College Football Predictions: The 15 Next Prince Amukamara in College Football
With former Nebraska star Prince Amukamara about to become a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, it’s time to look ahead to where the next wave of shutdown corners will come from.
Amukamara, along with LSU’s Patrick Peterson, defined this year’s draft class with top-flight cover skills and a nose for the football. Which returning corners will be able to say the same next year?
Read on for a look at 15 cornerbacks set to be the nation’s best in 2011.
15. Omar Bolden, Arizona State
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With a schedule that features Missouri, USC, Oregon, Oregon State and Arizona, the Sun Devils’ secondary is in for a lot of action next season. Leading the way will be senior Omar Bolden, who notched three interceptions a year ago.
Arizona State returns nine starters on defense, so Bolden should have plenty of help. Don’t be surprised if he improves on his 2010 numbers next year.
14. Antonio Fenelus, Wisconsin
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Antonio Fenelus may see more balls thrown his way next year than most of the corners on this list, purely because his 5’9” frame invites bigger receivers to try to make plays against him in the air.
He won’t be complaining about the extra opportunities.
Fenelus already recorded a four-INT season last year, and has the toughness (56 tackles in 2010) to stay with bigger opponents. Expect quarterbacks to pay for trying to victimize him in 2011.
13. Coryell Judie, Texas A&M
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The loss of superstar pass rusher Von Miller to the NFL will put serious pressure on the Texas A&M secondary next season. Senior cornerback Coryell Judie will be the main man to shoulder that load.
Judie intercepted four passes last year, and the Aggies will need him to play big again in 2011 if they hope to repeat their surprising success from last year.
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12. Johnny Adams, Michigan State
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Michigan State’s secondary posted a brilliant TD-to-INT ratio of 18-17 in 2010. Three of those picks (and not many TDs) were the responsibility of All-Big Ten corner Johnny Adams.
As Adams heads into his senior year, the Spartans will be replacing three starters in the front seven. He’ll need to stand tall once again for Michigan State to follow up on last year’s impressive 11-2 finish.
11. Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
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At 6’1” and 210 lbs, Xavier Rhodes brings a physical presence to the cornerback position. He also brings the ball-hawking instincts that helped him pick off four passes last season as a redshirt freshman.
With nine starters returning, the Seminoles defense should be a force next year, and Rhodes could reap the benefits with a big season.
10. Shaun Prater, Iowa
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In a Big Ten Conference dominated by the ground game, a cornerback needs to help his team against the run just as much as the pass. Shaun Prater’s four INTs last year were valuable, but his 68 tackles were just as important to Iowa’s success.
Despite losing star pass rushers Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard, the Hawkeyes could surprise next season thanks to a favorable schedule that includes neither Ohio State nor Wisconsin. If Prater were to come through with another big year, that would be a big step in the right direction.
9. Keith Tandy, West Virginia
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With Pitt, UConn and Louisville all coming to Morgantown next season, West Virginia looks well-positioned to contend for a Big East title. For that to happen, a defense with seven new starters will need veteran leadership from returnees like All-Big East corner Keith Tandy.
Tandy, who will be a senior next season, intercepted six passes in 2010. He’ll need to play big again next year for the Mountaineers to challenge for a BCS berth.
8. Chase Minnifield, Virginia
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Chase Minnifield has had plenty of time to hear what a great NFL prospect former teammate Ras-I Dowling is. While Dowling battled injury last season, it was Minnifield who carried the Virginia secondary, amassing six interceptions and a sack in 2010.
Minnifield, the son of former NFL corner Frank Minnifield, will be the Cavaliers’ main man in 2011. Expect him to put up another strong year as he builds his own NFL draft portfolio.
7. Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
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There may not be a defensive back in the country with more to live up to in 2011 than Jayron Hosley. A year ago, Hosley pulled in a staggering nine interceptions in 14 games.
Hosley isn’t going to catch anyone by surprise this time around, so he’s unlikely to match his 2010 numbers next season. Even if his stats return to earth, though, his ball skills will make him one of the most dangerous corners around.
6. Janoris Jenkins, Florida
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The Gators lost five of last season’s starters on defense, and it could easily have been six. Janoris Jenkins, despite being projected as high as a first-round draft choice, decided to return for his senior year in Gainesville.
Jenkins, entering his fourth year as a starter, picked off three passes a season ago. He should help make new coach Will Muschamp’s first year in the top job a little bit easier.
5. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
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One of the most complete defensive backs in the country next year will be South Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore. A fine cover man who had three interceptions last year, Gilmore garnered more attention for the other ways in which he could help his team.
Gilmore is an outstanding run defender who accumulated a remarkable 79 tackles last year, including six tackles for loss. He’s also dangerous on the blitz, having recorded three sacks in 2010.
4. Cliff Harris, Oregon
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Cliff Harris’ game-breaking skills as a punt returner—four TDs in 2010—make it easy to overlook how talented he is in his “real” position. Even so, the six interceptions Harris logged a year ago leave little doubt that he’s a legitimate threat at corner.
With Oregon’s mighty offense likely to be steamrolling the opposition again next season, the defense will face a steady diet of passes. Harris should again have plenty of opportunity to show off his ball skills in 2011.
3. Morris Claiborne, LSU
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Playing opposite the country’s top DB in Patrick Peterson, Morris Claiborne was bound to get a lot of balls thrown at him in 2010. Claiborne stepped up, notching a team-high five INTs
Claiborne might not see quite as much action next year, but with a stacked Tigers defense around him (including CB Tyrann Mathieu, who had two picks as a true freshman last year) he’ll still get his chance to shine.
2. Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
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Fittingly, one of Prince Amukamara’s top successors is Amukamara’s old teammate, Alfonzo Dennard. Dennard saw plenty of action last season opposite the Huskers’ star, finishing with seven passes defensed and four interceptions.
Like Claiborne, he just spent a year learning from one of the best in the country, and to all appearances is ready to step into the top job next season.
1. Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
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One star among many on a veteran Alabama defense, Dre Kirkpatrick will have a chance to prove he’s the best cornerback in college football in 2011. His three interceptions last year aren’t eye-popping, but his physical tools put him in position to dominate in the secondary.
At 6’3”, Kirkpatrick will have a height advantage on many WRs, and can negate the jump-ball plays that some bigger wideouts live on. His sub-4.5 speed in the 40 doesn’t exactly hurt, either.
Expect Kirkpatrick to shine in what should be the country’s best secondary in 2011.
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