Ourlads Archives

Cornerbacks - 2023 Ourlads' Draft Preview

Jon Cooper
12/14/2022 1:15PM ET

1. Ringo, Kelee*

CB Georgia 6020  210

Two year starter, Tacoma, WA. AP preseason All-American. Physical corner with ideal length, twitch and speed. Plays a variety of coverage and technique and is adept at both zone and man coverage. Smooth pedal; he transitions easily to turn and run as cushion breaks.  Fluid change of direction as there’s no wasted movement reacting.  As a zone defender he reads the quarterback’s delivery key along with positioning on receiver’s in the zone. Flashes ball skills finding the catch point and high pointing interception opportunities. He wins most 50/50 battles with receivers. Solid fundamental tackling skill. In man coverage he can mirror route breaks of the shiftiest receivers and stays in phase vs. vertical routes. Adjusts to receivers change in tempo to maintain positioning. As a press corner shows a physical off hand jam to ride a receiver to the sideline. Can get hip to hip and lock a receiver out up the field. As good as he is he could get more interceptions as he seems to pass up a catch for a pass break at times. Has the tools of an elite NFL corner. 

 

2. Smith, Cam*

South Carolina  6000 188

Two year starter, Blythewood, SC. Second team All-SEC in 2021. Fundamentally sound prospect showing excellent technique and footwork. Adept at zone and man coverage with some experience as a slot corner. In off coverage shows a quick shuffle pedal maintaining cushion.  Shows smooth transitions to turn and run or break forward or laterally. As a zone defender shows awareness of route concepts and ability to read the quarterback delivery key. Quick to plant and drive with the ball in the air. Has been productive getting to the catch point.  As a press corner shows a two and off-hand jam to disrupt release along with press and bail. Rarely gives up leverage as he is sudden to mirror route breaks and stay on the hip of the receiver. Excellent in run support he explodes into tackles and is consistent making plays in space. Can be too physical at times as he will get grabby when in phase or reacting to a cut. As a very aggressive corner he can be vulnerable to a double move off the line. His tools and technique should fit with any NFL scheme.  

 

3. Williams, Garrett*

Syracuse  6000  189

Three year starter, Harrisburg, NC. All-ACC in 2021. Aggressive, competitive corner with excellent movement skills. Has played primarily zone coverage with some experience with off and press man. In off coverage he shows a quick shuffle pedal into a lateral run with quick transitions in all directions. Smooth hip turn he can open up and gain ground in the deep outside zones. Often plays with a big cushion but he’s sudden reacting from it with the ball in the air. Normally stays in phase up the field. In man coverage shows ability to accelerate to undercut route breaks. Flashes an explosive burst in recovery mode if beaten on a cut. Outstanding in run support, his quick downhill reaction can out run blocks to make plays on the perimeter. Launches into tackles and makes some big hits. While normally spaces well in zone he has some trouble with hesitation vs. high/low rights in the deep third. Will guess on a route break at times and give up leverage. Long speed is a slight question but his tools translate well to the NFL. 

 

4. Phillips lll, Clark*

Utah  5095  183

Two year starter, Lakewood, CA. All- PAC 12 second team in 2021. Somewhat undersized for an outside corner Phillips has excelled both outside and in the slot. Extreme athleticism and incredible quickness in reactions. Plays bigger than his size showing an uncanny ability to find the catch point. He’s been ultra productive getting his hands on balls. Phillips has experience in a variety of techniques including off man, outside zone and press man. Textbook fundamentals and footwork of backpedal, lateral run and turn and run. Adjusts to receiver’s tempo to stay in phase through route breaks, change of speed and deep vertical release. Tough to shake. Sudden to break on the ball with no wasted movement. Very active in run support and pursuit. Quick feet gets him through blocks and he consistently makes tackles in space. Sound tackling skill with gather, strike and finish. Will occasionally lose eye discipline and sneak a peek at the quarterback and lose the receiver. Can get too close and physical with the ball in the air at times. Height disadvantage occasionally shows vs. a tall receiver. He has elite skill and may project as a slot corner.

 

5. Porter Jr, Joey*

Penn State  6020  198

Three year starter, Bakersfield, CA. Third team All-Big Ten in 2020 and 2021. Tall, lengthy corner with unique athleticism for his size. He’s experienced in multiple zone and man concepts. As a press corner uses a two or off hand jam to disrupt the release. Changes up technique including reactive press and press and bail. Rarely gives up leverage on the release.  In off coverage he shows a quick pedal to maintain cushion. As a hard corner he can be physical re-routing and sinking underneath an intermediate route. Has a good feel for multiple routes in the outside zones. Quick to plant and drive with the ball in the air. Uses his length to get his hands to the catch point and battle on 50/50 balls. He’s quick to support the run and makes most tackles. Can play upright at times and transitions suffer as a result. Timing on turn and run can be inconsistent and he can lose a receiver as a result. Can get a little too physical and grabby at times. Length and skill set will be coveted by NFL teams. 

 

6. Gonzalez, Christian*

Oregon  6020  201

 

7. Jones, Jaylon

Texas A&M  6010  205 

 

8. Stevenson, Tyrique

Miami  6005  214

 

9. Abrams-Draine, Kris*

Missouri  5011  179

 

10. Witherspoon, Devon

Illinois  5115  183

 

11. Forbes, Emmanuel*

Mississippi State  6000  180

 

12. Hodges-Tomlinson, Tre’Vius

TCU   5075  177

 

13. Kelly, Kyu Blu

Stanford  6010  189

 

14.  Turner, D J 

Michigan  5011  181

 

15.  Ward, Jay

LSU  6010  184

 

16.Ricks, Eli*

Alabama  6020  190

 

17. Hart, Cam

Notre Dame  6025  198

 

18. Moss, Riley

Iowa  6006  195

 

19. Bernard-Converse, Jarrick

LSU  6007  198

 

20. Bush, Arquon

Cincinnati  5113  179

 

21. Trice, Cory

Purdue  6032  217 

 

22. Clark, Kei’Trel

Louisville  5105  180

 

23. Jones, Myles

Texas A&M  6032  185

 

24. Grimes, Tony*

North Carolina  6002  195

 

25. Brown, Cameron

Ohio State   5117  194

 

26. Green Jalen*

Mississippi State  6010 200

 

27.   Brents, Julius

Kansas State  6026   293

 

28. Blackmon, Mekhi

USC  5114  180

 

29. Duck, Storm

North Carolina  6001  195

 

30. Jamison, D’Shawn

Texas  6006  195

 

31. Prince, Deantre 

Mississippi   6001  181

 

32. DeBerry, Josh

Boston College  5110  181

 

33. Johnson, Anthony

Virginia  6020  202

 

34. Daniels, Noah

TCU  5111  205

 

35. Blades, Al

Miami  6002  191

 

36. Banks, Sevyn

LSU  6006 197

 

37. Williams, Jaylin

Indiana  5094  179

 

38. Battle, Miles

Mississippi 6031  204

 

*Denotes Underclassman