Category rankings: Cornerbacks
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The Rivals.com recruiting experts have broken down countless hours of film and racked up plenty of frequent flyer miles to see the top prospects compete at events across the country. In the process of evaluating overall talent, several prospects gained notice for their mastery of specific skills.
We've selected the best of the best in each category for every position and ranked them. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every breaks down the cornerbacks.
Coming Next: Tight ends
FASTEST
5. AVERY GRAHAM, Clarksburg (Md.) High
COMMITMENT: Maryland
PARTICULARS: 5-10/183
THE BUZZ: Ran 55 meters in 6.49 seconds at indoor track meet.
Green highlightsClick 4. JUSTIN GREEN, Louisville (Ky.) Male Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Ohio State
PARTICULARS: 5-11/178
THE BUZZ: Ran 10.67 100 meters as a sophomore to win the Kentucky state championship.
Hunter highlightsClick 3. D.J. HUNTER, Middletown (Ohio) High Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-0/196
THE BUZZ: As a freshman, was timed at 4.35 in the 40 and also has run a 10.5 100 meters.
Gordon highlightsClick 2. DAVID GORDON, Tulsa (Okla.) East Central Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-11/161
THE BUZZ: Has been timed at 10.5 in the 100 meters and 21.4 in the 200 meters.
Smith highlightsClick 1. BRANDEN SMITH, Atlanta Washington Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-11/171
THE BUZZ: Ran a 10.56 at the Georgia track championships.
OTHERS: Dominic Clarke, Fredrick (Md.) Tuscarora (Ohio State commitment); Jordan Love, Glen Allen (Va.) Deep Run; Gabe Lynn, Jenks (Okla.) High; Brandon Sermons, Pomona (Calif.) Diamond Ranch; Darius Winston, West Helena (Ark.) Central.
BEST BALL SKILLS
Jackson highlightsClick 5. JANZEN JACKSON, Lake Charles (La.) Barbe Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: LSU
PARTICULARS: 6-0/174
THE BUZZ: Recorded five interceptions and also was one of his team's top targets on offense last season.
Davis highlightsClick 4. MARCUS DAVIS, League City (Texas) Clear Creek Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-0/193
THE BUZZ: Has eight picks over the past two seasons and has returned three kicks for TDs.
Carter highlightsClick 3. MICHAEL CARTER, Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-11/154
THE BUZZ: Baseball star had great performance at Miami Nike Camp and recorded seven picks last season.
Kirkpatrick highlightsClick 2. DRE KIRKPATRICK, Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-2/180
THE BUZZ: Big corner has 11 interceptions over the past two years.
Shankle highlightsClick 1. TERRY SHANKLE, Norwood (N.C.) South Stanly Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-10/167
THE BUZZ: Has an amazing 15 picks and 47 receptions last year.
OTHERS: Bernard Bolden, Merced (Calif.) High; Eric Gordon, Nashville (Tenn.) Hillsboro; Cliff Harris, Fresno (Calif.) Edison; Travis Hawkins, Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard; Jayron Hosley, Delray Beach (Fla.) Atlantic.
BEST COVERAGE SKILLS
Richardson highlightsClick 5. SHELDON PRICE, La Puente (Calif.) Bishop Amat Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: UCLA
PARTICULARS: 6-2/155
THE BUZZ: Long arms and good hips helped him earn MVP honors at the Los Angeles Nike Camp.
4. MARCUS TRICE, Mesquite (Texas) High
Trice highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-8/167
THE BUZZ: Showed hips on a swivel at the Ft. Worth Nike camp, along with an unbelievable change of direction.
Carter highlightsClick 3. MICHAEL CARTER, Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-11/154
THE BUZZ: Was on receivers like glue at the Miami Nike Camp.
Kirkpatrick highlightsClick 2. DRE KIRKPATRICK, Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-2/180
THE BUZZ: Kirkpatrick is going to be a good one. He has tremendous ball skills and great hips.
Winston highlightsClick 1. DARIUS WINSTON, West Helena (Ark.) Central Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-0/180
THE BUZZ: Winston has great recovery speed, long arms and good hips.
OTHERS: C.J. Barnett, Clayton (Ohio) Northmont (Ohio State commitment); Cliff Harris, Fresno (Calif.) Edison; Marlon Pollard, San Bernardino (Calif.) Cajon (UCLA commitment); Terry Shankle, Norwood (N.C.) South Stanly; Steven Terrell, Allen (Texas) High.
MOST PHYSICAL
Hunter highlightsClick 5. D.J. HUNTER, Middletown (Ohio) High Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-0/196
THE BUZZ: He's a big, two-way starter who plays like a linebacker.
Samuels highlightsClick 4. VACHEL SAMUELS, Lynwood (Calif.) High Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-0/190
THE BUZZ: Will knock the ball carrier out of his shoes if given the chance.
3. ANDREW GREEN, San Antonio James Madison
Green highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-0/181
THE BUZZ: Tall corner that can take on blockers and make the tackle.
2. ERYON BARNETT, Euless (Texas) Trinity
Barnett highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-2/180
THE BUZZ: Huge corner who is not afraid to come up in run support.
Jackson highlightsClick 1. JANZEN JACKSON, Lake Charles (La.) Barbe Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: LSU
PARTICULARS: 6-0/174
THE BUZZ: Hits like a strong safety but has cover skills.
OTHERS: Bernard Bolden, Merced (Calif.) High; Marcus Davis, League City (Texas) Clear Creek; Eric Gordon, Nashville (Tenn.) Hillsboro; Chris Williams, Cincinnati Winton Woods; Steve Williams, Dallas Skyline (Oklahoma commitment).
BEST ATHLETE
5. MARLON POLLARD, San Bernardino (Calif.) Cajon
Pollard highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: UCLA
PARTICULARS: 6-1/160
THE BUZZ: Not only a football star but also one of the top long- and triple-jumpers in the state.
McGee highlightsClick 4. BRANDON MCGEE, Plantation (Fla.) High Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-11/186
THE BUZZ: Projected as a corner but is so athletic he plays quarterback and also stars in track.
3. MICHAEL CARTER, Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely
Carter highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-11/154
THE BUZZ: True cover corner who plays almost every position for his high school baseball team.
Green highlightsClick 2. JUSTIN GREEN, Louisville (Ky.) Male Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Ohio State
PARTICULARS: 5-11/178
THE BUZZ: Two-way starter who also is the state 100-meter champ.
Smith highlightsClick 1. BRANDEN SMITH, Atlanta Washington Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 5-11/171
THE BUZZ: Track star who has played every position on his football team, except the lines.
OTHERS: Jayron Hosley, Delray Beach (Fla.) Atlantic; Demontre Hurst, Lancaster (Texas) High; Dre Kirkpatrick, Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City; Gabe Lynn, Jenks (Okla.) High; Darius Winston, West Helena (Ark.) Central.
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