Notre Dame Football: Top Defensive Players Irish Will Face in 2018

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 16: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines***Brad Robbins #3 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Air Force Falcons at Michigan Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 08: Malcolm Lewis #9 of the Miami Hurricanes has a pass broken up by Levonta Taylor #1 of the Florida State Seminoles during a game at Hard Rock Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

8. Levonta Taylor (Cornerback, FSU)

Taylor was one of the best coverage cornerbacks in all of college football last season — as a sophomore. His stats don’t jump off the page (2 INTs, 1 TD, 3 PBUs), but this guy got the job done.

According to Pro Football Focus, Taylor ranked first among Power 5 cornerbacks with an average of 30.6 plays in coverage per reception allowed. In addition to that, he also led all ACC cornerbacks with an opposing QBR of 26.1 when targeted in coverage.

The real reason this guy didn’t have better stats in 2017 is because opposing quarterbacks were hesitant to throw his direction.

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