Advertisement
football Edit

Five-Star Challenge: Match-up No. 2

MORE: Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge
Rivals.com is counting down the top 10 match-ups we can't wait to watch at the second annual Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour heading into the event at Soldier Field in Chicago. Today, it's WR Allen Lazard vs. CB Marlon Humphrey.
Advertisement
WR Allen Lazard, Urbandale, Iowa
vs.
CB Marlon Humphrey, Hoover, Ala.
---------
Why Lazard has an edge:
Arriving at an event the caliber of the Five-Star Challenge, cornerbacks are expecting to see some of the nation's top physical specimens, but the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Lazard is still going to open some eyes. Adding a 35-inch vertical to that height, Lazard has his way with most cornerbacks in jump-ball situations. He is a difficult cover over the middle of the field, where he uses his size to shield defenders from the football and possesses a sure pair of hands. Cornerbacks will need to be awfully savvy to outduel the nation's No. 1 wide receiver.
-- Josh Helmholdt, Midwest recruiting analyst
---------
Why Humphrey has an edge:
Humphrey has a slight edge in this particular matchup because of his elite speed, excellent technique and stellar size. Humphrey has been nursing a minor injury this spring, but when healthy he is a complete cornerback. When defending Lazard, he can run in his hip pocket and he has the height and reach to win jump balls against the tall wideout. All eyes will be on Humphrey, and we feel the five-star defender will hold his own against the nation's No. 1 receiver.
-- Kynon Codrington, Southeast recruiting analyst
---------
Overall edge:
This is a battle between a jumbo-sized wide receiver and a good-sized cornerback, so it will essentially come down to how well Lazard runs his routes and if he can win jump balls over Humphrey if he can't gain separation. While Humphrey is a special prospect at corner, he will have his hands full with a 6-foot-5 wideout who can jump out of the building. This could be the kind of matchup that either earns Lazard his fifth star or jumps Humphrey up to the top of the cornerback rankings, but you have to give the nod to Lazard here.
-- Mike Farrell, national recruiting analyst
MORE: No. 10: Hyatt vs. Beckner Jr. | No. 9: Hood vs. Hamilton | No. 8: Mixon vs. Bates |
No. 7: Brown vs. Knox | No. 6: Michel vs. Williams | No. 5: Lane vs. Jackson | No. 4: Fournette vs. McMillan | No. 3: Carter vs. Bars
Click Here to view this Link.
[rl]
Advertisement