We take a look at the ACC’s top Cornerbacks for 2013. These are guys that are going try to lock down your passing games. Let’s find out who they are.
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1) Ross Cockrell, Duke
Here’s exhibit A of how David Cutcliffe has improved the talent base at Duke. The Blue Devils have the best the Defensive Back in the ACC in Ross Cockrell. Cockrell is coming a All-ACC First Team season. He earned honorable mention All-American honors from Sports Illustrated while having 5 interceptions and 71 tackles. I’ve seen hims projected as mid 2nd to 3rd round pick in next years NFL draft. With a strong season he has a shot at the 1st round.
2) Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
It’s would seem odd to list a player that’s starting full time at CB for the first time as the ACC’s second best cornerback. That’s not the case when talking about a player the caliber of Lamarcus Joyner. He’s was a first team All-ACC safety last year. Joyner is only 5-8, but is a physical hitter with good instincts. He is on both the Thorpe and Lott pre-season Watch Lists. Mock NFL drafts I’ve seen have him going in the 2nd or 3rd round.
3) Demetrious Nicholson, Virginia
Demtrious Nicholson is a fast rising star at cornerback. The junior made several All-ACC pre-season lists. Last season he tied for the lead in the ACC with 15 pass breakups. In 2011 he was a 2nd Team Yahoo freshman All-American. He is a sub 4.5 40 so your probably not getting behind Nicholson either. At only 170 lbs you might question Nicholson’s durability, but that isn’t the case. He started all 12 of Virginia’s games last year.
4) Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
I like Antone Exum alot. He was 2nd team All-ACC pick last season. At 6-2 219 Exum is a big CB that NFL scouts love. If Exum hadn’t torn his ACL, he would be sitting at number 2 on this list with the potential to be the ACC’s top Cornerback. I’m going to assume Exum can get close to his pre-injury form where he and Kyle Fuller form one of the best pair of corners in the ACC. He had 5 interceptions last year and was the 2012 Russel Athletic Bowl MVP.
5) Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
Wake Forest has a rock solid cornerback in Kevin Johnson. Johnson was an honorable mention All-ACC selection last season. At 6-1, he has good height for CB. He finished in the top 10 in the country in passes defended with 18. That was 1 off the Wake Forest school record. The junior finished 58 tackles last season.
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