Newcomers In The CFB Saturdays College Football CB Rankings: 2021 Preseason

With the 2020 season in the books we have removed the cornerbacks who have moved on and updated the College Football CB rankings. A few notes before we discuss the rankings themselves.

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football CB Rankings here.

Here is a look at a few of the cornerbacks that have debuted in the rankings after a promising 2020:

Chase Lucas – Arizona State

Lucas was a four star recruit in Arizona State’s 2016 recruiting class and after red-shirting his first year on campus he has become a consistent contributor over the last four seasons. With the NCAA allowing an extra year of eligibility, Lucas will return as a “super senior” for the 2021 season. Arizona State only played four games during a Covid shortened season, but Lucas looked sharper than ever in the limited sample. Lucas had more passes defensed than he did games played, finishing the season with 15 tackles, 5 pass breakups, and 1 fumble forced.

Lucas has good height for a cornerback, checking in at 6’0″ 180 lbs and is able to match-up well with outside receivers. He is comfortable in different coverage techniques and can play press man coverage, off man coverage or in a zone scheme. Lucas has the quick feet and flexibility to change directions efficiently and shadow receivers in coverage. He is physical against the run and does not shy away from contact and is reliable as a tackler. Lucas plays with confidence and does not panic in coverage allowing him to be patient and make plays on the football. He is a talented cover corner who earned a spot as one of the best in the country.

Arizona State Sun Devils Gear

Tre’Vius Hodges Tomlinson – TCU

Hodges Tomlinson was a three star recruit who quickly proved he could hold his own at the collegiate level. He earned playing time as a freshman during the 2019 season and even started a game for the Horned Frogs. In 2020, Hodges Tomlinson became a mainstay in the secondary and had an excellent season. He recorded multiple pass breakups in four of the ten games TCU played during the 2020 season. He finished second in the country in pass breakups during the 2020 season when he accounted for 26 tackles and 13 pass breakups over the course of ten games.

At 5’9″ 177 lbs Hodges Tomlinson is a smaller cornerback, but has made up for it with his play. He is a former safety and will not shy away from contact. Hodges Tomlinson has excellent ball skills and anticipates well to make plays on the ball. He is a good athlete who has the quickness needed to excel in coverage and can defend better receivers in man coverage. Hodges Tomlinson used 2020 to announce himself as a top corner and will be one of the best cornerbacks in the country in 2021.

TCU Horned Frogs Gear

Tiawan Mullen – Indiana

Indiana had another successful season under Tom Allen and a large part of that success was the strong play of the Hoosiers’ defense. Mullen was a key player for that defense and lived up to the promise he showed as a true freshman in 2019. Mullen is a playmaker and he made big plays on a weekly basis during the 2020 season. Each week he impacted the game in a different way but was consistent in his ability to leave his mark on the game, recording 38 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, a fumble forced and a QB hurry over 8 games last season.

At 5’10” and 176 lbs Mullen is not a big corner, but he plays with an edge that allows him to overcome that. He has excellent agility and burst which allows him to perform well in tight coverage. Mullen is an instinctual player who has a good feel for the game and anticipates plays effectively, helping him to get in position before the offense has accounted for him. He will deliver a big hit in run support and is an effective blitzer off the edge. Mullen’s versatility and feel for the game will make him a top playmaker at cornerback in 2021 as well.

Indiana Hoosiers Gear

AJ Hampton – Northwestern

Northwestern enjoyed a bounce back season in 2020 behind the strong play of their defense. The pass defense for the Wildcats was particularly stingy, allowing an average of 5.2 yards per attempt and intercepting 14 passes while allowing only 8 touchdowns. While fellow cornerback Greg Newsome and breakout star safety Brandon Joseph received a lot of the attention, Hampton performed very well in his own right. Hampton was strong in coverage and held up his end of the bargain while teams were avoiding future first round draft pick, Greg Newsome. For 2020, Hampton registered 26 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception and 5 pass breakups in nine games.

Hampton has average size for a cornerback at 5’11” 180 lbs but is physical with receivers in coverage. He has good athleticism and quickness that helps him to excel in man coverage and also has the instincts and feel to play a zone. Hampton shows a good feel for when the ball is coming and is adept making plays on the ball against talented receivers. He had a strong 2020 that was overshadowed a bit by his teammates, but will be able to shine again in 2021.

Northwestern Wildcats Gear

Kaiir Elam – Florida

Elam made an immediate impact at Florida in his first season and was expected to build on that during the 2020 season. He was one of the top cornerback recruits in the 2019 recruiting class and has performed up the billing since arriving on campus. Elam was asked to take on a larger role in the secondary for the Gators in 2020 and he delivered with a strong season, highlighted by an interception in the rivalry win against Georgia. For the year, he accounted for 39 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions and 11 pass breakups over 12 games.

Measuring at 6’2″ 193 lbs, Elam has the size and length college teams covet at the cornerback position. He combines his good speed and athleticism with strong technique that helps him succeed against quality receivers. He has an innate ability to find the football and is a threat to make a big play at an time. Elam has continued to improve his game, showing the ability to be more physical at the point of attack and consistent in coverage. Despite the success he has already had, Elam has plenty of potential to tap into as he develops his game.

Florida Gators Gear

For the complete Top 25 CB Rankings click here.

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NCAA Football: Arizona State at UCLA, October 26, 2019, Pasadena, CA Image taken by Steve Cheng is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.