Inside the Huddle: 2016 Florida Cornerbacks

deion jackson-hallandale-2016

When it comes to skill position players the state of Florida produces some of the very best in the nation. This year the cornerback position in Florida has a ton of top end prospects. The class of 2016 has names like Trayvon Mullen, Khalil Ladler, Chauncey Gardner and Deion Jackson. We expect these prospects to be rated at the top of the recruiting board. Each of these cornerbacks has the size, speed and athletic ability that college coaches are looking for in a cornerback prospect. ESS will break down the cornerback board and tell you who is also flying under the radar.

1-Trayvon Mullen-Coconut Creek-6’2-160-Mullen has the size (6’2) and great length to play cornerback. He is very fluid for a bigger cornerback. Most of the time you see a cornerback over 6’1 and they struggle to turn and run with a receiver. When they try and flip their hips they struggle. That is not the case with Mullen who not only has the size but also brings the speed and athletic ability that we look for in an elite cornerback. Mullen has all the physical tools to be an elite cornerback in college. (Comparison: Dre Fitzpatrick)

2-Ahmmon Richards-Wellington-6’2-175-(Committed to University of Miami)-Richards is one of the most impressive athletes on the board. He can play receiver, cornerback or safety in college. What makes Richards so impressive is his ability to stop and start so sudden and not lose any momentum. His athletic ability to go along with his size and speed is quite impressive. Richards is not a prospect that you hear much of but there are not many better on the football field then this talented rising senior. Richards was a big reason why Wellington made a run late into the playoffs. (Comparison: Antrel Rolle)

3-Deion Jackson-Hallandale-6’1-180-(Committed to University of Miami)-While Jackson did not play last year, he is about to blow up this spring. He has the size to be an elite cornerback in college. He physically just whips a receiver at the line of scrimmage. He is not the overall athletes as Mullen and Richards who can both start and play at receiver but Jackson may end up a better overall cornerback down the road. He is a raw prospect that does need to continue to work on his technique. (Comparison: Xavier Rhodes)

4-Keyshawn Young-Miami Sr-5’11-175-Young plays both receiver or cornerback but we see him more as a defensive prospect in college. Young will make the WOW type plays on either side of the football. He is very athletic and Young moves around the field like a pin-ball. He is very fluid for a defensive back and that is why we like him at cornerback. What we also like are Young plays the game with a ton of confidence. He does not back down from any challenge. (Comparison: Darius Butler)

5-Chauncey Gardner-Cocoa-5’11-190-(Committed to Florida)-When you meet Gardner you will not come across too many other cornerbacks who are as physically impressive as him. He will end up a three year starter for one of the premier programs in Florida. Gardner does not only have the speed and quickness you look for in a cornerback, he is very physical. Gardner is going to try and get into receivers head and wear them down physically as well. Gardner is an also very good against the run. (Comparison: Janoris Jenkins)

6-Khalil Ladler-IMG Academy-5’11-190-Young transferred in from the state of Georgia to play at IMG Academy. He comes out in a year that has plenty of top end talents at the cornerback position. He is not as long as Mullen, Richards or Jackson. He has good length and can match up against most receivers he faces. (Comparison: PJ Williams)

7-Henry Miller-Gateway-6’3-190-Miller is one of the better athletes on this board. He plays quarterback for Gateway and when the ball is in his hands, Miller makes plays. With his size he may eventually end up playing safety or even linebacker in college. He does not have the top end speed and quickness as some of the other cornerbacks on this board but Miller does have as much upside as any player on this list. We expect him to draw plenty of interest this spring when college coaches roll through his program. (Comparison: Jonathan Banks)

8-KJ Sails-East Bay-5’11-170-Our first look at Sails live was this past weekend. He performed better in the 7 on 7 setting better than some ranked higher then him. Sails has nice size for a cornerback. What we like is his quick feet allow him to stay in front of receivers. (Comparison: Asante Samuel)

9-Tyler Byrd-Naples-5’11-195-(Committed to Miami)-What we like about Byrd is his versatility. He can play receiver, running back and defensive back. He showcases his talents anytime he steps on the field. He is an older prospect for his class so physically there are going to be questions on how much more Byrd can develop. (Comparison: Logan Ryan)

10-James Wiggins-South Dade-5’11-180-(Committed to Miami)-Wiggins is one of the most underrated players in Dade County. You don’t hear much about him but Wiggins started as a sophomore on their championship team. He is now entering his senior season where Wiggins will end up a three year starter for South Dade. He is a play maker on the defensive side of the football. He is another defensive back that can end up at corner, safety or nickel in college. 

11-Craig Watts-Admiral Farragut-5’11-180-Watts is another versatile athlete that can line up at cornerback or safety in college. He is a stout player who can match up against the more physical receivers that Watts will face in college. While he has the size, Watts also displays pretty good speed and quickness for a defensive back. He also changes direction pretty well. (Comparison: Terrance Brooks)

12-Davon Brown-Royal Palm Beach-5’11-180-Brown is a prospect that flown under the radar. This spring we could see him rise up the charts. He has quick feet and fluid hips. He is one of the better cornerbacks that no one talks about. He has the athletic ability to jump out of the gym. Brown has some impressive leaping ability. Brown can challenge bigger receivers. (Comparison: Jimmy Wilson)

13-Malek Young-Coconut Creek-5’10-180-Young is a prospect that can play cornerback or nickel in college. He is not a real long corner but Young is physical and does not mind coming up and playing the run. Early on it was Young that many felt would be a top rated cornerback, since his sophomore season Mullen has passed him by. (Comparison: Mike Harris)

14-Tyrek Tisdale-Oakridge-6’1-190-(Committed to University of Florida)-Tisdale is another versatile athlete. He plays on offense and defense in high school. He is not as fluid as some of the players mentioned above but he does give you more size at the cornerback position. He is a bit raw and still needs to work on his technique. (Comparison: Rashean Mathis)

Don’t Overlook:Keshan Pennamon-University Christian-5’10-190, Brandon Shuman-Gulliver Prep-5’11-175, Donte Carriere Williams-Booker T. Washington-5’9-175, James Aiken-South Plantation-6’2-180, Jaquez Williams-Fletcher-6’0-180, Cedrick Wright-Gulliver Prep-5’10-180 (Committed to Miami)