Preseason 25 Best Cornerbacks
1. Fred Bennett, Sr. South Carolina
2. Daymeion Hughes, Sr. California
3. Antoine Cason, Jr. Arizona
4. DeAndre Jackson, Sr. Iowa State
5. Tarell Brown, Sr. Texas
6. John Talley, Sr., Duke
7. Kenny Scott, Sr., Georgia Tech
8. Darrelle Revis, Jr. Pitt
9. Justin King, Soph. Penn State
10. David Irons, Sr. Auburn
11. Marquice Cole, Sr. Northwestern
12. Marcus Hamilton, Sr., Virginia
13. Leon Hall, Sr. Michigan
14. Robert Herbert, Sr. Colorado St
15. Eric Wright, Jr. UNLV
16. Josh Wilson, Sr. Maryland
17. Tanard Jackson, Sr. Syracuse
18. Mike Mickens, Soph. Cincinnati
19. Terrell Maze, Sr. San Diego St
20. Mike Jenkins, Jr. South Florida
21. Chaz Williams, Jr. UL Monroe
22. Joe Burnett, Soph. UCF
23. William Gay, Sr. Louisville
24. Bradley Robinson, Jr. MTSU
25. Jack Williams, Jr., Kent State
2006 CFN Preseason First Team All-Americans
Fred Bennett, Sr. South Carolina - 31 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 10 broken up passesAt 6-1 and 199 pounds with lights-out speed, Bennett will emerge as one of the SEC's best corners this year and is the next top NFL prospect from the USC defensive backfield. He has been steady over the last two seasons with good open-field tackling ability, seven interceptions and 13 broken up passes.
Daymeion Hughes, Sr. California - 62 tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 broken up passes, 1.5 TFLThe first-team All-Pac 10 star of last year should be blossom into a superstar this season. He's an experienced defender with 118 tackles and seven career interceptions, and he put it all together with a fantastic 2005 turning into the lock-down corner the defense was looking for. At 6-2 and 188 pounds he's a great-sized corner with the speed to stay with just about any receiver in the conference.
2006 CFN Preseason Second Team All-Americans
Antoine Cason, Jr. Arizona - 50 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 3 interceptions, 5 broken up passesOne of the Pac 10's best all-around defenders from his first snap as a freshman, Cason has made 120 tackles and picked off seven interceptions in his first two seasons. He's a fantastic open-field, safety-like tackler with more than enough speed to make big plays all over the field and be a lockdown, number one corner on the strongside.
DeAndre Jackson, Sr. Iowa State - 55 tackles, 5 interception, 8 broken up passes, 1 TFL, 4 forced fumblesOne of the best defensive backs in the Big 12, the 6-0, 192-pound senior hits like a safety and covers like a corner. He'll get beat taking a lot of chances, but it's worth it with all the big plays he makes both against the run and when the ball is in the air. He's simply a tremendous all-around playmaker.
2006 CFN Honorable Mention All-Americans
(in alphabetical order) Tarell Brown, Sr. Texas - 70 tackles, 1 interception, 8 broken up passes, 2 TFLArguably the best unsung cornerback in the Big 12, Brown has 24 career starts as one of the team's top cover-corner over the last few seasons. He saved his best game for last cranking out ten tackles against USC showing off the hitting ability that could eventually make him an NFL safety.
David Irons, Sr. Auburn - 48 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 11 broken up passesThe former JUCO transfer got another year of eligibility thanks to missing 2004 with a knee injury. He recovered to be one of the SEC's best corners last season becoming a solid lock-down coverman to go along while growing into sure tackler highlighted by an 11-stop day against Wisconsin. He's not huge, but he hits like a bigger player and is fast enough to handle any SEC receiver. He's the brother of Auburn star RB Kenny Irons.
Justin King, Soph. Penn State - 11 tackles, 2 broken up passes, 10 catches, 126 yds, 2 TDOne of last year's top recruits turned into a nice backup corner and a dangerous receiver spending most of his time on offense over the second half of last season. He's a fantastic all-around athlete with next level speed and enough size to handle himself well against the bigger receivers. While he wasn't able to crack the starting lineup last season. He'll be expected to become the team's best cover-corner taking over for Anwar Phillips on the right side.
Darrelle Revis, Jr. Pitt - 41 tackles, 4 interceptions, 9 broken up passesOne of the best corners in the Big East, Revis did a little of everything well last season including return punts. He's a ball-hawker both against the pass and the run with the size to be a sure tackler and the speed to be a shut down defender. He should go from being an All-Big East performer to earning a bigger national profile.
Kenny Scott, Sr. Georgia Tech - 56 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 broken up passes, 1 TFLScott needs to be a rock with all the movement going on in the Tech secondary. A steady starter for the last two seasons with a great combination of 6-2, 185-pound size and good speed, he can hit like a safety with an impressive ten tackle game to his credit against Virginia.
John Talley, Sr. Duke - 50 tackles, 5 interceptions, 8 broken up passesProbably the best cornerback you haven't seen, Talley is an extraordinary ball-hawker with 11 career interceptions and 22 broken up passes over the last two seasons. He's a tough tackler who's always around the ball, and he has to make sure he can hold up after having problems with his shoulder last year requiring off-season surgery. He's way too valuable to be gone for any stretch of time.
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