B/R CFB 250: Top 21 Cornerbacks
Bleacher Report's CFB 250 is an annual ranking of the best players in college football, regardless of NFL potential. Through interviews with B/R Experts Matt Miller, Michael Felder, Barrett Sallee and Adam Kramer, authors Brian Leigh and Brian Pedersen have studied, ranked and graded the top athletes in the country, narrowed that list to 250 and sorted by position. Today, Brian Leigh presents the Top 21 Cornerbacks.
Other CFB 250 Positions
It's been a strong year for college cornerbacks, but that's to be expected when a recruiting class as loaded as the 2013 group—a banner crop of high school cornerbacks—becomes upperclassmen.
This is true despite the loss of Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller—a member of the 2013 class and one of the best defensive players in college football—to a torn meniscus in September.
Fuller's classmates were around to pick up the slack, however, and so were the sophomores and seniors. It was hard to distinguish the top five players on this list because each has been so valuable.
Each could have realistically ranked No. 1.
But before we dig into that, a disclaimer: The cornerbacks who follow were graded as college prospects, not as NFL prospects. If they get the job done at this level, it's irrelevant how they project to the pro level.
This is all about college performance.
Note: If two players finished with the same grade, the authors made a subjective call on which player they prefer.
21-18. Russell, Thomas, Penton, Harris
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21. KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame
Coverage: 40/50; Run Defense: 21/25; Ball Skills: 21/25
KeiVarae Russell took a step back after missing last year on suspension. He still played well and made a number of crucial plays, but his struggles against Pittsburgh and Virginia, which are far from aerial juggernauts, showed how far he has left to develop. The physical tools are there, and the tape from his freshman year is special. He just needs to make a few minor tweaks.
20. Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma
Coverage: 41/50; Run Defense: 21/25; Ball Skills: 21/25
Jordan Thomas emerged as Oklahoma's best cornerback, surpassing big-play specialist (but run-defense and coverage liability) Zack Sanchez as the season wore on. His signature game against Baylor, when he shut down Bears receiver Corey Coleman, remains one of the best coverage performances of the year. He failed to meet that standard on a weekly basis, but it's not as if he struggled. All in all, he had a very solid year.
19. Aarion Penton, Missouri
Coverage: 41/50; Run Defense: 22/25; Ball Skills: 20/25
Aarion Penton is a two-year starter on Missouri's world-beating defense. The Tigers allowed 169 passing yards per game, in large part because Penton, along with the rest of their secondary pieces, kept everything in front of them. Penton also chipped in with 59 total tackles.
18. Matthew Harris, Northwestern
Coverage: 40/50; Run Defense: 21/25; Ball Skills: 22/25
Matthew Harris combines with Northwestern's other star cornerback—whom we'll discuss on a later slide—to give the Wildcats a formidable pass defense. The junior has been a magnet for big plays, recording four interceptions and 12 pass breakups and countless other meaningful highlights. National fans don't know him, but Big Ten fans and coaches know him well.
17-14. Jackson, White, Luke, Elston
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17. William Jackson, Houston
Coverage: 41/50; Run Defense: 21/25; Ball Skills: 21/25
William Jackson has taken a star turn in 2015, building on last year's second-team All-AAC season and emerging as a legit NFL prospect. He has great length (6'2", 195 lbs) and knows how to use it both in coverage and making plays in the box. There's nothing he doesn't do well, although he could stand to improve on adjusting to throws in the air.
16. Tre'Davious White, LSU
Coverage: 40/50; Run Defense: 22/25; Ball Skills: 22/25
Tre'Davious White took a small—emphasis on small—step back as a junior, although he's still one of the SEC's top cornerbacks. The tools are there for him to become a shutdown player, but he's inconsistent in coverage and was toasted in a high-profile matchup against Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell. Regardles, he's one of LSU's best players and a dangerous return man.
15. Cole Luke, Notre Dame
Coverage: 42/50; Run Defense: 22/25; Ball Skills: 21/25
Cole Luke is the lesser-known of Notre Dame's cornerbacks, but he outperformed KeiVarae Russell in 2015. Russell made more big plays, but Luke was more consistent in coverage and did a better job executing the little things. He would have ranked higher if not for struggling in the regular-season finale at Stanford. But one bad game does not define his season.
14. Trae Elston, Ole Miss
Coverage: 41/50; Run Defense: 22/25; Ball Skills: 22/25
Trae Elston improved his play for a defense that took a step back. He's a playmaker in both run support (66 tackles) and coverage (four interceptions, 12 pass breakups) who contributes as a cover guy, too. A key part of last year's "Landsharks," he became a better leader and helped keep the Rebels defense afloat.
13. Nick VanHoose, Northwestern
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B/R Expert Scouting
"The things to love about this guy are his vision, patience and understanding, especially in zone coverages. He relates very well to his in-area targets, knows when to carry, when to drop off and is consistently in position to deny passes."
—Michael Felder
Coverage
Nick VanHoose is a microcosm of Northwestern's defense: overlooked but one of the best in college football. The key to his success is coverage, where he uses a sturdy frame (6'0", 190 lbs), toughness and physicality to lock up all types of receivers. He is not a next-level athlete, which shows up against players with NFL size or speed. But in college, those players are rare.
Run Defense
VanHoose is merely decent against the run. He's posted 41 tackles for a defense that's fared well on the ground, but only one of those tackles came behind the line of scrimmage. His toughness makes him valuable, but he needs to improve his play recognition and attack the ball earlier.
Ball Skills
Each of VanHoose's three interceptions proved vital in a big Northwestern win. He returned one for a 72-yard touchdown against Nebraska and also picked one off against Penn State and Wisconsin. Even when he's not intercepting passes, he shows impressive ball skills jumping routes and in the air. The only thing he lacks is explosive athleticism.
Overall
VanHoose flies under the radar, but at Northwestern, that's expected. He's one of many "anonymous" Wildcats to grace the CFB 250. He and Matthew Harris give Northwestern one of the best cornerback tandems in America. There's a reason all its games turn ugly…and only half of that concerns its offense.
12. Cyrus Jones, Alabama
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He took a little while to click, but he's a big reason that secondary became a force. Teams started to throw away from him, and as a result, some of his teammates got chances they wouldn't previously have gotten."
—Barrett Sallee
Coverage
Cyrus Jones is not the the "lock you down, compete for the Thorpe Award" cornerback Alabama fans are used to—but that's fine. This team doesn't need Dre Kirkpatrick. What it's needed the past few seasons is a capable No. 1 cornerback: a player who can hold his own, at least, against alpha-male receivers. That is what Jones has emerged as.
Run Defense
The front seven steals the headlines, and rightfully so, but you can't field a run defense like Alabama's without contributions on the outside. Jones overcomes average size (5'10", 196 lbs) with above-average strength and track-type speed to chase runners down from all angles. You'd like to see more plays in the backfield against teams that aren't Charleston Southern, but he's still a viable weapon.
Ball Skills
Jones is a tremendous athlete. He's one of the best punt returners in college football and a threat to score whenever he touches the football. He and Alabama's secondary are aggressive making plays on the ball, hounding for a chance to force big turnovers and score on defense. Jones has been instrumental in all of that.
Overall
The exhaust port in Alabama's Death Star has been its secondary. Opponents have attacked its cornerbacks and hoped for the best. That worked for Ole Miss at the beginning of the season, but as Jones and his teammates developed, the exhaust port became harder to target. This defense has inched closer to being impregnable.
11. Taveze Calhoun, Mississippi State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"When he wins at the line of scrimmage, he's great in coverage. Really quick, turns his head quickly and understands route combinations. He's been really good for a team that is physically not that great but gets the job done in critical moments."
—Barrett Sallee
Coverage
Taveze Calhoun fits the mold of a modern cornerback. He's tall (6'1"), lanky (180 lbs) and comfortable using his length in press-man coverage. He also has nice zone instincts and knows when to sink versus when to attack. If he adds weight and learns to jam bigger, more physical receivers, he can take the step from very good to great.
Run Defense
More than just his coverage skills, Calhoun's run defense earns high marks. He crashes the line of scrimmage and plays an active role on Mississippi State's swarming unit. The Bulldogs lack defensive star power but excel because each player is willing to gang-tackle or take a block out for his teammates. Calhoun is a shining example of that attitude.
Ball Skills
Calhoun is more of a safety net than a game-breaker, but he does possess good ball skills. His size makes him formidable in the air, and he snagged two interceptions to go with seven pass breakups as a senior. His instincts attacking the ball are solid, but he's not the type to jump a route and turn a game on its head.
Overall
Teammate Will Redmond entered the season with more hype, but Calhoun was Mississippi State's best corner. That was true before Redmond tore his ACL, and it was especially true without Redmond, when the defense sorely needed Calhoun to play at a higher level (which he did). Conference media projected the Bulldogs to finish last in the SEC West, overlooking the ragtag core of role players who helped them reach No. 1 in the polls last season. Calhoun was one of the many who proved those projections wrong.
10. Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
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B/R Expert Scouting
"I think he gets overshadowed in the SEC by Vernon Hargreaves, but he's been solid all year long, even though he's been banged up. He doesn't get talked about enough, because he's been awesome this year when healthy."
—Barrett Sallee
Coverage
Cameron Sutton is a new-age cornerback. He's only 5'11", 186 pounds, but he plays as if he's 6'2". He balls out against bigger receivers with physical tactics and smooth hips. He's not an explosive athlete, but he's sticky in man coverage and shows great anticipation jumping routes.
Run Defense
Run defense is a question on Sutton's profile. He makes most of his tackles on the perimeter but doesn't always help in crowded spaces. This can be seen on the box score: In three years he's posted 92 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles. He needs to stick his head down and free up teammates.
Ball Skills
Sutton has above-average ball skills. His breakup and interception numbers dropped in 2015, but that had more to do with teams avoiding him than any sort of regression. Still, he's not elite in this category, as he struggles at times to win against better athletes. Physicality can only take him so far.
Overall
As a pure cover corner, Sutton excels. If that was the only metric on this ranking, he would have placed No. 6. The other parts of his game need fine-tuning, but there's reason to believe he can tune them. His whole career has been a story of overachievement.
9. William Likely, Maryland
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B/R Expert Scouting
"As a corner, Likely can lock down guys who have many inches on him due to his speed, quickness and willingness to climb the ladder to make a play. With the ball in his hands—interceptions, returns or handoffs—the guy just finds a way to steal yardage."
—Michael Felder
Coverage
William Likely holds his own in coverage. He blankets receivers in man and shows good anticipation in zone but can lose one-on-one matchups because of size limitations (5'7", 175 lbs). Despite that, he's a ridiculous athlete with closing speed and leaping ability to hold his own at multiple positions. He'll end up in the slot in the pros, but for now he does fine on the perimeter.
Run Defense
Likely is a plucky, energetic run defender. His tackles went down after posting 83 as a sophomore, but he still finished with 44 total tackles, 35 solo tackles and four tackles for loss. He'll struggle to tackle bigger running backs, obviously, but not as much as one might expect. Technique and short-line quickness make him useful despite his size.
Ball Skills
Here is where Likely turns special. The only demerit keeping him from a perfect score is playing jump balls in the air. He's dangerous once he gets his hands on the ball, though, which is why Maryland toyed with him on offense in addition to special teams. Earlier in the season—before teams developed the good sense to kick away from him—he posted 233 punt-return yards in one game against Richmond.
Overall
Likely is a player worth rooting for. Size concerns have weighed down his career, causing foolhardy coaches to doubt him at every turn. But at every turn, Likely has excelled, especially the past two years at Maryland. Whenever he declares for the NFL draft, he will inevitably fall two rounds lower than he should (a Maryland tradition of sorts). But whichever team drafts him will get a massive steal.
8. Jalen Tabor, Florida
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He obviously got a lot of chances this year, because people were afraid to throw at Vernon [Hargreaves III], and he took advantage. He's a big, physical guy who's next in line to take over for Vernon."
—Barrett Sallee
Coverage
Jalen Tabor is not a "lockdown" corner, but he's close. He's good enough that teams should avoid him; they just can't because of whom he plays across from. When he loses in man-to-man coverage, it typically has more to do with breakdowns and mental lapses than physical flaws. If he smooths out the rough edges—which aren't even that rough to begin with—he can become an All-American next season.
Run Defense
Tabor, like the rest of Florida's defense, takes pride in defending the run. He's a big-bodied corner (6'0", 191 lbs) who plays with a noticeable mean streak. That doesn't always result in tackles, but it has helped Florida field an excellent run defense. He won't back down from anyone.
Ball Skills
This is where Tabor excels. He finished the regular season with 14 pass breakups, four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns, taking full advantage of how often offenses threw at him. The beauty of Florida's defense is that it puts teams in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. Tabor's ball skills are the "damned if you don't" throw at Hargreaves.
Overall
Tabor is a really exciting prospect. He showed well as a true freshman in 2014, and then he made big strides as a sophomore. Next year, as a true junior, he will likely be the No. 1 cornerback. That will be a different challenge, but based on what he's shown so far in Gainesville, it's a challenge he is definitely up for.
7. Eli Apple, Ohio State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"Apple plays on such a talent-laden defense that he does not get discussed nearly enough as a quality corner. His length is outstanding, he has good speed down the field and he breaks quickly, allowing him to use his length to break up passes and make it difficult for receivers."
—Michael Felder
Coverage
Eli Apple is a nice fit in Chris Ash's pass defense. He excels in zone and aggressive press-man coverage, which Ohio State dials up with frequency. His size (6'1", 200 lbs) and fluid hips give him a rare combination of traits and allow him to cover all types of receivers. He and Gareon Conley, who barely missed this list, form one of the best cover tandems in the country.
Run Defense
Apple grew up at the end of 2014, recording 13 solo tackles against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon in the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff. He parlayed that strong finish into another strong year against the run, although it didn't always show up on the stat sheet. Regardless, his size and physicality are evident on tape and appreciated by his linebackers and safeties.
Ball Skills
Ball skills are a big part of what makes Apple special. The height-weight-speed thing is more common than most people think, but what separates pure athletic freaks from top-notch cornerbacks is the latter's ability to finish plays. Apple finishes plays with the best of them, demonstrating great body control, hands and coordination. He is more than just a violent athlete.
Overall
Apple flies under the radar on a defense with countless superstars. Offenses can (and often do) avoid him, which gives him fewer opportunities than Joey Bosa, Vonn Bell, Raekwon McMillan, etc. to post stats and record highlights. But any of those players, along with any Ohio State fans, would tell you how crucial Apple is to this defense. He's an upgrade on former teammates Bradley Roby and Doran Grant.
6. Desmond King, Iowa
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B/R Expert Scouting
"This guy is one of the best unknowns, on the national stage, at any position. He is exceptional in zone looks, something Iowa uses plenty. He matches patterns well, is efficient in his movement, sees through the wide receiver to the quarterback and doesn't waste steps in his breaks. Guy has the 'it' to succeed."
—Michael Felder
Coverage
Desmond King is a zone-coverage specialist. He gains good depth and keeps his eyes on the quarterback, at which point he plays on instinct and covers a ton of ground. He's solid but not as good in man coverage, although he's still one of the Big Ten's best. All in all, he's a terrific cover cornerback.
Run Defense
King plays an active role in Iowa's run defense, which has been one of the nation's best. He is physical off the edge and has posted an impressive 67 tackles in 13 games. He's also unselfish and disciplined, setting a hard edge on outside runs to funnel plays inside. Like all Iowa prospects, what he does is unspectacular but impressive.
Ball Skills
Few make better plays on the ball than King. He ranks second in the nation with eight interceptions, and he buoyed them with 12 pass breakups. Those numbers are slightly inflated since Greg Mabin, Iowa's other cornerback, is also very good and prevents quarterbacks from avoiding one side of the field. But still, most of that production is on King.
Overall
The CFB 250 has always been high on King. Michael Felder included him two years ago, and although he didn't make it after 2014, he slid back into the rankings this preseason. It felt like vindication when he enjoyed a career junior year. After flying under the radar as an underclassman, he finally made people acknowledge his contributions.
5. Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
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B/R Expert Scouting
"Alexander really only suffers from having redshirted in the year when guys like Vernon Hargreaves and Tre'Davious White made their freshman debut. He is every bit as good as the other top corners nationally, and his willingness to let receivers know he shut them down makes watching him work even more of a treat."
—Michael Felder
Coverage
Mackensie Alexander has earned the "island" treatment where quarterbacks refuse to target him. So while his stats—21 tackles, four pass breakups, no interceptions—might look pedestrian, the context behind them is anything but. The truth is that Alexander, a former 5-star recruit on 247Sports' composite rankings, has lived up to the billing and then some. He's one of the best cover corners in America.
Run Defense
You'd like to see him post more tackles, but Alexander's run defense, just like his pass defense, does not always translate to the box score. He flows to the ball and is willing to put his head down, take on a block and enable another player to make the tackle.
Ball Skills
For the third time in as many categories: Ignore what you see on the stat sheet. Alexander doesn't make many plays, but that has more to do with teams avoiding him than a deficiency in his game. Despite the fact that he's never intercepted a college pass, his ball skills are just fine. His recovery speed, in particular, allows him to get in position and make plays.
Overall
Alexander has been a pleasure to watch develop. Clemson took its time and let him heal through an injury two years ago, giving him a redshirt while his fellow 5-star classmates became stars, and that patience has worked out for both parties. He'll need to improve his technique (just a little) in man coverage, but everything else about Alexander screams No. 1 cornerback.
4. Adoree' Jackson, USC
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B/R Expert Scouting
"Very rarely can a player be elite at whatever position he chooses to line up. Jackson is that player. He can be a big-time NFL prospect at wide receiver if he sticks to that spot, but the same can be said about him as a corner."
—Michael Felder
Coverage
Adoree' Jackson is not a coverage specialist. That's not where he will make his living. But he still covers well enough to be trusted as a No. 1 cornerback, in large part because of his speed. Even if he's beaten, he can make up ground with the ball in the air and force an incompletion. His technique is not bad and should improve as he earns more defensive reps.
Run Defense
Jackson's game is more finesse than blue-collar, but he's not unwilling to bang. He has solid run-defense instincts and can chase plays down from behind or side-to-side. He needs to add more muscle (5'11", 185 lbs) to shed more blocks on the outside, but for the most part he gets the job done.
Ball Skills
Of the 250 players on this list, only one earned a perfect score in any category. That player is Jackson, and that category is ball skills. He's the most explosive college player since former Trojan Reggie Bush. Through 26 career games, he has five offensive touchdowns (all receiving), one defensive touchdown, two punt-return touchdowns and two kickoff-return touchdowns. And honestly, those numbers undersell him.
Overall
Watching Jackson play is breathtaking. It literally leaves you tired and gasping for air. He's a threat to score on any given play, and that includes when he lines up at cornerback. If he limits the big gains against him—a problem that has plagued USC's entire defense—he can take the next step from one of the 40 best players in college football to maybe the best.
3. Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He's just so sticky. He's frustrating for the offense because he always seems to be there. Vernon Hargreaves is a better pro prospect, but Lewis is the best cover corner I've seen play this year."
—Matt Miller
Coverage
Jourdan Lewis has been a revelation. His coverage grade ranks highest on this list, and it's not even all that close. Despite his lack of size (5'10", 176 lbs), he has the speed, technique and route-recognition to cause problems for all types of receivers. His one-on-one battle with Michigan State's Aaron Burbridge, when both players landed haymakers on the other, remains one of the season's best matchups.
Run Defense
Lewis chips in against the run and became more active as he grew more experienced. Bigger receivers can pin him on the edge, but he's quick enough and plays hard enough to typically slip past them. His 49 tackles through 12 games mark well for an undersized cornerback. Jim Harbaugh wouldn't play him if he didn't give his all on the ground.
Ball Skills
Lewis ranked No. 2 in the country with 21 passes defensed in the regular season. Two of those were interceptions, which speaks well to the acumen of his ball skills. He's not just sticky in coverage; he's athletic and coordinated enough to finish the play. That's what takes him from very good to special.
Overall
No player raised his stock this year more than Lewis. Considered a solid corner before the season, he took well to Harbaugh's and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin's coaching and emerged as an All-America candidate. He said he plans on returning next season, which makes sense considering his size limitations and the NFL's opinion thereof. He will be an early favorite to win the 2016 Jim Thorpe Award.
2. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"I know he's had a 'down year' playing corner, but I still think he's fantastic. He's just the total package: He's fast, he's instinctive and, in today's NFL, his versatility is so important. He's honestly a matchup nightmare."
—Matt Miller
Coverage
Jalen Ramsey has spent most of his career at safety, only returning to cornerback so Florida State could get its best combination of defensive backs on the field at once. The transition has been rocky at times, with regard to his coverage, but he still has lockdown traits and measurables (6'1", 202 lbs). He's been beaten by players who shouldn't beat him, but you'd still trust him on 4th-and-the-game against anyone.
Run Defense
Ramsey is a missile who as a safety played more like a linebacker and as a cornerback played more like a safety. His tackle total has shrunk, predictably, from 5.7 per game to 3.6 per game, but he's still one of the Seminoles' best run defenders. His strength on the edge is too much for untrained receivers to handle.
Ball Skills
Few college players create chaos as often as Ramsey. He always seems to be around the ball, which is true despite a low career interception rate (three in 40 games). His instincts result in clutch pass breakups, forced fumbles, batted passes and fumble recoveries. He's a playmaker in every sense of the word.
Overall
Ramsey was more productive at safety than at cornerback, but he's still the emotional leader of Florida State's defense. He's a once-in-a-generation athlete with the size, speed and instincts to play three different positions at an All-ACC level. He started and proved vital to the 2013 national championship team as a true freshman, and he's only gotten better since.
1. Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He's the best cornerback in the SEC, which I think he's proved in his three years there. Unfortunately for Florida, I think that's all they're gonna get..."
—Barrett Sallee
Coverage
Vernon Hargreaves III is one of the best pure cover corners in college football. He's a fluid athlete with long arms and a big enough frame (5'11", 192 lbs) to hang with No. 1 receivers. His technique in both man and zone is impeccable—the clear sign of a coach's son, which he is. You can throw him on an island and feel good about it.
Run Defense
Hargreaves is a capable run defender who doesn't mind throwing his body around. He fights off blocks on the outside and understands fundamental tackling. The numbers aren't great (only 26 tackles in 12 regular-season games), but he is always in the right spot and does a nice job funneling runs back inside. If he shores up the tackling a little bit, he can pump up this score even further.
Ball Skills
Smart teams throw away from Hargreaves, which is why his interception numbers—10 in three seasons—are less than remarkable. It has nothing to do with his ball skills, which are fine. He tracks the flight of the ball and can make plays in the air. Unless you're Amari Cooper, you have a slim chance of beating him on 50-50 throws.
Overall
Hargreaves will go down as one of the better defensive players of his time. He hasn't posted big enough numbers to go down as a "great," but his film puts him right near that description. Prior to the season, the biggest black mark on his resume was never having played for a good team. Fortunately, this year's Gators helped him fix that.
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