SDS talent evaluators Jon Cooper and Brad Crawford spent several months breaking down last year’s highlights, incoming talent and projected 2014 impact following spring practice to compile a list of the SEC’s Top 100 players heading into fall. Athletes were selected by position then ranked overall counting down to No. 1.

Stick with SDS throughout summer and get in on the action using the hashtag #SDSTop100 as we unveil a new player daily leading up to opening night on Aug. 28.

48. Deshazor Everett, Sr., CB, Texas A&M

A prolific corner coming off a career-best season, Everett’s precision at attacking the football makes him one of the SEC’s best at the point of contact. He’s a player who seems to always be in the right position to defend or make a play on the ball, doing so without much help.

These qualities sound similar to those of an elite-level safety, but Everett’s strength is in coverage, an every-down competitor against the opposition’s No. 1. Given the opportunity to freelance a bit in the Aggies secondary in his final season could work wonders for a defense rated the SEC’s worst in 2013. Texas A&M gave up a league-high 54 total touchdowns and 475.8 yards per game last fall, numbers that must improve if defensive coordinator Mark Snyder intends on staying another year in College Station.

Considered one of the five best senior corner prospects according to draft guru Mel Kiper, Everett’s ability to lead a much-needed turnaround will depend on the players around him in a personnel group packed with questions. Since Kevin Sumlin’s arrival, the oft-burned Texas A&M defense has relied on point production to offset its glaring deficiencies, but that may not be possible this season with new faces across the board on the other side of the ball.

The SEC’s ‘defense wins championships’ mentality doesn’t mean as much as it used to, but for the Aggies, it’s the only way their going to compete with the likes of Alabama and Auburn in the West this season.

2013 statistics: 68 tackles, 2 INT (two defensive TDs)
2014 projection: 69 tackles, 3 INT