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By Justin Davis and Kris Brauner
SouthernPigskin.com Columnists
SouthernPigskin.com Columnists Justin Davis and Kris Brauner rank the cornerbacks in the SEC West. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan of us on Facebook at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
As SEC West columnists for Southern Pigskin, we have set out to rank the top players at each position in the division. The system is simple. If the goal is to find the Top 5 at a position, then each first place vote gets five points, each second place vote gets four points, etc. Kris and Justin then tally the points and determine the rankings.
The criteria used to rank players focuses on two things: projected production (will they put up the stats?) and overall ability (how good is the player, despite the stats?). Today, Davis and Brauner look at cornerbacks and they are in agreement on the top cornerback in the division.
The game of football has changed over the last few years. The game has progressed from the "3 yards and a cloud of dust" to aerial warfare. The new offensive tactics have given birth to a new defensive position. The shutdown corner. Here are the SEC West's Top Corners.
1. Patrick Peterson – LSU (10 points) – 52 tackles, 2 INT, 15 PBU
Justin's Take (1): Peterson is a physically imposing corner. He's a surefire 1st rounder after owning Julio Jones for most of that game. His stats from last year include 43 solo tackles, 13 Pass breakups and 2 INT's including one for a TD. Any question why he's number 1?
Kris's Take (1): Peterson has the size, speed, and athleticism that has NFL scouts drooling. Peterson really ramped up his game when facing elite receivers such as Julio Jones, AJ Green, and Greg Childs and essentially shut those receivers down. Teams often stayed away from Peterson, and he showed a tendency to get impatient and get caught looking into the backfield. If Peterson can consistently focus, then he is a first team All-American. He will be pulling double duty this year as a punt and kick returner.
2. Neiko Thorpe – Auburn (8 points) – 84 tackles, 2 INT, 9 PBU
Justin's Take (2): Despite his lean stature, Thorpe is a feisty defender. His numbers back it up as he accumulated 58 solo tackles, 9 PBU's, one forced fumble and a pair of INTs. Look for the junior to build a case for draft status this year.
Kris's Take (2): Thorpe has been a contributor for Auburn since his first game as a freshman. A returning starter, Thorpe now looks to put himself in the conversation of the league's elite corners. He is a sure tackler who always seems to be around the ball, and now he will look to make more big plays.
3. Dre Kirkpatrick – Alabama (6 points) - 8 tackles
Justin's Take (3): On any other team in the nation Kirkpatrick would have started immediately. Alabama happened to have NFL Draft picks Javier Arenas and Kareem Jackson starting at both spots. Kirkpatrick was the number 4 prospect on the ESPNU150 and runs a 4.5 which maybe faster thanks to Cochran. With a year under his belt on the scout team, is it a wonder why he's here?
Kris's Take (3): Kirkpatrick is a former blue chip recruit who has a ton of talent and spent a year as a backup and special teams player while learning from one of the best defensive backs coaches in football. He is the first of three young players who I think will make a big impact in the division. Now, he will be expected to fill the shoes of a pair of departed NFL draft picks. With Bama's tough front seven pressuring opposing quarterbacks, Dre should have numerous opportunities to make some plays.
4. Darius Winston – Arkansas (2 points) – 7 tackles
Justin's Take (NR)
Kris's Take (4): Winston is another former blue chip recruit who has slid into a starting position after the staff moved Rudell Crim to safety. Winston has all of the tools to be an All-SEC player, and he now has the opportunity.
4. Rudell Crim – Arkansas (2 points) – 43 tackles, 4 PBU
Justin's Take (4): Crim was a very versatile safety now making a start at corner for the Hogs. With 28 solo tackles, Crim has the physicality to play at his new position.
Kris's Take (NR)
Others Receiving Votes:
Jeremy McGee – Ole Miss (1 point) – 19 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PBU
Justin's Take (5): McGee returns for his senior season looking to anchor a pretty talented Rebel defense. Compiling 17 solo tackles, a forced fumble, an INT and a pair of PBUs McGee is a pretty good cover/run support corner.
Kris's Take (NR)
Morris Claiborne – LSU (1 point) – 7 tackles
Justin's Take (NR)
Kris's Take (5): Claiborne is yet another young player that I believe will make a big impact this fall. Claiborne showed enough in one year on campus to unseat senior Jai Eugene as a starter at corner. Claiborne has prototypical size at corner at 6'1” 180, plenty of speed, and the ability to stick with receivers. With teams staying away from Patrick Peterson, Claiborne will have a lot of opportunities to get his hands on the football.
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Kris has a blog called the Saturday Night Slant. You can also follow the Saturday Night Slant on Twitter or Facebook.
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Justin Davis aka JersyMikeJr is an aspiring sports talk jock and avid Alabama football fan. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Justin is 5'4 and 170 pounds of Bama talking thunder. In addition to Alabama and football in general, he also enjoys boxing, college basketball, NBA and baseball. NASCAR is growing on Justin a little being the fact he's from the South. JersyMikeJr is fast pace, provocative, on the inside and brings the knowledge.
Stories written by SouthernPigskin.com columnists are done independently. Views do not always coincide with those of the remainder of the staff or the ownership of SouthernPigskin.com.
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