CFB Recruiting 200: Top 23 Cornerbacks
After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report recruiting analysts Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and provided in-depth analysis. As national signing day draws near, Bleacher Report provides a position-by-position breakdown of the best college football recruits. Today, we present the Top Cornerbacks.
Other Positions
The latest position unit to be featured in our CFB 200 series will focus on one of the deepest position groups in the 2015 class: corner.
The top prospect from the state of California, 5-star corner Iman Marshall, headlines an athletic corner group filled with versatile athletes whose abilities have attracted attention from the nation's top colleges.
Bleacher Report has evaluated each corner rated among the nation's top 200 prospects and scored them on attributes such as speed (20 points), ball skills (20 points), run support (20 points) and pass coverage (40 points). The cumulative figures from those traits resulted in our overall grade of each prospect.
Here's a look at the best cover corners in the 2015 class and how their abilities translate to the next level.
*All analysis from Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani. All rankings courtesy of 247Sports Composite Rankings.
23. 4-Star Roney Elam
1 of 23Height/Weight: 6'3”, 170 lbs
High School: Newton High, Newton, Texas
247 Ranking: No. 23 CB/No. 200 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 87/100
Committed to Texas A&M on Aug. 15, 2014
Roney Elam picked up his first offer from LSU in February of 2014, with schools such as Alabama, Baylor, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M subsequently following suit in tendering the lanky corner.
In the end, the battle for Elam’s commitment came down to LSU and Texas A&M, with the Aggies winning out and keeping him in-state.
According to Brian Perroni of GigEm247, Elam’s head coach at Newton High School—WT Johnston—said his star pupil has remained firm in his decision.
"He has never wavered, from what he's told me," Johnston told Perroni. "He's solid and hasn't looked anywhere else since committing.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Elam is a rangy corner who has the ability to also play safety. He’s someone who will come down and lay the wood to ball carriers in space and he shows good instincts in pass coverage and in his breaks on the ball. He’s still very raw in terms of his technique, but if he can add some weight without sacrificing speed or athleticism, he has a chance to develop into the type of big corners that teams in college and the NFL are coveting.
22. 4-Star Xavier Lewis
2 of 23Height/Weight: 5'11”, 188 lbs.
High School: East St. John High, Reserve, La.
247 Ranking: No. 22 CB/No. 178 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Committed to LSU on July 8, 2014
Xavier Lewis’s history with LSU will be put to the test over the final weeks before national signing day.
Lewis originally committed to the Tigers in August of 2013, but subsequently decommitted six months later.
However, he committed to Les Miles and his staff for a second time in July.
According to Colt Barber of Horns247, Lewis plans to visit Texas before signing day, which means the Tigers will have sweat out his recruitment until he signs his letter of intent.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Lewis is a physical corner who is comfortable playing close to the line of scrimmage. He can jam receivers at the snap and he’s adept at shedding blocks and getting involved in run support. His size and style of play is a good fit for the traditional man schemes LSU has made famous in recent years.
21. 4-Star Tyrek Cole
3 of 23
Height/Weight: 6'0", 170 lbs
High School: Miramar High, Hollywood, Fla.
247Sports Ranking: No. 21 CB/No. 160 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Committed to West Virginia on Sept. 22, 2014
Tyrek Cole backed off a January commitment to Florida State and then subsequently pledged to West Virginia in September.
Miramar High School—which has another four players committed to West Virginia—has been a pipeline to Morgantown ever since the Mountaineers were able to land Geno Smith back in 2009.
As noted by Dave Brousseau of the Sun Sentinel (subscription required), Cole has had a number of off-field issues pop up that have marred his senior season.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Cole is an athletic corner who plays bigger than his listed size. He's physical in run support and uses his body to maintain good leverage when he's in deep coverage. He also excels at winning one-on-one matchups when the ball is in the air.
20. 4-Star Rico McGraw
4 of 23
Height/Weight: 6'0", 190 lbs
High School: Ensworth High, Nashville, Tenn.
247Sports Ranking: No. 20 CB/No. 145 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Committed to Alabama on July 31, 2014
After committing to Georgia in January, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide were able to flip the talented Tennessee native in July.
As Rusty Mansell of Dawgs247 notes (subscription required), Bulldogs defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt hasn't given up in his pursuit of McGraw.
While McGraw appears to be solid in his Alabama pledge, expect Georgia to keep aggressively pursuing him until signing day.
Bleacher Report Analysis
McGraw is a versatile defender who can play safety or corner at the next level. His ball skills and awareness in coverage stick out for a player with his build. When I saw him during the spring at the Birmingham NFTC, he impressed me with his short-area quickness in drills.
19. 4-Star PJ Mbanasor
5 of 23
Height/Weight: 6'1", 176 lbs
High School: Hendrickson High, Pflugerville, Texas
247Sports Ranking: No. 19 CB/No. 133 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Committed to Oklahoma on June 3, 2014
After an early pledge to TCU in January, PJ Mbanasor reopened his recruiting process less than two months later.
Oklahoma went into Texas to snatch Mbanasor, who selected the Sooners in June over offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Florida and Texas A&M, among others.
He's been a solid pledge since the summer, having visited Norman multiple times since the season started.
Bleacher Report Analysis
The best word to describe Mbanasor's game is "physicality." He excels at playing receivers close to the line and jamming them. Run support is another area where he shines. He's a big-time hitter and a sure tackler on backs and receivers when he's matched up one-on-one in open space.
18. 4-Star Eric Lee
6 of 23
Height/Weight: 6'0", 175 lbs
High School: Valor Christian High, Littleton, Colo.
247Sports Ranking: No. 18 CB/No. 127 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Committed to Nebraska on Feb. 1, 2014
Nebraska beat out Pac-12 schools such as Arizona State, Colorado and Oregon State for the top prospect from the state of Colorado.
After Bo Pelini's dismissal, Lee was briefly on the fence about heading to Lincoln. However, as Mike Schaefer of Huskers Illustrated reported (subscription required), new Huskers head coach Mike Riley's first stop on the recruiting trail was to visit Lee.
That visit sealed his commitment up, and he will enroll at Nebraska next month, where he's expected to compete for a spot in the rotation at corner.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Lee is an athletic prospect who flashes great instincts and the ability to close fast when he breaks on a pass. He's also rangy and athletic enough to win jump-ball situations with receivers when the ball is in the air. There's an added bonus with Lee since he's also a candidate to be a star on special teams as an explosive return man.
17. 4-Star John Reid
7 of 23Height/Weight: 5'10", 180 lbs
High School: St. Joseph's Prep, Philadelphia
247Sports Ranking: No. 17 CB/No. 126 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Committed to Penn State on August 8, 2014
John Reid became one of the cornerstones of Penn State's class when he committed to James Franklin and his staff back in August.
He selected the Nittany Lions over the likes of Alabama, Michigan State and Notre Dame, among others.
He's never wavered in his pledge, and all signs point to him landing in Happy Valley next season.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Given that he also played wideout in his prep career, Reid has excellent ball skills for a corner. He's also one of the few corners in this class who is quick enough to line up on slot receivers. Overall, Reid is a well-rounded corner who brings a versatile skill set to the college level.
16. 4-Star Garrett Taylor
8 of 23Height/Weight: 6'1", 195 lbs
High School: St. Christopher's School, Richmond, Va.
247Sports Ranking: No. 16 CB/No. 125 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Committed to Penn State on November 30, 2014
Similar to Crawford, Garrett Taylor made an early commitment to Michigan back in March.
However, he reopened his recruitment in October before announcing his commitment to Penn State a month later.
He was teammates with 4-star linebacker and recent Oklahoma pledge Ricky DeBerry before DeBerry transferred to another school as a senior.
Bleacher Report Analysis
At 195 pounds, Taylor will bring a college-ready frame to the next level. His physical playing style could lend to him playing safety in college. He's a big hitter from that position. If he stays at corner, he possesses great length and uses his hands to disrupt receivers off the line of scrimmage.
15. 4-Star Frank Buncom IV
9 of 23
Height/Weight: 6'1", 190 lbs
High School: St. Augustine High, San Diego
247Sports Ranking: No. 15 CB/No. 120 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Uncommitted: Considering Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Stanford, California
Frank Buncom IV is one of the top athletes in the state of California for the 2015 cycle, but he projects to the next level as a big, physical corner.
According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports (subscription required), Buncom's final four schools are Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Stanford and California.
He has official visits remaining for his two in-state finalists set for next month before he makes his decision.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Buncom has the prototypical size that teams are desperately searching for at the corner position. What separates him from the "big corner" label is the overall athleticism he brings to the table. He also dabbled at receiver in high school, with his ball skills and playmaking ability making him an all-around talent who can possibly contribute early in his college career.
14. 4-Star Shaun Crawford
10 of 23
Height/Weight: 5'10", 170 lbs
High School: St. Edward High, Lakewood, Ohio
247Sports Ranking: No. 14 CB/No. 113 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Committed to Notre Dame on June 15, 2014
Shaun Crawford's recruitment seemed to be over before his junior season began, as he committed to Michigan in August of 2013.
However, he backed off that pledge in May before announcing he would attend Notre Dame over offers from Florida State, Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State, among others.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Crawford doesn't wow you with measurables, but he is a technician who flashes plenty of playmaking ability in the secondary. He attacks the ball in the air like a receiver, and he has great closing speed when he's beaten off the line of scrimmage. He's also a potential difference-maker as a return man on special teams, which highlights his ability to make big plays when the ball is in his hands.
13. 4-Star Jordan Whitehead
11 of 23
Height/Weight: 6'0", 180 lbs
High School: Central Valley High, Monaca, Pa.
247Sports Ranking: No. 13 CB/No. 106 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Committed to Pittsburgh on Oct. 3, 2014
Penn State has dominated recruiting in the Keystone State in the 2015 cycle, but it was Pittsburgh that emerged victorious for the state's top prospect in Jordan Whitehead.
Despite the recent departure of head coach Paul Chryst to Wisconsin, Whitehead still maintains he's solid with his pledge to the Panthers, per Chris Anderson of Eer Sports.
However, as Anderson notes, one new development with Whitehead is that he has scrapped plans to enroll early—which gives schools such as Ohio State, Penn State and West Virginia a chance to change his mind.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Whitehead is a versatile athlete who also starred as a running back during his prep career. His background on offense is evident when he lines up at corner. He attacks the ball as if he was the receiver, and he displays solid technique in both man and off coverages. He's also a weapon on special teams as a return man.
12. 4-Star Eric Glover-Williams
12 of 23
Height/Weight: 5'11", 165 lbs
High School: McKinley High, Canton, Ohio
247Sports Ranking: No. 12 CB/No. 99 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Committed to Ohio State on Aug. 25, 2013
The very first player Urban Meyer was able to land in Ohio State's 2015 class was Eric Glover-Williams back in August of 2013.
Glover-Williams selected Ohio State over offers from Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia, among others.
As noted by Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts, he's a versatile prospect who excelled at both running back and corner during his prep career.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Glover-Williams is one of the more explosive athletes in this class, and his ability to create big plays in open space could mean he takes his snaps on offense in college. As a corner, he flashes great speed and instincts. He's more of an athlete playing corner instead of being a true corner at this stage. However, he has all the tools to develop into a solid defensive back at the next level.
11. 4-Star Kris Boyd
13 of 23
Height/Weight: 6'0", 181 lbs
High School: Gilmer High, Gilmer, Texas
247Sports Ranking: No. 11 CB/No. 97 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Uncommitted: Considering Texas, Florida State, Texas A&M, Baylor
Kris Boyd is one of three corners from the Lone Star State ranked among the nation's top 10 corners.
His younger brother, Demarco, is a standout linebacker in the 2016 class.
Florida State is the primary threat to pull him away from his home state, with Texas ahead of Texas A&M and Baylor as his top in-state options.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Boyd is a standout running back as well, and he brings an aggressive nature to the defensive side of the ball. In run support, he takes on blocks and is a sure tackler in space. He also displays great ball skills and athleticism in coverage.
10. 4-Star Isaiah Langley
14 of 23
Height/Weight: 5'11", 170 lbs
High School: Foothill High, Pleasanton, Calif.
247Sports Ranking: No. 10 CB/No. 96 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Committed to USC on July 8, 2014
One of the biggest current commitments Steve Sarkisian has been able to land in USC's 2015 class is Isaiah Langley.
The 5'11", 170-pound California native selected USC in July over offers from Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon and UCLA, among others.
As Scott Schrader of FightOn247 notes, Langley has been one of the biggest recruiters for the Trojans during the 2015 cycle.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Langley is a two-way standout who could play running back or receiver in college as well. As a corner, he's a smooth athlete who plays bigger and faster than his listed measurables. His ball skills and his ability to stick to his receivers in man coverages jump out as traits that separate him as an elite corner in this class.
9. 4-Star Mark Fields
15 of 23
Height/Weight: 5'11", 183 lbs
High School: William Amos Hough High, Cornelius, N.C.
247Sports Ranking: No. 9 CB/No. 94 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Uncommitted: Considering Clemson, South Carolina, Texas
Mark Fields committed to South Carolina in March before reopening his recruiting process in December.
The uncertainty surrounding how long Steve Spurrier plans to be in Columbia has schools such as Clemson and Texas squarely in position to land Fields on signing day.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Fields is a polished corner who possesses great range and technique in pass coverage. When the ball is in the air, he attacks it like a receiver. He's a physical tackler in run support, and he has the instincts to also play safety.
8. Ykili Ross
16 of 23Height/Weight: 6'1", 175 lbs
High School: Poly High, Riverside, Calif.
247Sports Ranking: No. 8 CB, No. 84 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Ykili Ross had offers from elite powers such as Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon and USC in the spring.
He committed to the Trojans at the U.S. Army All-American Game.
Even if he takes scheduled visits to Arizona State and Oregon in January, expect him to stick with the Trojans.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Ross starred as a two-way athlete in high school, with most of his damage coming as a receiver on offense. That background on offense is evident in his ball skills when he lines up at corner. He's got great short-area quickness and he's great at attacking the ball in the air when he's in coverage. He's a naturally smooth athlete that should be able to make the transition to corner, with the concentration on one position sure to help him develop at that spot.
7. 4-Star Holton Hill
17 of 23
Height/Weight: 6'2", 184 lbs
High School: Lamar High, Houston
247Sports Ranking: No. 7 CB/No. 80 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Uncommitted: Considering Texas, Baylor, LSU, Florida State
Holton Hill is a rangy corner prospect who has Texas, Baylor, LSU and Florida State among his favorites.
In particular, the Longhorns seem to have the momentum, with Hill following the commitments of fellow in-state stars Malik Jefferson and DeAndre McNeal.
During his senior season, Hill showed off his ball-hawking instincts by snaring an astounding 11 interceptions.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Hill is a big corner who is capable of matching up on the outside against the bigger receivers prevalent in today's game. He flashes great ball skills, and as his 2014 interception total indicates, he has great instincts when the ball is in the air. With his size, he's also comfortable shedding blocks and being an aggressive tackler in run support.
6. 4-Star DeChaun Holiday
18 of 23Height/Weight: 6'3", 195 lbs
High School: Mission Hills High, San Marcos, Calif.
247 Ranking: No. 6 CB/No. 68 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Uncommitted: Considering UCLA, USC, Oklahoma and Oregon
DeChaun Holiday represents one of the nation's top defensive backs who has yet to make his commitment.
While Oregon and Oklahoma are among the schools outside of California looking to lure Holiday away from home, his recruitment appears as if it will come down to rivals UCLA and USC.
Bleacher Report Analysis
During the spring, I spoke with a staff member at a Pac-12 school who told me Holiday was the best safety prospect in the country. While I don't know if I'd go that far, one thing that stands out is how fluid he is in coverage. He played corner a lot in high school, and he could thrive as a big corner at the next level. His versatility, size and ball skills make him an elite prospect.
5. 5-Star Minkah Fitzpatrick
19 of 23Height/Weight: 6'1", 198 lbs
High School: Saint Peter's Prep, Jersey City, N.J.
247Sports Ranking: No. 5 CB/No. 30 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Committed to Alabama on April 19, 2014
Nick Saban identified Minkah Fitzpatrick as one of the elite prospects in the 2015 cycle early in the process, and his diligence in recruiting the New Jersey native paid off when he committed to the Tide in April.
However, Florida State has continued to pursue Fitzpatrick—who officially visited Tallahassee in October—after his commitment, but his pledge to the Tide appears to be solid.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Fitzpatrick is an elite athlete who has the skill set to play receiver in college. However, his package of size and athleticism at corner is what makes him a special prospect. He hits like a linebacker in run support and has the hips of an offensive skill player. He'll fit in well at a place like Alabama that has players with the prototypical NFL body types at every position.
4. 5-Star Kendall Sheffield
20 of 23Height/Weight: 6'0", 181 lbs
High School: Fort Bend Marshall High, Missouri City, Texas
247Sports Ranking: No. 4 CB/No. 20 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Committed to Alabama on Jan. 2, 2015
Kendall Sheffield is one of the top prospects in the hotbed of the state of Texas.
The 6'0", 181-pounder was coveted by the likes of Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida State, as noted by Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.
Sheffield committed to the Crimson Tide at the Under Armour All-America Game, and his pledge gives Nick Saban another huge victory from a secondary standout from the Lone Star State.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Speed is the name of the game with Sheffield, who may be the nation's fastest corner prospect. His athleticism is off the charts in situations where he has to jump or move in quick bursts to recover on plays when he's beaten off the line or out of a receiver's break. He's also displayed a willingness to take on blocks in the run game, and he's a sound tackler in open space. Overall, Sheffield is one of the nation's elite athletes in the 2015 cycle.
3. 5-Star Tarvarus McFadden
21 of 23Height/Weight: 6'3", 198 lbs
High School: American Heritage High, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
247 Ranking: No. 3 CB/No. 15 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Committed to Florida State on Oct. 31, 2014
Tarvarus McFadden selected Florida State over Georgia and LSU in late October.
However, he still may take visits in January, including one to Athens, as noted by Chris Nee of Noles247 (subscription required).
McFadden and Ohio State pledge and 4-star athlete Torrance Gibson led American Heritage to back-to-back 5A state titles.
Bleacher Report Analysis
McFadden is a jumbo-sized corner who moves like a player who is five inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter. His height serves him well in one-on-one battles against bigger receivers. However, given his unique size, I'd like to see him use his hands and press receivers more at the line of scrimmage. Overall, he's an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling on the college level.
2. 5-Star Kevin Toliver II
22 of 23Height/Weight: 6'2", 185 lbs
High School: Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla.
247Sports Ranking: No. 2 CB/No. 8 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to LSU on Nov. 4, 2012
Kevin Toliver II has been pegged as one of the nation's best prospects in the 2015 class since he was a sophomore.
In fact, he committed to LSU more than two years ago and will enroll in Baton Rouge in January despite schools such as Florida State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and UCLA still aggressively pursuing him.
He was the catalyst on a state title-winning team with more than 10 players who have offers from Power Five schools.
Bleacher Report Analysis
My first glimpse of Toliver came in a camp setting where he was practically unbeatable in one-on-one drills. When I saw him in action this season, my first thought was that he looked like the prototype corner you would draw up if you were to start from scratch. He excels in jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage, with few receivers able to recover from the immediate disruption of their routes. He's going to a place in LSU that has prided itself on being physical and playing man-to-man coverages, which suits his skill set perfectly.
1. 5-Star Iman Marshall
23 of 23Height/Weight: 6'1", 190 lbs
High School: Long Beach Poly High, Long Beach, Calif.
247Sports Ranking: No. 1 CB/No. 4 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Uncommitted: Considering USC, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan
To be the top prospect in the state of California, in what is a loaded year for the state, illustrates how freakish of a prospect Iman Marshall is.
"Biggie," as he's nicknamed, is one of the nation's most coveted uncommitted prospects left in the 2015 cycle, with USC trying to keep him home and away from the likes of Florida State, LSU and Notre Dame, among others.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Marshall is the total package at corner. He packs a punch when he's making a tackle, and he flashes great quickness and instincts when he's in coverage. He's versatile enough to match up against slot receivers on the inside or play bigger receivers on the outside. Marshall is also a candidate to provide big plays on special teams, which makes him a candidate to be an instant impact performer as a freshman next fall.
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