The Dope 10: College CornerbacksAugust 28, 2012
by: The QB, CJ Oates
To me a definition of a true cornerback is someone who will shut down the opposition’s best receiver and they happen to be ballhawks (either intercepting or deflecting balls). If you are a quarterback and you are looking at this list, I would not test these guys. Here are the most dope cornerbacks for the 2012 college football season.
*Tyrann Matheiu*
Did you think I would not include this guy somewhere on this list. I know he will not be participating this season but he is by far the definition of a playmaker. He may not be the lockdown corner like Morris Claiborne was last season. He might not even have the “measurables” that NFL scouts drool over but he has the heart, passion, and will that you cannot coach.
*Greg Reid
Another guy exactly like Tyrann. Undersized skill playmaker that plays corner. He has the heart and does not back down from anything. If you need proof see Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Reid just needs to mature or at least contain himself when it comes to off the field issues.
1.David Amerson
Thirteen interceptions. Amerson had four multi-interception games last season and returned two picks for touchdowns. Amerson size for a defensive back is unfair at 6-3, 194 pounds. Thanks to that body frame, he can be effective in the tackling department as he had 59 on the season. Do not look for him to repeat his 13 interception performance but still look for him to make plays and show that last season was not a fluke.
2.Johnthan Banks
Arguably the best at his position overall. Banks does it all and we really mean everything. Banks had 71 tackles with 8 tackles which were for a loss. Not only that he got to the quarterback with 3 sacks. His covering skills led to five interceptions. If you add the returned 16 punts for 166 yards and his three INT TD returns, sounds like the complete package. The only reason why he is not listed number one is because you have to respect what the guy at number 1 did last season.
3.Merrill Noel
Most people did not know about this guy but the Pahokee native, had a great redshirt freshman season. Noel led the nation with 21 pass breakups. Not only did he do well in defending the passing game but his tackling ability was just as good. Look for a bit more of those breakups this season to be interceptions. As long as he keeps improving, amerson won’t be the only guy in the ACC that quarterbacks will fear.
4.Nickell Robey
Robey is one of the smallest out of all of these guys but do not let the size fool you. You can ask receiver Floyd and quarterback Luck about that. Robey has 111 tackles over the last two years. Not only is he a shutdown corner but he return kicks as well. Robey is on the Jim Thorpe, Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik Preseason watch lists as well.
5.Kyle Fuller
Personally when I see a cornerback with stats like 4.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss overall, you know he is not afraid to come up and make the tackle. He won’t have any ball hawking ability like the guys mentioned above him but he is still a factor you have to account for.
6.DeMontre Hurst
Some people may think this is too high but you will see this season that it may be too low. He might be listed as a little undersized but his athletic ability and his sure tackling makes up for that. He does a really good job at support when it comes to the run. He will not have the stats to make your mouth drop but he is a solid top 10 corner.
7.Xavier Rhodes
A linebacker build with speed like a corner. Scary for any wideout that has to line up against him. With Greg Reid being dismissed from the team, the spotlight is solely on Rhodes to shine.
8.Quandre Diggs
As a freshman, Diggs stepped onto the scene with four interceptions last season. Not only that but he did that while making 51 tackles and breaking up 15 passes. He was a special freshman last season and with his partners returning, look for Diggs to be a shutdown corner and one of the top 4 corners by the end of the season.
9.Johnny Adams
Adams has been tabbed as the top defensive back in the Big Ten and the league’s “Best Cover Corner”. He might not have the stats as some of these other guys on the list but it’s because quarterbacks really stay away from this guy. Look for improved stats from this fifth year senior.
10.Dee Milliner
Milliner had nine pass breakups and 12 deflections to go along with his three interceptions. He has the size at 6’1” 200 so if he puts up good stats, he will be the next top defensive back from Bama.
