1. McKinstry, Kool-Aid*
Alabama 6010 185
Three year starter, Birmingham, AL. First team All-SEC and PFF first team All-America in 2022. Ideal size and athletic skill for a corner. Has experience in multiple coverage while excelling as a press corner. Fluid easy movement allows him to mirror route breaks and quickly plant and close with the ball in the air. Can be physical at the line with an off-hand jam while ignoring first move away from leverage. As a zone defender has a feel for spacing and balancing routes in overlapping zones. Has the speed to stay in phase on vertical routes. Excels as a hard corner getting under deep throws and breaking on balls in the flat. Gets to a lot of balls with a knack for undercutting a route and getting a hand to the catch point. Has been extremely productive breaking up passes. Can let a receiver get up on his toes in off coverage at times and shows occasional hesitation on turn and run creating separation. Outstanding recovery speed usually compensates. As a bonus he has been one of the best punt returners in the country.
2. Newton, Josh
TCU 5107 189
Two year starter, Monroe, LA. Transferred from Louisiana Monroe where he started for three seasons. First team All-Big 12 in 2022. Has the desired attributes of a number one corner. Has experience in zone and man schemes including hard corner and deep outside concepts. Solid mirror ability in both press and off-man. His fluid hips allow him adjust to receiver’s tempo and easily turn and run. Rarely gives up leverage off the line with excellent mirror ability. Used often as a press corner he can stick a release with an off-hand jam. Has the speed to stay in phase on vertical routes and can locate the ball. He will show an occasional whiff on the ball in phase but wins most battles for the ball. Shows a quick break and drive with the ball in the air and has been extremely productive getting his hands to the catch point. Not the most physical tackler. Will stop on contact and rely on wrapping and holding on. Has had some misses in space. Overall a productive cover corner.
3. DeJean, Cooper*
Iowa 6010 207
Two year starter, Odebolt, IA. Second team All-Big 10 in 2022. Broke out in 2022 with five interceptions, three returned for touchdowns. Versatile player with experience at safety and nickel. Has desirable size for a corner or safety. Experienced in multiple coverage schemes. At his best in off coverage but also has been effective in press and press and bail concepts. He shows a deliberate pedal and usually maintains cushion and times transitioning to lateral and turn and run. In press he flashes an off-hand jam to disrupt release. Solid short area agility he shows excellent instincts in zone coverage. Adept at hard corner technique. Balances multiple receivers in overlapping zones and is sudden to break with the ball in the air. Remarkable ball skills he anticipates the throw with vision to read the delivery key and ability to high point the ball. Gets to the catch point and wins most 50/50 battles. Somewhat segmented pedal causes him to be late in transition at times. As a result he will give up leverage putting him in recovery mode. Will be scheme dependant and could project to safety. Return skill a plus.
4. Burke, Denzel*
Ohio State 6010 190
Three year starter, Phoenix, AZ. Freshman All-America in 2021. Has been a starter since his first game as a freshman in 2021. Battled through injuries in 2022 while starting eleven games. Has ideal size, speed and a physical presence on the field. Experienced in multiple coverage he is equally skilled in man and zone concepts. As a zone defender, balances multiple routes and closes voids quickly in overlapping zones. Sees the quarterback and route progressions and is sudden to break with the ball in the air. As a man defender keeps his focus on the receiver and shows fluid movements reacting to route breaks. Easy turn and run he times transitions to stay in phase up the field. Usually plays a soft press in man coverage and has solid mirror skill. Can get a little grabby at times if beaten. Solid in run support he can take on stalk blocks and rarely misses tackles. Has had some trouble locating the ball in phase and ball production has been lacking. That said, he’s shown improvement in playing the ball in the early going in 2023.
5. King, Kalen*
Penn State 5110 185
Two year starter, Detroit, MI. Third team All-Big 10 in 2022. Highly productive corner with excellent ball skills. Has been primarily a field corner with experience in multiple coverage. Has been a dominant player at times. In press he rarely gives up leverage and shows eye discipline keeping his focus on the receiver. Smooth movement with solid footwork in most transitions. In off coverage he often plays with a big cushion but is sudden reacting with the ball in the air. Solid zone defender showing ability to balance multiple routes and close voids in zones. Has a knack for reading the delivery key and breaking on the ball. Led the Big 10 in pass breaks with 21 in 2022. Consistent to get to the catch point. Excellent in run support he can defeat stalk blocks and gathers and drives through tackles. Takes solid pursuit angles and rarely misses a tackle. Can get a little tall in his pedal at times causing a slight stall in his reactions. Has had some trouble with elite receiver speed in press man.Prone to holding and interference calls.
6. Wiggins, Nate*
Clemson 6020 185
7. Terrion, Arnold*
Alabama 6000 196
8. James, DJ
Auburn 6000 185
9. Carson, Caelen
Wake Forest 6000 185
10. Tampa, TJ
Iowa State 6010 198
11. Marshall Jr, Jason
Florida 6010 203
12. Mitchell, Quinyon
Toledo 6000 199
13. Jackson, Khyree
Oregon 6030 195
14. Lassiter, Kamari
Georgia 6000 180
15. Richardson, Decamerion
Mississippi State 6022 193
16. Pritchett, Nehemiah
Auburn 6010 183
17. Melton, Max
Rutgers 6000 190
18. Phillips, Andru
Kentucky 5105 183
19. Hart, Cam
Notre Dame 6025 198
20. Vaughn Zemaiah
Utah 6021 175
21. Torrence, Ro
Arizona State 6031 195
22. Scott, Keionte
Auburn 5103 186
23. Abrams-Draine, Kris*
Missouri 5103 176
24. Alexander, Zy
LSU 6010 185
25. Prince, Deantre
Mississippi 6001 187
26. Brownlee, Jarvis
Louisville 5110 175
27. Devonshire, MJ
Pittsburgh 5111 179
28. Cypress ll, Fentrell
Florida State 5115 181
29. Sainstril, Mike
Michigan 5091 181
30. Dial, Marcellas
South Carolina 5116 195
31. McGlothern, Dwight
Arkansas 6015
32. Dixon, John
Penn State 5113 195
33. Hadden, Kamal
Tennessee 6011 195
34. Still, Tarheeb
Maryland 5117 190
35. DeBerry, Josh
Texas A&M 5110 181
36. Hill, Jaydon
Florida 5117 188
*Denotes Underclassman