Continuing my series on players emerging from the shadows in 2023, let’s take a look at the cornerbacks.
1. Kalen King, Penn State
Overshadowed by: Joey Porter Jr., Devon Witherspoon
While his teammate Porter was the guy who got all the headlines in 2022, it was actually King who was the more effective corner. With him and fellow projected first-rounder Witherspoon headed to the draft from the Big Ten, King takes over as CB1 in the conference. He is long and twitchy and one of the best man corners in the entire country.
2. Josh Newton, TCU
Overshadowed by: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
A transfer from ULM before last season, Newton quietly was one of the most effective corners in the pass-happy Big 12. He’s one of the unquestioned leaders of a Horned Frogs team that is out to prove that 2022 wasn’t a fluke.
3. Javon Bullard & Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
Overshadowed by: Kelee Ringo
Neither Bullard nor Lassiter have Ringo’s truly elite physical traits, but both can do it all at the cornerback position. Bullard spent most of 2022 in the slot but projects to move outside opposite Lassiter with Ringo now in the draft. The Dawgs continue to put out elite defenders at all three levels.
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4. Travis Hunter, Colorado
Overshadowed by: All of FBS
The nation’s number one recruit a year ago now has the chance to show why he was so highly rated coming out of high school before committing to Coach Prime and Jackson State. With all four first and second-team All-Pac 12 performers off to the NFL, it’s time for a new era in the conference. Hunter has all the physical tools you could want in a corner, and he’ll get a chance to prove it this fall.
