The SEC’s cornerback duos to watch for 2014
The SEC has a long history of top cornerbacks in recent years. Patrick Peterson, Morris Claiborne, Dee Milliner and Dre Kirkpatrick quickly come to mind.
The conference returns some top corners, including Florida All-American Vernon Hargreaves, who could be the top corner in college football, but he lacks a proven counterpart. True freshmen Jalen Tabor or Duke Dawson could be that guy, as could Brian Poole. The Gators will have another top defensive backfield, but Hargreaves’ counterpart has yet to emerge.
Here’s a look at five top cornerback combos for 2014:
1. Tre’Davious White and Rashard Robinson, LSU
2013 combined stats: 71 tackles, 3 INTs, 13 passes defended
Bring it: LSU may have the best young corner combo in college football. Rising sophomores Tre’Davious White and Rashard Robinson are the next future NFL corners the Tigers will develop within the system. LSU was the SEC’s DB U during the BCS era, developing players like Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne, and White and Robinson may be two of the best during the Les Miles era. White was an All-SEC freshman performer, while Robinson may be the best kept secret at corner.
2. Jamerson Love and Taveze Calhoun, Mississippi State
2013 combined stats: 72 tackles, 6 INTs, 17 passes defended
Bring it: MSU’s defense may be the most underrated unit in the SEC. Benardrick McKinney and Chris Jones get most of the pub, but the Bulldogs’ secondary has been a staple the last few years. Jamerson Love and Taveze Calhoun combined for an impressive six picks last season. Love is a burner in the secondary, while Calhoun is as close to a lockdown as any player in the league. Together, Love and Calhoun combine to create a duo that will turn your head this fall.
3. Senquez Golson and Mike Hilton, Ole Miss
2013 combined stats: 93 tackles, 3 INTs, 7 pass breakups
Bring it: Ole Miss’ secondary strength is bolstered by safeties Cody Prewitt, Trae Elston and husky Tony Conner. Senquez Golson has solidified himself at one corner, while Mike Hilton is a nice No. 2 corner opposite Golson. The Rebels’ secondary makeup is one of the strongest in the country, and Golson and Hilton could make it even better. All the ingredients are there for the Rebels’ defensive secondary to excel.
4. De’Vante Harris and Deshazor Everett, Texas A&M
2013 combined stats: 129 tackles, 3 INTs, 18 pass breakups
Bring it: Texas A&M’s defense last year was soft, but the front seven overshadowed a decent secondary. Now, it’s a veteran secondary, headlined by cornerbacks De’Vante Harris and Deshazor Everett, who racked up a combined 129 tackles last season. The Aggies’ defense has to show marked improvement this season, but the defensive secondary led by the cornerbacks should be a strength for Kevin Sumlin and Mark Snyder.
5. Cameron Sutton and Justin Coleman, Tennessee
2013 combined stats: 85 tackles, 3 INTs, 17 passes defended
Bring it: Rising sophomore Cam Sutton was thrown into the fire last season as a true freshman. Tennessee needed bodies, and Sutton was there to fill the void. He didn’t just fill the void; he has All-SEC potential. Senior Justin Coleman helps solidify the secondary, and he’s a veteran the young defense can lean on. Coleman’s game is good, but Sutton has the opportunity to become an All-SEC first-ballot corner this fall.