Top 25 cornerback rankings entering Week 8 of college football
After another weekend of college football we finally have a new leader atop the cornerback rankings following Week 7. And the move is less about what the previous No. 1 did than what the newcomer has shown consistently.
Missouri‘s Kris Abrams-Draine has grabbed the top spot from Colorado‘s Travis Hunter, but there’s plenty more to discuss this week as the rankings shifted up.
Without further ado let’s dig into the weekly cornerback rankings and see how the latest action has shifted things going into Week 8.
1. Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
The Missouri cornerback just continues to get his hands on passes this season, doing so again in a big win over Kentucky on Saturday. Abrams-Draine got his hand on one pass and picked off another, his fourth interception in the last five games.
Through the first seven games of the season, the talented Missouri cornerback has logged 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, four interceptions and nine pass breakups. His nine pass breakups lead the nation, while his interception total ranks second.
2. Travis Hunter, Colorado
Hunter made his return from a lacerated liver against Stanford and once again immediately looked the part of one of the nation’s best dual-threat players. He was heavily involved on offense with 13 catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
But he was also active on defense, where he secured five tackles in the game. Hunter isn’t being thrown at a ton when he’s on the field, with most opponents trying their luck on the other side when he’s suiting up.
3. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
McKinstry had a much quieter weekend this time out, recording just one tackle in a win over Arkansas. The Crimson Tide weren’t tested a ton through the air in the contest, one of the reasons for McKinstry’s smaller numbers.
Still, he’s been quite good on the season, even though he has yet to record an interception. McKinstry has 18 tackles, 1.0 tackles for a loss and four pass breakups through the first seven games of the season.
4. Cooper DeJean, Iowa
DeJean didn’t manage to come up with an interception this week, after recording interceptions in each of the last two games. He was targeted a decent amount and gave up 61 yards in a win over Wisconsin, also tallying three tackles and a tackle for a loss in the game.
On the season the talented Iowa cornerback has recorded 36 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions and five passes defended. He’s been one of the more influential players on a very good Hawkeyes defense.
5. Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Burke had a relatively quiet game against Purdue, though he was targeted a handful of times. He gave up four catches but for just 30 total yards, managing to keep most everything in front of him. He also broke up a pass.
That pass breakup gave him a total of seven on the season, not far off the national lead. Add in eight tackles, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and an interception and Burke is having a pretty solid season, maintaining a quality spot on this cornerback rankings list.
6. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Morrison had an up-and-down game against USC and has been targeted a good bit the last couple weeks. He’s given up a touchdown in each of the last two weeks but has also made some big plays, like an interception against the Trojans.
Through eight games, Morrison has recorded 20 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, eight passes defended and two interceptions. He’s done a nice job for the Fighting Irish in the secondary, proving quite disruptive.
7. Willie Roberts, LA Tech
The versatile Louisiana Tech defender has proven remarkably adept at getting his hands on passes, right near the national lead in that category. In the past three games he has recorded six pass breakups.
After a slower start to the season as a tackler, too, Roberts has been involved quite a bit of late. He has tallied 31 tackles on the year, to go along with a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, an interception and 10 pass breakups.
8. DJ James, Auburn
James put on a clinic in a win against LSU, despite the incredibly tricky matchup. He allowed just 15 yards receiving and also picked off a pass, just his second interception on the season.
On the year, James’ totals are up to 18 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions and two pass breakups. He hasn’t been quite as active getting his hands on balls as some of the others in this cornerback rankings list, but he’s still been quite good.
9. Mike Sainristil, Michigan
The Michigan star continues to turn in solid outings, and this weekend against Indiana was no different. For the second straight week, Sainristil managed to get his hands on a pass in the secondary, bringing his season total to three pass breakups.
As far as his overall production for Michigan, Sainristil has logged 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, a sack, two interceptions and three pass breakups. He’s also recorded two quarterback hurries.
10. TJ Tampa, Iowa State
Tampa managed to get his hands on a pass for the third straight game, recording a pass breakup along with an interception, his second of the season. Tampa also logged three tackles in the game against Cincinnati.
The disruptive defensive back has logged 26 tackles on the season, while also picking off two passes and breaking up six more. He’s also responsible for one quarterback hurry.
Top 25 Cornerbacks 11-25
11. Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas
12. Kalen King, Penn State
13. Josh Newton, TCU
14. Kamal Hadden, Tennessee
15. Khyree Jackson, Oregon
16. Terrion Arnold, Alabama
17. Jahdae Barron, Texas
18. Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State
19. Christian Roland-Wallace, USC
20. Micah Abraham, Marshall
21. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
22. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
23. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
24. Sebastian Castro, Iowa
25. Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina
Three players on this list recorded interceptions this weekend, with Hadden, Hairston and Casto all securing picks. The interception for Hairston was his nation-leading fifth. Meanwhile, there are a pair of newcomers to the list this week: Castro and Mitchell. All that promises plenty of future movement in the cornerback rankings as more and more players show what they’re capable of. So stay tuned.