The 17 most valuable Arizona Wildcats football players of 2017: No. 5

Welcome back to our countdown of the 17 most valuable Arizona Wildcats of 2017.

We’re finally ready to dive into the top five. But first, some quick reminders:

“Most valuable” does not necessarily mean “best.” Rather, we’re defining it as the contributions and traits that most influence winning football. They include talent, leadership and projected role and production.

Newcomers were not eligible for the list. Although many might become major contributors this year, especially on defense, their roles are just too difficult to predict in June.

NO. 5: S DEMETRIUS FLANNIGAN-FOWLES

Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-2, 199, junior

Comment: If you had to pick one UA defensive player who’s poised to earn all-Pac-12 honors, you’d pick Flannigan-Fowles.

As a sophomore, the Tucson product emerged as one of the defense’s premier playmakers. Flannigan-Fowles ranked second on the team with 78 tackles (including a team-best 59 solos) and tied for first with two interceptions. He also ranked in the top four in tackles for losses (four) and pass breakups (six).

No Arizona defender enters 2017 with a more jam-packed résumé. As the “Bandit” in Marcel Yates’ scheme, Flannigan-Fowles is asked to do a lot, from defending the run to covering tight ends and receivers. He’ll take on a bigger leadership role this year with several veteran defensive players having departed – and the other projected starting safeties (Tristan Cooper and Isaiah Hayes) entering their true sophomore seasons.

Besides his experience, role and past production, what makes Flannigan-Fowles a top-five MVP candidate is that he still has plenty of room for growth.

Remember, Flannigan-Fowles was ruled ineligible to play his senior year of high school after transferring from Tucson High to Mountain View. He had only one career start before last season. And he’s still growing into his 6-foot-2 frame. (He recently told the Star he’s up to 210 pounds.)

If there’s one area where Flannigan-Fowles can get better in 2017, it’s becoming more consistent.

Flannigan-Fowles was not as effective in the second half of last season. His didn’t have an interception after Week 3, and his tackling form suffered at times. If Flannigan-Fowles can create more takeaways and improve his tackling fundamentals, all-conference recognition becomes a realistic outcome.

Flannigan-Fowles did rebound at the end of the season; he had a career-high 13 tackles, including one TFL, at Oregon State and a potpourri of production against Arizona State: four tackles, including one TFL, and two pass breakups.

It’ll be interesting to see if Yates expands Flannigan-Fowles’ responsibilities this year. The Wildcats are desperate for pass rushers. Flannigan-Fowles has yet to record a sack. Occasionally unleashing him on quarterbacks would add a wrinkle to Arizona’s defense and further enhance his value.

Either way, Flannigan-Fowles is the leading contender to become the Wildcats’ defensive MVP – especially if he continues to improve. Of the returning defenders with extensive starting experience, his ceiling is as high as anyone’s.

THE 17 MOST VALUABLE WILDCATS OF 2017