2009 DRAFT PROSPECTS: The Cornerbacks

[MrBigglesworth]

2009 TOP CORNERBACK PROSPECTS

[MrBigglesworth]

#1

Bryan Collins, Auburn, Sr. (5'10", 173, age 24) - 2008 stats (2 Int, 14 PD, 19 PC, 48 tackles)
Collins was a 4 year starter for Auburn and the much honored corner ended up making one All-American team, two first team All-SEC teams, one second team All-SEC team, an SEC All-Academic team, and an All-Senior team. In his 50 starts for the Tigers, Collins amassed 200 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 16 interceptions, and 65 defensed passes. The Michigan native was also a force on special teams, taking back three punts and one kickoff for touchdowns in his career. However, his stats showed little improvement over his career, leading many scouts to wonder if he has peaked as a player. In fact, statistically, his senior year may have been his worst year of them all. This could make him fall on many draft boards.

AS SCOUTED (in college): 95/95
STRENGTHS: Zone defenses
WEAKNESSES: Intercepting passes
OTHER NOTES: --
PROJECTION: Mid to late first round[/b][/b]

[MrBigglesworth]

#2

Matt Springer, UCLA, Sr. (5'9", 204, age 23) - 2008 stats (2 Int, 9 PD, 12 PC, 29 tackles)
This shut-down corner of the National Champion Bruins was a virtual unknown to college fans not living on the west coast until the last day of the college season. Springer had one of the best games of his career in the National Championship game against Penn State, ending up with a sack and an interception returned for a dazzling seventy yards for the touchdown that iced the game for UCLA. His stellar play in the finale has led many scouts to believe that opposing teams focused on immensely talented but raw sophomore corner Freddie Bayer on the opposite side of the field, lessening Springer’s numbers. His size could lead to him making the switch to safety in the IFL.

AS SCOUTED (in college): 61/64
STRENGTHS: Punt returning
WEAKNESSES: M2M defense
OTHER NOTES: --
PROJECTION: Late first round or early second

[MrBigglesworth]

#3

Brad Blackshear, Texas, Sr. (5'10", 187, age 25) - 2008 stats (1 Int, 13 PD, 21 PC, 38 tackles)
This four year starter was destined to be a first round draft pick in the IFL before he was declared academically ineligible for the 2007 season. Two fantastic seasons in 2005 and 2006 were followed by a mediocre one in 2008, causing speculation that he lost his passion for the game. The sparks that were there in prior years though, including one season where he returned three interceptions for over 210 yards and 3 touchdowns, has kept his draft status up.

AS SCOUTED (in college): 81/81
STRENGTHS: Run defense
WEAKNESSES: Intercepting passes
OTHER NOTES: --
PROJECTION: Late first round or early second

[MrBigglesworth]

#4

Andy Starks, Stanford, Sr. (5'11", 175, age 22) - 2008 stats (1 Int, 5 PD, 18 PC, 25 tackles)
Starks’ high ratings have consistently failed to produce good numbers on the field. A four year starter for Stanford, but was only healthy for 26 games in 4 years, getting hurt each year. Not highly regarded out of high school, Starks showed flashes of brilliance in practice that his nagging injuries refused to let manifest on gameday. If he can stay healthy he could produce for an IFL team, but that is a big if.

AS SCOUTED (in college): 95/95
STRENGTHS: Kick returning
WEAKNESSES: Punt returning
OTHER NOTES: --
PROJECTION: Second or third round