Ranking the SEC’s Top 10 Cornerbacks for the 2025 College Football Season

In modern college football, few positions are as important as cornerback. A shutdown corner can change the completion of a defense. When a defensive coordinator trusts a corner on an island, it makes everything easier for the rest of the unit.

Safeties can help in run support, and playcallers can dial up creative blitzes. If another player in the secondary is struggling, resources can be allocated there because the coaches know the shutdown corner doesn’t need any help.

LSU football fans have become familiar with elite cornerback play over the years. LSU is known as “DBU”, even if the Tigers’ secondary hasn’t been up to standard in recent years. LSU is hoping that changes this year with the addition of some top transfers, along with five-star freshman DJ Pickett.

Cornerback play around the SEC is expected to be strong with several of the top names from 2024 set to return. With kick-off one month away, here’s a look at the SEC’s top cornerbacks for the 2025 football season.

10. Kayin Lee, Auburn

Lee joined Auburn in 2023 as a four-star recruit from Georgia. He saw time as a true freshman, playing 336 snaps, but 2024 was a breakout year for the cornerback. Lee’s 58.0 passer rating targeted ranks second among returning SEC corners, only trailing the guy who is No. 1 on this list.

Lee broke up four passes with two picks and forced seven incompletions. Quarterbacks weren’t afraid to throw his direction, but he made them pay. Opposing offenses completed just 46.9% of passes when throwing at Lee.

9. Domani Jackson, Alabama

Domani Jackson has a strong case to be higher on this list was named Second Team Preseason All-SEC at SEC Media Days. He has the attention of NFL scouts, and with a strong 2025, he’ll be a first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.

Jackson is a former five-star recruit who began his career at USC. 2024 was Jackson’s first year with the Tide, and he broke up five passes while recording two interceptions. Jackson made 15 stops and had a 63.0 passer rating when targeted.

Expect a big year from the talented veteran in 2025.

8. Mansoor Delane, LSU

Delane was one of the top available corners in the transfer portal. With LSU needing help in the secondary, the Tigers made Delane a priority and secured his commitment.

Delane was Third-Team All-ACC with Virginia Tech in 2024. He posted a 69.5 PFF defensive grade and allowed a completion percentage of 47.2%, which ranked seventh among ACC cornerbacks. Delane is a big and physical corner who will replace Zy Alexander in the boundary.

Delane has a knack for forcing turnovers with six career picks and four forced fumbles.

“Mansoor Delane has been very, very impactful at the cornerback position,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said.

7. Zabien Brown, Alabama

Jackson wasn’t the only Alabama corner to make this list — he’s joined by teammate Zabien Brown.

Brown made an instant impact as a five-star freshman in 2024. He played 660 snaps and posted a PFF coverage grade of 70.8. Brown’s allowed completion percentage of 45% ranks fourth among returning SEC cornerbacks and he allowed a reception once per 18.7 coverage snaps. That’s close to an elite mark.

Now, as Brown enters his sophomore year, he looks to take another step. If he progresses at this rate, he has a chance to be the best corner in the SEC by season’s end.

6. Eli Bowen, Oklahoma

Bowen’s 78.7 PFF coverage grade ranks second among returning SEC cornerbacks. He was a three-star recruit, but he exceeded all expectations and made a massive impact as a true freshman. Bowen served as a rotational piece early in the year, but took over as a starter in week seven and didn’t look back.

Bowen stands at 5-foot-9, but he punches above his weight and can play on the outside.

LSU got the best of Bowen, targeting him for 115 yards. But it’s hard to find any blemishes outside of that. Look for Bown to emerge as a star in 2025.

5. Daylen Everette, Georgia

Daylen Everette earned First Team Preseason All-SEC honors at media days. The veteran Georgia cornerback has over 1,600 snaps under his belt after three years with the Bulldawgs and now looks to have a career campaign as a senior.

Everette has eight career pass breakups with four picks. Three of those picks came in 2024, when Everette posted a 73.3 PFF coverage grade. Everette forced two fumbles and registered a sack, too.

Georgia needs Everette to perform at a superstar level as the Dawgs look to get back to playing national championship-level defense after the unit was down a tick in 2024.

4. Will Lee, Texas A&M

Lee was one of the top-ranked transfers in last year’s transfer class. Texas A&M was searching for an impact corner and got just what it was looking for.

Lee posted a 71.8 coverage grade and allowed just 47.2% of targets to be completed, which was one of the best marks in the SEC. Standing at 6-foot-3, Lee is one of the most physical corners in the conference. Despite just being in college for two years, Lee has already played 1,000+ snaps of quality football.

Lee has the upside to be an All-American and a first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.

3. Malik Muhammad, Texas

Muhammad has big shoes to fill. Star Texas corner Jhadae Barron is off to the NFL, leaving Muhammad as the feature piece in the secondary.

Muhammad was a highly touted recruit in the class of 2023, just missing the cut to be a five-star. He broke up nine passes in 2024, which is tied for the best mark among returning SEC cornerbacks. He can blanket receivers and opponents only completed 50% of passes when throwing his way.

Muhammad has the talent to be an All-American corner. Texas needs Muhammad to play at that level with the departure of Barron.

2. Jay Crawford, Auburn

I’m doing some projection here after Crawford’s stellar true freshman campaign. But the numbers back it up.

Crawford’s forced incompletion rate of 28% ranks No. 1 among returning SEC corners. His allowed completion percentage of 40.6% is also the best mark in that group. He only allowed 13 catches all year with 19.1 snaps/reception, ranking second among returning SEC corners.

Crawford played just 267 snaps, fewer than most of the guys on this list, but he’ll be a full-time starter in 2025. His lone bad game came vs. Texas A&M, where he allowed over 100 yards, but Crawford was near perfect outside of that.

I expect Crawford to be All-American in 2025.

1. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Jermod McCoy transferred to Tennessee ahead of 2024 after a standout freshman campaign with Oregon State in 2023. The adjustment to the SEC was seamless as McCoy emerged as one of the top defenders in the conference.

McCoy broke up six passes and picked off four. McCoy was targeted a lot, 62 times, but he was a playmaker when the ball was thrown his way. He forced 12 incompletions, which was one of the best marks in the SEC.

There’s one hang-up here, though. McCoy tore his ACL in January, and there’s a chance he’s not ready for week one. But that’s not enough to keep McCoy out of the top spot. Assuming McCoy’s recovery is smooth, he’s the best corner in this conference.

Tennessee’s defense was stout in 2024, and while some key pieces are gone, McCoy gives them a chance to be top-notch again in 2025.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Ranking the SEC’s top 10 cornerbacks for the 2025 season

Source link