CB class has serious size, attitude

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We would argue that at the high school level, cornerbacks are the toughest players to evaluate and project. More and more cornerbacks are transition players at the next level, meaning they are not playing much on defense. Instead, they are probably being utilized as Wildcat QBs or undersized running backs. Combine that with the fact that high school film of the secondary is very difficult to evaluate -- and that prospects who are actually playing corner rarely get challenged -- and you are left with a risky projection.

Also keep in mind that this is why so many prospects from the athlete category end up playing corner, especially if they are undersized.

This year's crop of corners is fairly impressive based on size alone. Six of the top 10 prospects are 5-foot-11 or taller, which is important to note when it comes to matching up with today's 6-2-and-taller wide receiver, especially in the red zone. Many cornerbacks in the 2012 class lacking ideal size are still very aggressive and productive in run support. Tough and feisty prospects such as Terry Richardson (Detroit/Cass Tech) and Bryson Echols (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) like to mix it up.

The top three corners in this class remain uncommitted, and it's one of the more coveted overall positions from a recruiting standpoint.

Top prospects

Howard

Geno Smith (Atlanta/Saint Pius X Catholic)
5-11, 170
College: Undeclared
This is a guy who puts himself into position to make plays with technique and savvy. Smith has size to match up, but will need to add bulk to outmuscle big, physical wideouts. He is the type of corner who thrives one-on-one, and almost baits quarterbacks into making wrong decisions. Runs the route for the receiver and is very balanced, fluid and capable of recovering if caught out of position. His ball skills are highly coveted, and he knows what to do with the rock in his hands.

Yuri Wright (Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco Prep)
6-1, 185
College: Undeclared
Wright is very reminiscent of Class of 2010 corner DeMarcus Milliner (Alabama) as he looks like a safety, and can not only cover, but also is very scheme-versatile. Corners with his height and hips are simply rare. He is long and rangy, and plays with a ball hawk's mentality. He covers a lot of ground, and runs extremely well. We feel he can hold up on an island, and also lock down in the red zone on the jump ball with his excellent measurables. Wright could play all secondary positions and match up very well inside as a nickel. On a very talented Don Bosco team, we feel Wright has the best college upside.

The rest

Courtesy of Davide De PasDefensive back Bryson Echols will join a loaded group when he comes to Texas next season.

Bryson Echols (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto)
5-9, 165
College: Texas
When first watching Echols on tape earlier this spring, Greg Reid (FSU), the No. 2 rated corner in the 2009 class, came to mind. They have similar size and quickness, but it was the intangibles and football smarts we saw that drew the real comparison. Echols' ball-awareness skills are outstanding. He knows where he is on the field at all times, and also has a feel for breaking receivers and where the quarterback is going with the ball. Texas has a good one in Echols, a corner who is mentally prepared to play the position at the next level, which is exceptional out of high school.

Joshua Holsey (Fairburn, Ga./Creekside)
5-10, 175
College: Auburn
Holsey is a defender who flew under the national radar in the early going, but he didn't get by the Tigers, who were his first SEC offer. Hard to imagine that a corner with blazing speed and range could be considered an early sleeper. This guy is very explosive closing on the ball, making safety a possibility with his size. But he has already amassed close to 20 career interceptions, demonstrating the excellent ball skills coaches want on the perimeter. Holsey should offer DC Ted Roof great scheme versatility on the Plains.

Notes

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Billy Tucker

Scouts, Football Recruiting

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• Recruiting coordinator for ESPN RecruitingNation.
• Nearly a decade of college coaching experience.
• Was recruiting coordinator at nationally-ranked Division II colleges.