We had all heard the murmurs in 2016 that Eli Howard was debatably our best defensive lineman, but due to archaic transfer rules, we weren’t able to see for ourselves until this season what he was all about. Suffice it to say, Howard more than lived up to the hype.

7. Eli Howard, DT (Preseason Rank: NR)

2017 performance

Eli Howard led the team in sacks (5.5) and Tackles For Loss (8.5.). Officially, he had three passes broken up, but I swear he swatted four passes at the line of scrimmage against Kansas alone.