Risers In The CFB Saturdays College Football CB Rankings

With a few weeks of the season in the books and an opportunity to see how players have developed we have 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 who have made big moves up in the rankings.

Shemar Jean-Charles – Appalachian State

Jean-Charles entered his second season as a starter for the Mountaineers in 2020. He had a solid season in 2019, but has elevated his game to new heights this season. Jean-Charles is a complete cornerback who has the coverage skills teams covet and is also strong in run support. He is a good athlete, who has the burst and flexibility needed to cover at a high level. Jean-Charles covers well and does an excellent job of locating the football and making the play. He has good instincts and feels the play developing, reacting well in space and putting himself in good position. With a year of experience, Jean-Charles looks comfortable and has blossomed into a star.

Playing opposite Shaun Jolly, Jean-Charles was tested plenty early in the season. He quickly proved he was up to the challenge tallying 13 pass breakups and an interception to go with 27 tackles with 1 tackle for loss and a fumble forced. As the season has continued and he has proven how good he is, teams have been testing Jean-Charles less. The Appalachian State pass defense has thrived with two shutdown cornerbacks, holding opposing quarterbacks under 50 percent passing and to just 5.7 yards per attempt. Jean-Charles has developed into one of the best cornerbacks in the country and earned a spot in the top ten on our list.

Malachi Moore – Alabama

Moore plays the star position for the Crimson Tide. This is more of a hybrid player that plays in the slot for the Alabama defense. He is listed with the cornerbacks because of the coverage responsibilities he has in the defense. Moore is a versatile athlete who can do many things well, he is a good blitzer who can be disruptive in the backfield, he tackles well and is physical in run support, and he has the ability to cover receivers downfield. Moore’s athleticism and versatility make him a perfect fit at the star position that is asked to cover slot receivers and play in the box at times. Just a true freshman, Moore is a rising star in college football who will be a force on the Alabama defense.

It’s not easy for a true freshman to start at a school like Alabama, it’s even more difficult to become an impact player right away. Moore has earned a starting spot and has made big plays on a weekly basis. Through six games Moore has made 28 tackles, with 3 tackles for loss, broken up 6 passes, while intercepting 2 others and forced and recovered a fumble, returning it for a touchdown. The across the board production has been demonstrative of the wide array of skills Moore brings to the table. Expect him to continue to develop and become one of the best defensive players in the country regardless of position.

Eli Ricks – LSU

Eli Ricks was one of the top recruits in the country, arriving at LSU with high expectations. Early in his career it is easy to see why he was such a highly coveted recruit. Ricks has an excellent blend of size and athleticism at the cornerback position. He has the height and length to be physical with receivers and also has the flexibility and feet to turn and run with quicker receivers. Ricks has great instincts and ball skills that help him make interceptions. Ricks has quickly put his physical tools to work at the college level and is one of the fastest rising corners in college football.

Ricks has seen plenty of playing time early this season and has been a bright spot for a struggling LSU defense. In five games this season, Ricks has recorded 11 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 pass breakups and a touchdown on an interception return. Ricks has been excellent in coverage, doing a great job of matching up in man to man coverage with receivers. Despite the issues LSU has had on defense, Ricks has been a strength for the Tigers, providing building block for the future at cornerback.

Josh DeBerry – Boston College

DeBerry played some as a freshman in 2019 but only started two games, he has flourished in 2020 in Jeff Hafley’s defensive scheme. DeBerry has the tools needed to succeed in Hafley’s scheme and has quickly developed into a star for the Eagles. DeBerry has good length and toughness, both traits allow him to compete with bigger more physical receivers, both at the line of scrimmage and downfield when fighting for the ball. He has quick feet and changes directions well, reacting quickly to the play and closing on the ball in a hurry. Hafley made a name for himself evaluating and coaching defensive backs, DeBerry looks like another prize pupil for the Boston College head coach.

In the first game of the season DeBerry announced himself as a playmaker for the Eagles, ripping the ball away from a Duke receiver to make a momentum turning interception. That physical play was a preview of things to come for the sophomore defensive back who has 33 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 5 pass breakups, 1 interception and 2 fumbles forced so far this season. DeBerry has a knack for finding the football and making big plays for his defense. He has locked down one corner spot for Boston College and is quickly becoming one of the best corners in college football.

Coby Bryant – Cincinnati

Bryant is a well built physical cornerback who plays to his strengths. He is comfortable jamming receivers and redirecting them at the line of scrimmage, he has the recovery speed and awareness to turn and run with receivers and react to the ball quickly when it is thrown. Bryant has good ball skills and converts his opportunities to get an interception more often than he does pushups after dropping one. He has a good feel for what receivers are trying to do and anticipates routes well, helping him to close quickly on passes and make a play. Bryant has been a constant in the Cincinnati secondary the past few seasons but he is playing his best ball as a senior.

The Bearcats’ defense is one of the best in college football, allowing just 12.4 points per game. The strong play of the secondary has been a key component in Cincinnati’s aggressive scheme. Bryant has been excellent on the outside playing across from another star in Ahmad Gardner. Bryant has accounted for 24 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions and 5 pass breakups in seven games this season. He has been stout in coverage, keeping opponents from getting free for big plays, while also being aggressive and making plays of his own. Bryant’s improved play has helped Cincinnati’s defense play as well as any defense in college football.

Click here for the Top 25 CB Rankings.

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