Author's Note: Last year, before I became a Front Page Author, I posted a few pieces on the top college prospects at the very beginning of the college football season for '09-'10. There are roughly 22 positions (11 on each side of the ball) to focus on. Each week, leading up to the very first NCAA Football Game for the '10-'11 Season, I will take a look at one of the positions. Each position will vary in the amount of players I cover. Number of players per position will range anywhere from 10-20 of the top prospects. I will be ranking them as to where I think they will be slotted in next years draft should they all enter. Mind you, these are just my opinions, but I feel that the rankings are going to be pretty close to the opinions of the rest of the Nation. I haven't seen any preseason player rankings yet, so it should be interesting to compare to once they come out.
Last week we finished up taking a look at all of the offensive positions. This week we will turn our attention toward the defensive prospects coming out. Believe it or not, and as long as it may seem away, the 2010-2011 Season is almost upon us. We are less than two months away (51 Days) until the Niners kick the ball off again. Sweet revenge against the Superbowl loser Colts would be a nice way to begin the year... preseason or not.
This week we're going to look at the cornerback position. There was much debate around Niners Nation this past offseason (pre-draft) in regards as to whether or not they needed to draft a corner fairly high. It seems as though the coaching staff and front office felt fine with the guys that were in place considering that they didn't draft a corner until the sixth round. Nate Clements and Shawntae Spencer are expected to be the starting corners but it remains a mystery as to who will be the nickel and dime package corners. This leads me to believe that next year the corner position may be a targeted area. So pay close attention to the guys that are listed below. One of them may be a San Francisco 49er next season.
After the break, we'll take a look...
1. RAS-I DOWLING | 6'2", 200 LBS. | VIRGINIA CAVALIERS - Had Dowling come out in this years draft, he may have been selected relatively high. However, considering that he returned for a final season in college, the odds are stacked in his favor to be picked first potentially. If he is not selected here, look for him to be selected as a top three cornerback in next years draft. (((Click Here For Highlights)))
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 43 | 29 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 43 | 33 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 58 | 40 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 70 | 23.3 | 49 | 0 | 0 |
2. PRINCE AMUKAMARA | 6'1", 200 LBS. | NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS - Like Dowling, Amukamara has a very good opportunity to put himself in position to get drafted on day one of next years draft. He has very good instinct and makes extremely exceptional cut to either break up passes or pluck them out of the air. Keep an eye on this young talented prospect. (((Click Here For Highlights)))
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 32 | 19 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 60 | 38 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 63 | 12.6 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
3. CURTIS BROWN | 6'0", 185 LBS. | TEXAS LONGHORNS - Some people feel that Texas Longhorn defensive backs tend to be overrated. As much as I hate to admit it, I believe that Brown is not a player who will be overrated coming out next year. Being in the spotlight at a big school like Texas, he will have every chance to shine and make the ESPN highlight reels. (No Highlights)
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 25 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 44 | 31 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 77 | 77.0 | 77 | 1 | 0 |
4. PATRICK PETERSON | 6'1", 211 LBS. | LSU TIGERS - In a way, I feel like this could be too low to slot Peterson but it was just really difficult to place him above the other three. In any case, Peterson is easily a top five prospect next year. He is fast, physical, great ball skills and could very well fit the mold in a physical with an "F" type of defense. (((Click Here For Highlights)))
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2008 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 52 | 43 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 37 | 18.5 | 37 | 1 | 0 |
5. AARON WILLIAMS | 6'1", 189 LBS. | TEXAS LONGHORNS - Yes, there are two corners from Texas in the top five. This is not an error. Again, some feel that defensive backs out of Texas are overrated but there is a reason they earned the nickname of DBU. The Longhorns may have lost one of their best guys back there in Earl Thomas but the two defensive backs listed here could make up for the loss with another year of experience under their belts. (((Click Here For Highlights)))
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2008 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 81 | 81.0 | 81 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 31 | 21 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
6. SHAREECE WRIGHT | 6'0", 185 LBS. | USC TROJANS - Wright was a defensive back under Pete Carroll last year and judging by the defensive back stats there, it seems as though there were more personal fouls than interceptions... hmmmm... anyhow, Wright (out from underneath the wicked wings of Carroll) should have a chance to shine now. I fully expect Wright to be a player that steps up to the plate and showcases his true talent. (((Click Here For Highlights)))
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2006 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7. CHIMDI CHEKWA | 6'1", 188 LBS. | OHIO STATE BUCKEYES - Chewka may be a lot higher than this when it's all said and done. He has all the makings of potentially being a great corner. While he may be that in college, you just never know when they hit the next level. But I fully expect to see Chekwa playing on Sunday's after this season. (No Highlights)
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 30 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 30 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 43 | 26 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 19.0 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
8. MARIO BUTLER | 6'1", 185 LBS. | GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS - The Yellow Jackets didn't have very many highlights on the defensive side of the ball last year, but Butler, next to Derrick Morgan provided a few. Butler could very well be the best player on the defensive side for the Yellow Jackets. His name should become well-known by season end. (((Click Here For Highlights)))
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 41 | 33 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 40 | 29 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
9. OMAR BOLDEN | 5'10", 195 LBS. | ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS - Bolden could have gone pro last year but opted to stay one more year. He sustained a significant injury and missed some time last year. If he stays healthy in the upcoming year, he has all the tangibles to get drafted as a top ten corner in next years draft class. (((Click Here For Highlights)))
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 49 | 37 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
10. JAMES DOCKERY | OREGON STATE BEAVERS - If Dockery can build off of what he ended with last year, he's going to put himself in great position to be drafted somewhere in the middle of the pack next year. Of course there are always extenuating circumstances but if everything goes well, expect Dockery to get drafted as a top ten corner. (((Click Here For Highlights)))
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 38 | 24 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
11. ANTHONY GAITOR | 5'10", 185 LBS. | FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL PANTHERS
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 56 | 31 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 44 | 32 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 175 | 35.0 | 78 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 45 | 33 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
12. DARIAN HAGAN | 6'1", 186 LBS. | CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2008 | 56 | 38 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 29 | 23 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
13. KENDRIC BURNEY | 5'9", 190 LBS. | UNC TARHEELS
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 49 | 39 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 76 | 76.0 | 76 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 77 | 62 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 71 | 23.7 | 37 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 52 | 37 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 200 | 40.0 | 77 | 2 | 0 |
14. JASON TEAGUE | 6'2", 190 LBS. | TCU HORNED FROGS
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
15. DAVON HOUSE | 6'0", 180 LBS. | NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 37 | 21 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 171 | 42.8 | 100 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 40 | 26 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 21.0 | 42 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 68 | 46 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 58 | 19.3 | 58 | 1 | 0 |
16. RASHAD CARMICHAEL | 5'11", 186 LBS. | VIRGINIA TECH HOAKIES
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 55 | 31 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 71 | 11.8 | 28 | 1 | 0 |
17. DEVON TORRENCE | 6'1", 185 LBS. | OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 35 | 15 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
18. C.J. BAILEY | 5'10", 184 LBS. | SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GOLDEN EAGLES
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 40 | 27 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 37 | 18.5 | 37 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 31 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 57 | 41 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
19. MARCUS GILCHRIST | 5'11", 185 LBS. | CLEMSON TIGERS
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2007 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 96 | 53 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
20. BRANDON HARRIS | 5'11", 195 LBS. | MIAMI HURRICANES
| Stats Overview | Tackles | Misc | Interceptions | |||||||||||
| YEAR | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | PD |
| 2008 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 55 | 39 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |