One shutdown cornerback or playmaking safety usually has moved to the top of scouts' board by the midway point of the college football season. That hasn't been the case in 2007, making it likely that hordes of underclassmen will test the NFL waters.
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| DeJuan Tribble has 15 career interceptions, including four this season. (Getty Images) |
The top of the safety board is similarly muddled. In-the-box intimidators (Josh Barrett, Jamar Adams) and playmaking centerfielders (Jonathan Hefney, Quentin Demps) are available, but teams likely will be looking at collegiate cornerbacks Simeon Castille (Alabama) and Antoine Cason (Arizona) to make the transition to safety to boost what appears to be a rather average class.
An in-depth look at my current Top 12 senior defensive backs for the 2008 draft:
1. DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College, 5-9, 190, 4.49 (40-yard dash)
Tribble doesn't have the size scouts prefer, but he has the speed to run with receivers and has explosive quickness to close on the ball to make the game-changing interception. He has 15 career interceptions and the confidence-bordering-on-cockiness that NFL corners must have to survive.
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| Terrell Thomas (Getty Images) |
Despite Pete Carroll's defensive background, few highly ranked cornerbacks have come from USC during his tenure. Thomas, in fact, could be the best in Carroll's time with the Trojans. Thomas has only marginal acceleration, which coupled with his size makes a move to safety possible at the next level, but he has proven to be a defensive stopper, typically shutting down his side of the field.
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| D. Rodgers-Cromartie (Provided to CBSSports.com) |
Only questions about Rodgers-Cromartie's level of competition keeps him from being ranked higher. A spectacular all-around athlete, Rodgers-Cromartie captured first place finishes in the 60-yard dash (6.89), long jump (25-00.75) and high jump (6-09.5) and led the Ohio Valley Conference last season with six interceptions.
A strong showing at a senior all-star game could catapult him into the first round.
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| Simeon Castille (Getty Images) |
Castille may just be the top cornerback in the SEC. Questions about his deep speed, however, have scouts looking at him as a potential free safety prospect as well.
Castille's instincts and big-play ability (five interceptions, three forced fumbles last year) make him a good fit at either position. He has two interceptions through seven games this season.
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| Antoine Cason (Getty Images) |
Cason has been a Pac-10 standout throughout his career, earning all-conference accolades after each of his first three seasons as a starter.
Blessed with excellent size and reliable open-field tackling, Cason makes the most sense as a Cover-2 corner or free safety, as he lacks elite downfield speed.
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| J. Hefney (Getty Images) |
Hefney is currently starting at free safety for the Vols, but scouts feel his size will be less of a hindrance at cornerback at the next level. Though short, Hefney flashes explosiveness as a hitter and is a proven big-play specialist as a defender (10 career interceptions) and returner (8.5-yard career punt return average with eight kickoff returns for 138 yards).
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| Mike Jenkins (Getty Images) |
Blessed with prototype size and timed speed for the position, Jenkins is a major reason for South Florida's ascension in the polls. A veteran of 28 starts entering this season, Jenkins needs to continue to work on turning opportunities into interceptions.
Of the 29 passes he had broken up entering this season, only three were intercepted. He has added a pair of interceptions through six games as a senior and has been credited with seven passes defensed.
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| Tracy Porter (Getty Images) |
Those looking for a diamond in the rough may want to keep an eye on Porter. His spectacular speed and athleticism have scouts raving, though in the past he has struggled with consistency. Scouts also want to see him play with more physicality and aggression in run support.
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| Tom Zbikowski (Getty Images) |
Despite Notre Dame's struggles this season, scouts remain high on Zbikowski. Athletic enough to be the Irish's primary punt returner, Zbikowski is a reliable open-field tackler who is at his best near the line of scrimmage.
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| J. Barrett (AP) |
Teams looking for a classic in-the-box strong safety in the mold of Dallas' Roy Williams will appreciate Barrett. He has struggled with thigh and pectoral strains for much of the first half of the season, limiting his effectiveness, but he possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism that screams upside.
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| Jamar Adams (Getty Images) |
With so much attention heaped upon Michigan's early-season losses, not a lot has been made about Adams' production. He has enjoyed a bit of a breakout campaign. Another strong safety whose specialty is run support, Adams has improved his coverage as a senior and is moving up the charts. He has two interceptions, is averaging five tackles per game and is third in the Big Ten with seven passes defensed.
12. Quentin Demps, UTEP, 6-0, 205, 4.53
With 15 career interceptions, including three this season, Demps has proven himself to be one of the nation's leading ballhawks at free safety. While he isn't the explosive hitter scouts prefer at the position, his ability to create turnovers will likely result in a first-day selection come April. It doesn't hurt that he has experience as a kick returner (24.1-yard career average, one touchdown) and punt returner (10.6, one touchdown).
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, published by The Sports Xchange.
