College Football Recruiting: The Top Three Cornerbacks of 2013
Assembled is a preseason ranking for the top cornerbacks in College Football Recruiting for the class of 2013. This is an incredibly talented class of cornerbacks, one of the deepest to come along in a few years. Here is a breakdown of the top 3.
1. Vernon Hargreaves III –Tampa (FL) Wharton- Hargreaves has had a heck of summer thus far, increasing his already soaring stock. Hargreaves is coming off a defensive MVP performance at the Gridiron Kings 7 on 7 where he routinely dominated against elite competition. What makes Hargreaves such a special player is his phenomenal instincts. He also is versatile, showing abilities to play either cornerback or safety at the collegiate level. While Hargreaves is currently committed to Florida, there is a chance he could play elsewhere. One school he will constantly be reminded of is South Florida, where his father, Vernon Hargreaves II, is a coach. Early Prediction: Florida.
2. Kendall Fuller- Olney (MD) Our Lady Of Good Counsel- Fuller didn’t exactly shock the world when he gave a verbal commitment to Virginia Tech, considering he will be the fourth member of his family to play in Blacksburg. What the Hokies are getting is an incredibly hard worker with a great ability to read and react. Fuller breaks very well to the ball and is very instinctual. While the 5’11’’ 190lb Fuller isn’t the biggest or the fastest player, he knows how to win individual matchups. I wouldn’t expect too much to change in his decision making process, although expect Clemson to keep up its full court press. Early Prediction: Virginia Tech.
3. Jalen Ramsey- Nashville (TN) Brentwood Academy- Having Ramsey listed as the third best cornerback shows just how talented this year’s crop of corners really is. Almost any other year and Ramsey would have been number one. Ramsey committed to Southern Cal not long after dominating the Rising Stars Camp in Los Angeles. At 6’0’’ and 190lbs, running a 4.4 second 40 yard dash and testing out with a 40 inch vertical, Ramsey is a physical freak. He is big and strong enough to come up and make plays in the box, but is fast enough to leave on an island in man coverage. Ramsey is the kind of player who excels on the big stage, going against the best, and that’s exactly what he will get at SC. Early Prediction: Southern Cal.
As mentioned earlier, this year’s class of cornerbacks is absolutely stacked. This could be the best to come along since 2008 (Patrick Peterson, Janoris Jenkins, Brandon Harris, Alfonzo Dennard). These players need to have a strong senior season though to fend off guys like Cameron Burrows, Eli Woodard and Priest Willis from their top three spots. It will be fascinating to see how the recruitment of all of these players plays out closer to signing day.
