NFL Draft Watch: Cornerbacks
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Ranking: Hargreaves was rated as the No. 1 cornerback and the second-best recruit in the 2013 class behind only five-star DE Robert Nkemdiche. The five-star corner was also tops in the Florida state rankings.
Recruiting: A week before his eventual commitment, Hargreaves tweeted a top five that had the Gators listed No. 1. Then that week, the five-star and a few teammates visited Gainesville and upon his return home, Hargreaves announced he had committed to Florida over Clemson, Miami, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. USC was a frontrunner for a while, but the Trojans slipped off that list.
Overview: Hargreaves had seven tackles and an interception in Florida's 38-10 win over Ole Miss last weekend. On the season, he has 17 tackles and three interceptions in the Gators' first five victories.
Farrell's Take: Hargreaves is right in the discussion for No. 1 here and he had a knack for coming up huge in huge situations before college such as the Under Armour All-America Game, where he took home MVP honors. Compact but with long arms, his smarts separate him from many on the field as he seems to know what the receiver and quarterback are doing ahead of time. He's also an aggressive tackler in the running game and his well-rounded game impressed us from a young age.
3
,LSU
Ranking: White, a five-star from Shreveport (La.) Green Oaks, was the fourth-best cornerback and No. 18 overall in the 2013 class. He was also the top-rated prospect in the Louisiana state rankings.
Recruiting: White wasted little time committing to LSU after its junior day and he never wavered. He did have to wait awhile to call his parents from his coach's car though after making the decision because the car battery was dead and he couldn't charge his cell phone to send along the good news. White, the god-brother of former LSU star Morris Claiborne, only had another offer from Mississippi State at the time of his pledge.
Overview: White, who had only one tackle in LSU's blowout win over Eastern Michigan (it was for a loss), has 17 tackles and two pass deflections this season. He also has totaled 102 yards and a touchdown on six punt returns. LSU is giving up just 21.5 points per outing.
Farrell's Take: It never hurts to play defensive back at LSU and we saw White as an athletic lockdown corner who could also impact on special teams as well. The corner in that 2013 class that gets mentioned the least, he is playing his way into the discussion in what appears to be a great NFL Draft group at his position. He played quarterback in high school, which has helped him read offenses.
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Ranking: From Everett (Wash.) Mariner, Russell was rated as the ninth-best athlete and the No. 124 prospect in the 2012 class. The four-star was third in the Washington state rankings.
Recruiting: Russell picked Notre Dame over Washington and a host of other Pac-12 schools in late December and was originally recruited to play running back. California and USC hats also made the final cut for Russell's announcement ceremony.
Overview: Russell is fourth on the team with 25 tackles (2.5 for loss) and one sack. He also has recorded three pass deflections and has forced a fumble. Russell does not have any interceptions yet this season.
Farrell's Take: Russell was projected out of high school to play either running back or wide receiver but transitioned very well to cornerback at the college level, a position he also played at a young age in high school. He is a man on mission after missing last season due to academic suspension. His size and strength will keep him on the first-round radar.
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Ranking: The Olney (Md.) Good Counsel five-star cornerback was rated second at his position and ninth overall in the 2013 class. The only prospect rated higher in the state of Maryland was five-star DT and USC signee Kenny Bigelow.
Recruiting: Virginia Tech and Clemson were the two legitimate finalists for Fuller, who committed to the Hokies in the summer before his senior season started. He was also looking at Michigan and USC, but it became clear months before his choice that it was a two-horse race. Fuller's three brothers played in Blacksburg as well.
Overview: Fuller will miss the rest of the season after undergoing right knee surgery in late September. He reportedly tore his meniscus in preseason camp and tried to play through it but was re-evaluated after missing the East Carolina game. In three games, Fuller has seven tackles (one for loss) and a sack.
Farrell's Take: Ask anyone who Fuller's biggest fan was and the answer will easily point toward me. From the first time I saw him as a freshman, I was obviously aware of the family tree, but he carried himself like a star from the start and his backpedal was arguably the most fluid I had seen in my career. Add good size, amazing instincts and sneaky closing speed, and you have a corner you can put on an island. The knee injury could hurt his stock and possibly bring him back for another year in Blacksburg. He'd be higher on this list without that question mark.
Two to watch
Overview: Alexander (above) helped shut down Notre Dame receiver Will Fuller in Clemson's win last weekend. On the season, he has only four tackles mainly because no opponents rarely throw to his side. Clemson is giving up just 14.8 points per outing. As for Redmond, he has recorded 21 tackles and two interceptions so far this season. Mississippi State allows just 17.8 points per game.
Farrell's Take: Alexander was a shut-down guy out of high school with good size and great instincts and you can see why he isn't thrown at much at the college level. Redmond was a four-star athlete for us out of high school and a kid who played quarterback, which allowed him to get that sense for what an offense is going to do.
Adam Gorney
National Recruiting Analyst
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