Whether its knocking the opposition off his feet, getting that key interception or coming up with the big sack, these defensive players below made the big plays all year long, and turned the tide in several big games. Some even have NFL careers ahead of them. The question is, which of these stellar defensive players do FCS fans think had the best 2017 season? Give it a vote below:
Voting closes Friday at noon, Pacific.
[divider]COMPARE: Any Two FCS Players | Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
Mike Basile, DB — Monmouth
Class: Senior
Stats: 126 tackles (91 solo), 1 INT
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Taron Johnson, DB — Weber State
Class: Senior
Stats: 49 tackles (36 solo), 3 INT, 9 pass breakups
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Andrew Ankrah, DL — James Madison
Class: Senior
Stats: 54 tackles (29 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR
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Darius Jackson, DL — Jacksonville State
Class: Senior
Stats: 55 tackles (32 solo), 20.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 3 FF, 2 FR, 20 QB hits
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Jonathan Petersen, DL — San Diego
Class: Senior
Stats: 25.5 tackles for loss, 18.0 sacks (FCS leader in both), 51 tackles (33 solo)
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P.J. Hall, DL — Sam Houston State
Class: Senior
Stats: 60 tackles (31 solo), 19.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 4 blocked kicks
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Darius Leonard, LB — South Carolina State
Class: Senior
Stats: 113 tackles (73 solo), 8.0 sacks, 10 QB hits
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Brett Taylor, LB — Western Illinois
Class: Senior
Stats: 162 tackles (FCS leader), 66 solo tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss
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De'Arius Christmas, LB — Grambling State
Class: Junior
Stats: 88 tackles (48 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks
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Garrett Dolan, LB — Houston Baptist
Class: Senior
Stats: 140 tackles (80 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, 5 QB hits
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FAN CHOICE: FCS Defensive Player of the Year (2017)
