College Football Recruiting 2011: Ranking The Top 50 Defensive Backs

There used to be a saying that went, "defensive backs are nothing more than receivers who can't catch." While in the past that may have been true occasionally, it is not the case anymore.

Defensive backs are becoming more and more technically sound on the high school level and this year's class is strong in both safety and cornerback positions.

Let's the rank the top 50 defensive backs in the country!

50. Howard Matthews, S

Commitment: Texas A&M

Matthews plays both wide receiver and safety at the high school level, but his instincts and play-making ability are perfect for the safety position and that's where scouts see him lining up in college.

He's got great speed, can cover a lot of ground very quickly and has excellent burst out of his breaks.

A leader in the secondary, Matthews is a student of the game who reads offenses very well and anticipates plays. 

49. Tyson Coleman, S

Commitment: Oregon

At 6'2" and 205 lbs, Coleman has excellent size for the position, but as far as his skill set at safety goes, he's raw.

A great athlete who plays both running back and free safety in high school, Coleman plays with great intensity and toughness.

He knows how to deliver the big hit and he has the size and speed to be a special prospect at the position, but his fundamentals need to be re-worked. 

48. Terrell Chestnut, CB

Commitment: Pitt

Chestnut plays quarterback for his high school team, but scouts are projecting him to a wide range of positions, from wide receiver to cornerback and safety. 

He's got great top end speed and moves extremely well in the secondary, but might be better suited for cornerback based on his size. At the very least, he's got the makings of a dangerous return man. 

47. Delonte Hollowell, CB

Commitment: Michigan

For a cornerback listed at 5'8" and 168 lbs, Hollowell is a physical and aggressive player who will throw his body around to make a play. 

He plays with sound technique, moves well, positions well, recovers well, pretty much does a solid all-around job at the position. But his size is a real issue. 

46. David Jenkins, S

Commitment: LSU

Jenkins is projected as both a top 25 safety and cornerback on the next level, but plays most of his time at safety in high school. 

At 6'1" and 190 lbs he's got the size and athleticism for both positions and it'll likely come down to where LSU needs him to line up more. 

45. Senquez Golson, CB

Commitment: Mississippi

Golson is a versatile athlete that lines up at cornerback, wide receiver and running back for his high school team, but scouts agree his future is on the defensive side of the ball.

His ball skills and instincts are really impressive. Golson is the type of player who switches from cornerback to receiver when the ball is in the air. 

44. Valdez Showers, CB

Commitment: Florida

Valdez Showers is a top 10 cornerback on Scout, but doesn't crack the top 30 at the position on Rivals.

He's got great instincts and cover skills, but needs to work on his tackling and run support to be effective on the next level.

43. Jermaine Whitehead, S

Commitment: Mississippi State

Whitehead is a do-it-all player at the high school level. As a junior he had over 1,500 all-purpose yards at quarterback, 32 tackles, three interceptions, and five forced fumbles. 

This year he's lining up at wide receiver, running back and cornerback, making plays at all three positions. He's one of the top prospects in Mississippi. 

42. Sheldon Royster, S

Commitment: Uncommitted

Royster is primarily a running back at the high school level, but doubles up as a safety as well and that's where scouts see his future being the brightest. 

He's a physical player who's shown a willingness to make contact and play with a tough-nosed style.

He doesn't quite have the speed or change-of-direction ability to play running back in college, but his skill set should translate well to the secondary. 

41. DerJuan Gambrell, CB

Commitment: Ohio State

Gambrell is a super athletic prospect who has potential to shine on both sides of the field on the next level. 

He hits hard, has great instincts and has a knack for making plays wherever he lines up. 

40. Pat Martin, S

Commitment: Tennessee

Martin has a compact-but-strong build, and will remind fans more of a linebacker than a defensive back; especially when the ball is in the air and he's free to attack.

Martin craves contact, reads plays very quickly and is excellent in pursuit of the ball; he should excel in kick coverage.

He needs to work on his coverage skills to really make an impact on the next level, but the basics are there. 

39. James Sample, S

Commitment: Washington

Sample is a strong safety all the way. He's got great size and plays with the type of mean streak you love to see at the position. 

He does a great job of keeping the action in front of him and lining up the ball-carrier for a big hit; he takes great pursuit angles and has excellent closing speed.

His coverage skills are lacking, though, and will need some work. 

38. Malcolm Mitchell, CB

Commitment: Uncommitted

Mitchell is one of the most intriguing prospects at the position in the 2011 class. He's an elite athlete who moves really well and has ideal size at 6'1" and 190 lbs. 

But Mitchell is still very raw and and needs a lot of practice reps to fine tune his skills before he can make an impact. 

37. Ronny Vandyke, S

Commitment: Virginia Tech

Vandyke missed his entire junior season with a serious shoulder injury suffered in training camp back in 2009 and ended up going nearly two years without playing.

Still, the first commitment of Virginia Tech's 2011 recruiting class might turn out to be a steal at the safety position.

Because of his injury, Vandyke came into his senior year under the radar and at 6'2" and 200 lbs, he's got incredible size and athleticism and could be an elite talent at the next level. 

36. Nick Marshall, CB

Commitment: Georgia

Having Marshall ranked as the No. 18 cornerback might be slighting him a bit based on his exceptional athletic ability and ball control. 

But Marshall lines up almost exclusively at quarterback in high school and has a skill-set strong enough to continue there in college. Georgia wants him in it's secondary though and that will be where he gets his first shot. 

35. Kelvin Fisher, CB

Commitment: Arkansas

Primarily being recruited as an athlete, Fisher is one of those rare prospects that projects as a high level recruit at four or five positions.

A very versatile player that's lined up at running back, wide receiver, cornerback and safety, Fisher is simply a ball hawk in the secondary who isn't afraid to make contact, and will get up in the air and make something happen when the ball is thrown. 

34. Jabriel Washington, CB

Commitment: Alabama

Washington has a ton of potential but definitely falls into the raw category; this one will be a bit of a project for Nick Saban and his staff.

He moves very well and has great hips and change-of-direction ability. His time at receiver has helped him attack the ball at its highest point, which well be huge for him down the line.

33. Blake Countess, CB

Commitment: Michigan

Countless is an aggressive and physical corner who tackles well and does a solid job in run support as well as generally blanketing his receiver in coverage.

At 5'11" and 171 lbs, his style will get him injured in college in a hurry if he doesn't bulk up significantly. 

32. Dondi Kirby, S

Commitment: Illinois

At 6'3" and 190 lbs, if Kirby can bulk up a little he has the size and athleticism to be an elite talent at the safety position.

He lines up at wide receiver and cornerback back in high school, with a few reps at safety as well. He's a smooth runner with great ball skills, but doesn't have the top-end speed you'd want from a receiver; the move full time to safety seems like the best bet. 

31. Floyd Raven, CB

Commitment: Uncommitted

Raven is a big corner who can match up with bigger receivers with his 6'2", 180 pound frame. He has long arms and length to press at the line of scrimmage and leaping ability to high-point balls.

He needs to get stronger in his press and re-route ability. Raven also must gain bulk to help him facor against the run. He committedto Ole Miss but has since re-opened his recruitment.

30. Cortez Davis, S

Commitment: Clemson

At 6'3" and 200 lbs, the first thing you notice about Davis is how smoothly he runs. A long strider with a quick burst, Davis has the athleticism to take gambles without giving up the big play based on his ability to close out on his man in a hurry. 

There are some technique issues to be worked out, particularly when it comes to tackling; he has a tendency to tackle high that will get him into a lot of trouble at the next level. Don't be surprised if Davis ends up on the offensive side of the ball as a result. 

29. Frank Shannon, S

Commitment: Oklahoma 

Shannon has tremendous range for his size. At 6'3" and 205 lbs, he can play center field or cover from sideline to sideline depending on the scheme; there might not be any safety in the class that can cover more distance in the secondary.

His tackling and pursuit skills are solid and he's displayed a good nose for the ball as well. Shannon is the type of player you can just let loose in the secondary. 

28. Ron Tanner, S

Commitment: Ohio State

Tanner has great tackling ability and coverage skills that make him a prime candidate for the strong safety position. 

He plays off his instincts and does a great job of lining himself up for the big hit. As far as his coverage skills go, Tanner's back-peddling and change-of-direction ability need work or he could get into trouble. 

27. Tevin Mitchel, CB

Commitment: Arkansas

Mitchel is ranked as the No. 6 cornerback on Rivals, but drops down to No. 20 on Scout. Usually when there's that kind of disparity, someone sees something someone else doesn't. 

In Mitchel's case, he got off to a slow start last season and didn't really pick up steam until over the summer and at the beginning of his senior season. At the rate he's improving, Mitchel looks more and more like a top 10 cornerback every day. 

26. Avery Walls, S

Commitment: California

Walls is one of the hardest hitters in the 2011 class, but often times will play too aggressively and over pursue, leaving him susceptible to big plays.

He's a smart player who reads the offense in a hurry and does an excellent job of lining up the secondary.

An undersized player that needs to bulk up, look for Walls to make a very quick impact on special teams. 

25. Charles Jackson, S

Commitment: Nebraska

Jackson needs to bulk up a bit, but he's got the height and long arms that scouts drool over. Not too mention his hip movement and quick feet are really impressive.

He's got a knack for big plays and plays with really strong instincts, but can play overly-aggressive some times and get himself into trouble.

24. Eilar Hardy, S

Commitment: Notre Dame

Hardy is a great all-around safety who excels against both the pass and the run. He's not a big hitter, but he isn't afraid to come up to the line and lay out the ball-carrier when the opportunity presents itself. 

His tackling form needs work, though, and a redshirt year to bulk up and work on his technique probably isn't a bad idea. 

23. Corey Moore, CB

Commitment: Georgia 

Moore is a raw prospect, but he's got all the intangibles to be a superstar at the next level and it will only take time and repetitions for him to realize it. 

His speed, toughness, ball skills, movement and instincts are incredible, but he struggles to understand coverage schemes and gets caught thinking too much at times. 

22. Glen Faulkner, S

Commitment: Kentucky

Faulkner plays both defensive back and quarterback in high school, but scouts project him as a safety at the next level based on his size and athletic ability.

He needs to work on his coverage skills and learn to tackle with better form, but the intangibles are there and Faulkner has the potential to be one of the best safeties of the 2011 class. 

21. Darion Arrington, S

Commitment: Mississippi State

Arrington is a hard-working, hustle guy who plays all out and leads by example on the field. He is a natural at safety and should quickly adjust to the college game.

He's got great size, is a great tackler and a very athletic and physical player who knows how to throw his weight around.

Arrington's ball skills aren't great, though, and he needs to improve his hands to make a bigger impact on the next level.

20. Wayne Lyons, S

Commitment: Stanford

Lyons will need to work on his backpedal and man-to-man coverage skills but the tools are there for him to develop into an outstanding play-maker. He's got a great pair of hands and is a very smart football player.

He is a true quarterback of the secondary and will get his troops lined up quickly, calling out adjustments like someone born to play this position.

19. Demetrious Nicholson, CB

Commitment: Virginia

Nicholson is a playmaker with a great set of hands. He moves well and has great closing speed, but gambles a lot and needs to play more in control..

He also struggles when it comes to run support and tackling and that has a lot to do with his small frame. Nicholson could probably use a redshirt year while he bulks up and learns the position. 

18. Gerrod Holliman, S

Commitment: Louisville

Gerrod Holliman is one of the top players from the state of Florida and arguably the best defensive player from Miami, a historic hotspot of defensive talent.

His natural ability and instincts could turn him into an NFL star one day. He's a competitor through and through, but his coverage skills are a bit raw and need work. 

17. Nick Waisome, CB

Commitment: Florida State

Waisome would have joined by Valdez Showers to form a solid duo of 4-star cornerbacks for the Gators. But in the middle of the recruiting cycle, he opted to cross over and join Florida State instead.

Waisome is ranked as the No. 8 cornerback on Scout and the No. 11 cornerback on Rivals. He and Showers have the potential to be a scary pair, but if you had to chose one to hitch your wagon to, it's Waisome. 

16. Damian Swann, CB

Commitment: Georgia

Swann is a very athletic defender who plays receiver and safety, with some time at cornerback as well, but he projects as a defensive player at the next level.

His athleticism is off the charts, and there is potential for him to develop into a truly special talent, but he needs to work on his technique to be successful; his footwork and coverage reads are still very raw.

15. Sheroid Evans, CB

Commitment: Texas

Evans is one of the top track stars in the country and has incredible speed on the football field. He tackles well and has the length and speed to play either corner or safety. Evans isn't afraid of contact, but his frame won't hold up to his playing style unless he gets bigger.

Still, there aren't many prospects out there with his level of natural ability when it comes to coverage skills and lateral movement.

14. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB

Commitment: Oregon

Ekpre-Olomu is a physical corner that craves contact and hits with a ton of force. He's got the size to play safety and the speed and athleticism to develop into one of the top cornerbacks in the nation.

He's got a great ball skills and instincts, but his change-of-direction ability and quickness when adjusting could become issues if he doesn't work on it. 

13. Quandre Diggs, CB

Commitment: Texas

Diggs is an exceptional athlete with lights out speed. He runs like a track star and has some of the best acceleration of any prospect of the 2011 class.

He plays quarterback, running back, receiver and cornerback, but based on his size and skill set, lining up as a scat back, wideout, or corner is the most likely scenario.

12. Albert Louis Jean, S

Commitment: Boston College

Louis-Jean is best known for his ability to land a big hit and he's the type of player that's just waiting to put an opponent to rest. 

His coverage skills are as good as anyone and his speed is truly elite. He has the potential to be a star at either cornerback or safety, but based on his tackling ability, he seems best suited for the safety position. 

11. Marcus Roberson, CB

Commitment: Uncommitted

Roberson is ranked as the No. 2 cornerback on Rivals and the No. 13 safety on Scout. He plays with exceptional confidence and has really great closing speed and range. 

That's why some scouts see him as an elite safety, but Roberson insists that he wants to play cornerback and could be a real force in the right system based on his size advantage and aggressiveness. 

10. Marqise Lee, S

Commitment: Uncommitted

Lee projects as a wide receiver, safety or cornerback and while we see him as a safety, it wouldn't be surprising to see him turn into a dangerous receiver. 

If you get the ball in his hands in the open field, he's a threat to take it to the house, but his instincts and ball skills make him a potential difference-maker at the next level. 

9. Stefan McClure, CB

Commitment: Uncommitted

McClure might not have the speed to be effective at cornerback at the next level and could wind up making a switch to safety.

But he's got such great timing and positioning to make up for it that it wouldn't be surprising to see him overcome the odds; there might not be anyone better at making a play once the ball is in the air. 

8. Josh Turner, CB

Commitment: Texas

Turner is another great addition to the Longhorns' secondary. He's a great all-around corner with a great pair of hands and solid football instinct.

He is the No. 2 CB on Rivals and the No. 4 CB on Scout. He and Leroy Scott should form a dominating tag team on the outside and it really is hard to decide who's the better of the two.

7. Leroy Scott, CB

Commitment: Texas

He's one of those rare players that's looked like a man among boys since he was freshman in high school. At 5'10" and 190 lbs, he's a very physical player who tackles well and is always on the lookout to land a big hit.

His coverage skills are probably the top in the country. He glues himself to his receiver and has great instincts when it comes to jumping in front of his man and making a play for the ball.

6. Erique Florence, S

Commitment: Uncommitted

A top five safety in the 2011 class, Florence is a very instinctual player who can really put a licking on a ball-carrier. He's got solid form when tackling and often angles himself for the big hit, which is probably the most noticeable part of his game.

Florence always finds himself around the ball and when it's in the air near him, he's trying to make a play on it every time.

5. DeAnthony Thomas, CB

Commitment: USC

Thomas has the potential to play any number of positions, from running back to cornerback, safety, and even linebacker.

Most experts agree he'd be a 5-star prospect regardless of the tag put on him. If he wasn't listed at 5'9" and 160 lbs, Thomas would most likely be the top prospect in the country, but even at his size, he has the tools to be a star wherever he lines up. 

4. Jonathan Rose, CB

Commitment: Auburn

Rose is a solid tackler with great ball skills. He's one of the best cover corners in the class and moves so fluidly on the field that he just makes it look easy.

He's also a dangerous return man with the potential to find playing time immediately on special teams. If he's not going to redshirt, he needs to bulk up a lot. 

3. HaSean Clinton-Dix, S

Commitment: Alabama

Clinton-Dix is an elite prospect who really has an ideal skill set for a safety. There's almost nothing about his game not to like, except for some minor footwork issues.

He is the type of player that craves contact, and really could succeed as either a strong safety or free safety. Based on his size, 6'2" and 190 lbs, if he can define his man-to-man coverage skills a bit, he could develop into a once-in-a-lifetime-type of cover corner.

He seems pretty solid to 'Bama, but he has also kept an eye on LSU.

2. Doran Grant, CB

Commitment: Ohio State

Grant is the best cornerback prospect in the country, rated No. 1 by Rivals and No. 2 by Scout. He's even better than advertised and definitely fits the bill at a generous 5'10" and 175 lbs.

He's lighting-fast, tests off the charts athletically, tackles with a lot of power, and has a great nose for the ball.

1. Karlos Williams, S

Commitment: Florida State

Karlos Williams isn't your average safety. He's built like a linebacker and could easily end up there based on his tackling ability and size. He's also got a great pair of hands and enough speed that it makes you wonder if this 6'2", 210 lb prospect could be a dominant receiver.

Williams plays the game with passion and when he's roaming in the secondary, he's looking to put a licking on the ball-carrier every single play.