LSU Football: Top 5 Cornerbacks of the Past Decade

In the past decade, LSU has produced some of college football's best cornerbacks.

From recent greats to past greats, these are the cornerbacks that have made a lasting impact at LSU. Recent cornerbacks like Tyrann Mathieu, Mo Claiborne and Patrick Peterson were remarkable, but which cornerback was the best?

Judging them strictly by what they've accomplished at LSU and not by their draft stock in the NFL, these are the top five best cornerbacks at LSU in the past decade.

5. Travis Daniels

At LSU, Travis Daniels and Corey Webster combined to make one of the best cornerback combinations in the country.

Daniels was a huge factor in helping the Tigers win a national championship in 2003, as he set a school record that season for most pass breakups with 25.

He had two interceptions that season, and after a great career with the Tigers, he moved on to play professional football with the Miami Dolphins.

Daniels might have been overlooked because of Webster, but he was a fantastic lockdown corner for the Tigers.

4. Corey Webster

Corey Webster was a great cover corner that made you pay for arid throws.

Webster was a first-team All-American at LSU in 2003 and 2004, and he had a knack for making some of the most athletic interceptions you'll ever see.

Webster had 16 total interceptions in his career at LSU, and he ranks second on the all-time interceptions list in LSU history.

Webster's interception against Georgia in the regular season of 2003 and his interception against Oklahoma in the 2003 BCS National Championship Game are a perfect summary of his career at LSU.

If the pass was just a little off target, it was going to get picked off.

3. Mo Claiborne

Mo Claiborne was overshadowed by Patrick Peterson in 2010, but in 2011, he put the nation on notice with his incredible coverage skills.

Claiborne was a first-team All-American, and he won the 2011 Jim Thorpe Award for his efforts. His year consisted of six interceptions, and he led the nation in interception return yardage.

He also had a kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia. With his long arms, Claiborne showcased a long range for picking off passes. In his career at LSU, he accounted for 12 pass breakups and 11 interceptions.

Claiborne was an incredible game-changer for the Tigers in 2011, and they will have their hands full trying to replace him next season.

2. Tyrann Mathieu

I've never seen a player with more natural instincts that Tyrann Mathieu.

Is he a shut-down corner? No, but he's always causing havoc around the football and forcing turnovers. In his 25 career games with LSU, he's generated 14 turnovers, and he already owns the school record for most forced fumbles with 11.

It was amazing to see a man of his size and stature have such an impact on the game, and that led to him garnering the Honey Badger nickname.

In 2011, Mathieu not only showcased his ball-hawking skills on the field, but he showed that he was an electrifying return man as well. He ranked second in the nation in punt return average with 16.2, and in the SEC championship game against Georgia, he had some thrilling returns, with one of them resulting in a touchdown.

When things are going wrong for the Tigers, Mathieu is always there to pick his team up and make a big play, and for that, he was recognized as a Heisman finalist in 2011.

It's pretty scary that he's only spent two seasons with LSU. If he keeps up his production, he could be recognized as one of the greatest college football players of all time.

1. Patrick Peterson

I love what Claiborne and Mathieu did for the Tigers last season, but Patrick Peterson shut receivers down.

Hardly any quarterback would throw his way, because Peterson wouldn't allow the receiver any separation, and they knew he had the athletic ability to intercept the pass.

Peterson finished his career at LSU with 135 tackles, 22 pass breakups and seven interceptions. He scored touchdowns off of interceptions, field goal blocks and returned them as well. Much like Mathieu was in 2011, Peterson was an electrifying return man, and he immediately showcased his return skills in his rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals.

Peterson won numerous awards with the Tigers, and his most notable award was winning the 2010 Bednarik Award, which goes out to the nation's top defender.

His Heisman pose after a brilliant punt return touchdown against West Virginia will always have a special place in Tiger fans' hearts.