the ball. Among all that talent was one player in particular who might not just be the best defensive player for FSU football – but maybe the best in the entire country…which is why he is the Chop Chat FSU Football 2017 Defensive MVP.

S Derwin James (Redshirt Sophomore – Haines City, FL)

Season Stats – 84 tackles (5.5 for loss), two interceptions with one sack

There is a decent argument to be made that James was the best FSU football player on the defensive side of the ball – and maybe the entire team – since he stepped foot on campus. During his freshman season in 2015, he earned All-American status while his absence showed in 2016 after he missed most of the season with a knee injury and the defense suffered as a result.

In 2017, James entered the season already regarded as one of the top players in the game who would end up being a top draft pick when he decide to come out of school. In the opener against Alabama, James finished with six tackles and a half sack in the loss to the Crimson Tide.

As the season went on, there were various points when critics (which I will admit I was at several points) went after James for only having a handful of tackles each game and not having two picks each Saturday. The problem with that argument is this: offenses were scared to death to throw his way and that’s why his numbers were as impressive as his first full season.

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After getting an interception against Syracuse and a pick six against Delaware State, James finished his career with FSU football with a 12 tackle day against Louisiana Monroe. He won’t be playing in the Independence Bowl after deciding to focus on the NFL Draft (a move not everyone agreed with), but James cemented himself as the top defensive player for 2017.

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