Darren McFadden is the best college football player in America.

If the NFL didn’t have a rule to keep guys from entering the draft until after three years of college, he’d be making millions right now.

Instead, he’s living large.

McFadden truly enjoys college and loves being an Arkansas Razorback.

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He isn’t caught up in the Heisman Trophy campaign as much as he is winning, which was why he was wanting to come back and play Saturday on that last drive against Alabama.

All night, in what turned out to be a very hostile arena, he punished Crimson Tide tacklers.

Not only is McFadden extremely gifted and talented, he has the heart of a champion. He is fearless.

Yet, he is not Superman.

While he certainly didn’t hurt his Heisman hopes in the loss to ’Bama, he did get hurt.

By most standards it was not serious, but it was a slight concussion, and that means another one could come easier and be more severe.

It was obvious Saturday night that Houston Nutt and his staff want to do everything they can to help McFadden win the Heisman, and win games, too, of course.

However, McFadden got far too many touches.

It is doubtful in the heat of battle anyone realized that, but if he continues to carry the ball 33 times against SEC opponents, he will be exhausted by November. Maybe worse.

Not only did he carry 33 times, he lined up as quarterback, caught passes, returned kicks and got off some jaw-jacking blocks.

That’s too much for anyone.

Understand, at just 20 years and one month, he would argue against that.

He is a fierce competitor, and Saturday night the team came first, but Dean Weber kept a hand on him, letting him know it just wasn’t going to happen.

Somehow, Nutt and David Lee need to find a way to get more touches for Felix Jones and Michael Smith, and it was good news that Crosby “TD” Tuck is going to get more playing time.

Tuck has caught two passes, both for touchdowns.

With him as a deep threat — and he will start against Kentucky — it will keep teams from totally stacking the line and focusing on No. 5.

Alabama did.

Most of the night ’Bama linebacker Ezekial Knight lined up next to the defensive end and went after McFadden on every snap.

Knight had nine tackles, and while he paid for them, most involved McFadden.

It has been suggested by some former Razorbacks players that it might be a good idea to have McFadden practice only two days a week. That Wednesday and Thursday is enough to keep him sharp enough to remain the Hogs’ No. 1 weapon.

That would help, but it won’t be enough.

Somehow, the Hogs have to find a way for him not to be a target on so many snaps.

Again, he would never ask for less duty, but there is more than a Heisman Trophy and a winning season in the balance. There is his future.

If McFadden didn’t play another snap this season, he would be a first-round NFL pick, maybe the No. 1 choice, but if he gets hurt that could change.

No doubt, it is a tough spot to be in for the UA coaching staff.

When you have the best player in the country on your side, you want him on the field, and he wants to be there, too.

Yet, like Weber on Saturday night, when he kept the restraining hand on McFadden, the young man has to be protected.

He is too vulnerable in the fourth quarter if he has to carry 33 times, catch 3 passes, return 2 kicks and line up in the WildHog as the quarterback.

When he came off the field in the fourth quarter and couldn’t return, the lesson should have been learned.

McFadden is the best football player in the country, but he’s also a marked man. He’s going to take a beating every Saturday, especially in SEC play.