Rivals.com continues its series looking at each position for the upcoming NFL Draft. Today, we move to cornerback with the top five and then two others to watch.
TOP FIVE
1. MARSHON LATTIMORE, OHIO STATE
Recruiting: Lattimore committed to Ohio State over Alabama, Georgia Tech and others at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was rated as a four-star athlete coming out of high school since there was some thought he could play wide receiver for the Buckeyes.
Stats: Lattimore finished with 41 tackles along with four interceptions and nine pass breakups this season.
Stock report: Steady
Farrell’s take: Lattimore did very well at the combine as expected and remains No. 1 on the board for many as a potential top 5 pick. We had him as an athlete coming out of high school because we felt he could play offense or defense in college, but he struggled a bit down the stretch against top competition at the U.S. Army Bowl and was surpassed by teammate and fellow defensive back Erick Smith in the state rankings. Now Lattimore has emerged as a franchise NFL corner.
2. GAREON CONLEY, OHIO STATE
Recruiting: A former Michigan commit, Conley committed to Ohio State during his official visit to Columbus in December of his senior season. He was a three-star athlete who projected as a receiver, cornerback or safety in college.
Stats: Conley finished with 26 tackles this season, none for loss, along with four interceptions and eight pass deflections.
Stock report: Up
Farrell’s take: Conley, like Lattimore, had a very good combine and put up some impressive numbers for his size. Conley was a high three-star but couldn’t crack four stars because he wasn’t naturally fluid at defensive back and needed to fill out and get much stronger on his tall frame. All of that has obviously been figured out and he is a potential first-rounder.
3. TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE, LSU
Recruiting: White committed to LSU at its junior day and Mississippi State was his only other offer at the time. UCLA, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and others showed interest.
Stats: This season, White finished with 35 tackles (four for loss) with two interceptions, 14 pass breakups and a forced fumble. He was also utilized as a punt returner.
Stock report: Steady
Farrell’s take: White had a good combine and kept himself well in the round one talk despite not dominating in any one area. 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 five-star corner in that 2013 class that used to get mentioned the least, his extra year in college really benefitted him. He played quarterback in high school, which has helped him read offenses.
4. QUINCY WILSON, FLORIDA
Recruiting: The four-star picked Florida over numerous national offers and almost the entire SEC except Alabama, which did not offer, in the summer before his senior season. Wilson’s father, Chad, played for Miami in the early 1990s under Dennis Erickson.
Stats: Wilson finished with 33 tackles (3.5 for loss including a sack), three interceptions and six pass deflections this season.
Stock report: Steady
Farrell’s take: Wilson’s size and athleticism stood out to many at the combine and he put up solid numbers overall but nothing freaky. Wilson was a tall, athletic cornerback who was ranked in the Rivals250 but didn’t make the cut at top 10 at his position in a loaded 2014 class. Why? Because we projected him as a guy who was recruited as a corner, wanted to play corner yet still might have to make the move to safety because he struggled with smaller, faster guys in space. He easily passed his teammate Jalen Tabor on everyone’s draft boards and could be a surprise pick in the top 15 as some teams covet him.
5. MARLON HUMPHREY, ALABAMA
Recruiting: Humphrey followed his father’s footsteps picking Alabama over Florida State, his other finalist. UCLA and Mississippi State were also seriously considered. Bobby Humphrey was an All-American running back for the Crimson Tide in the 1980s.
Stats: Humphrey finished with 36 tackles (three for loss) along with two interceptions this season. He also added five pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Stock report: Up
Farrell’s take: Scouts are starting to fall for Humphrey as he moves up on many boards after a very good combine. Humphrey had good size, and was a long and confident kid coming out of high school. He was a sure tackler, very smooth in his backpedal and had natural football instincts. I remember Humphrey had a poor week of practice at the Under Armour All-America Game but shook it off and played a very good game. He’s better under the lights, but last season he let too many receivers get behind him and he was also giving up too many easy catches in front of him. Humphrey doesn’t get targeted a ton at Alabama, but that began happening more, which is why I don’t have him as high as others.
TWO TO WATCH
1. ADOREE' JACKSON, USC
Recruiting: Jackson picked USC on National Signing Day with UCLA, Florida and LSU being his other finalists. Tennessee was also a major player late in his recruitment while Oklahoma and others were considered, since Jackson is originally from the St. Louis area.
Stats: Jackson finished with 55 tackles (two for loss) along with a team-high five interceptions last season. The former five-star also had 16 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and on special teams he returned four punts or kickoffs for touchdowns.
Stock report: Steady
Farrell’s take: Jackson isn’t very big and his 4.42 40-yard dash didn’t blow anyone away although his numbers were solid in the 40, vertical and broad jump. He was a dynamic athlete in high school who could play either side of the ball and impact special teams. His ability as a punt and kick returner at the NFL level will intrigue many and could land him higher than expected even with his size issues. We obviously loved him as our No. 1 athlete, a five-star and the No. 6 player overall in 2014.
2. FABIAN MOREAU, UCLA
Recruiting: A three-star running back out of high school, Moreau committed to UCLA over Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Illinois and others after his official visit to Westwood.
Stats: Moreau finished this season with 31 tackles and two interceptions. He also added 10 pass breakups and he forced a fumble.
Stock report: Up
Farrell’s take: A 4.35 at the combine, along with amazing numbers in the vertical, broad jump and 60-yard shuttle, pushed Moreau way up many boards. And even with his minor injury at his pro day, expect that speed to land him high in round two. He was a three-star running back prospect out of high school who only played a couple of years and put up moderate numbers but once he flipped to defense, he was able to be more effective in college.
