Morris Claiborne, CB

Every NFL General Manager spent time studying the LSU Tigers' secondary in 2010 because of top-five prospect cornerback Patrick Peterson. But opposing offensive coordinators also knew throwing towards Claiborne was no picnic, either. Though he's still learning the position, the 20 year-old Louisiana native has great upside that could manifest itself in 2011.

"Mo" actually came to Baton Rouge as a successful high school wide receiver, but LSU coaches moved him to cornerback a week into fall practices. He played in seven games as a true freshman, making seven tackles, before becoming the full-time starter in 2010. He earned second-team All-SEC honors as a sophomore, ranking third in the conference with five interceptions and deflecting six other passes, and was downright dominant as an All-SEC cover man in 2011.

Claiborne's breakout season in 2010 opposite first-round pick Patrick Peterson was no fluke. He proved in '11 his elite coverage skills might have inflated Peterson's value, not vice versa. While Claiborne came to Baton Rouge as a receiver, he's leaving as a lockdown cornerback worthy of a top-10 pick. There is no finesse in his game and his physical tools -- height, long arms, natural flexibility and lateral movement -- plus bump-and-run experience will expedite his ascension to Pro Bowl-level starter as his body matures.

Man Coverage: Size, quick feet and reach allow him to be effective in press, press-bail and "off" coverage. Rarely loses a step off the line because of his length and subtle knack for maintaining contact on the move. Packs a solid punch when extending near the line to re-route receivers. Gives up significant weight and mass to top NFL receivers. Lazy and high in his backpedal on occasion, receivers lull him to sleep and get a step on him with a quick move.

Zone Coverage: Used primarily in man. Has the physical tools to handle zone and is not contact-shy. Doesn't give up many yards after the catch -- long arms to pull down receivers and intensity to stick his nose in the pile. Recovers well but overestimates his closing speed and angle in zone.

Ball Skills: Former receiver has the hands to make difficult catches and will jump routes. Comfortable with the ball, elusive and has good vision after the catch. Often plays the man and doesn't get his head around to find the ball.

Run Support: Used on run blitzes on occasion with size and length as a tackler. Holds up his man, maintains outside leverage, and sheds to make the tackle if needed on most plays. Has to be aware of coverage call and avoid overpursuit, giving up the sideline.

Tackling: Arm length and tenacious attitude make him a solid, if not fearsome, tackler on the edge. Height and flexibility to attack the thigh of opponents instead of needing to cut or grab an ankle. Not afraid to throw a shoulder but will miss tackles if he doesn't wrap in the NFL.

Intangibles: Stood up well to being targeted by teams in 2010 while playing across from Patrick Peterson. Still learning the position, but coaches and teammates consider him a great student.

One of the nation's elite cornerbacks called by many as the best cornerback in the SEC in 2011 … Tremendous speed with shutdown skills and size … Teamed with Patrick Peterson as a sophomore to form one of the nation's best corner tandems and arguably the best tandem in school history … Recognized as a unanimous First-Team All-America selection, receiving first team honors from the AFCA Coaches', Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation … Captured the Jim Thorpe Award that goes to the nation's top defensive back, marking the second-straight season LSU has won the award after Patrick Peterson won in 2010 … Has started 25 games in his career at cornerback … Has handled kickoff return duties for the Tigers … In 32 career games, he has notched 90 tackles, 12 pass breakups and 11 interceptions … Tied for seventh for most interceptions in a single season with six and ranks sixth in LSU history with 11 career INTs, tying Greg Jackson (1985-88), Tory James (1992-95) and Craig Steltz (2004-07) … His 173 interception return yards this season ranks third in a single season at LSU, and the 274 career return yards is second most in school history, only trailing Craig Steltz's 286.

Started all 13 games … Leads the nation in interception return yards with 173 … Ranks second in the SEC and ninth nationally with six INTs … Ranks fourth in the SEC in kickoff return average at 26.1 yards a return … Recorded an interception for the second-straight game against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and returned the INT 45 yards for a touchdown … Earned his fifth interception of the season and 10th of his career against Arkansas … Picked off a pass, tallied a PBU and registered three total tackles at Alabama … Recorded the third-longest INT return in school history and the longest non-scoring return with an 89-yard INT return at Tennessee, and he also added two PBUs … His 89 interception return yards at Tennessee tie him for fifth place in LSU single-game INT return yards … Returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown at West Virginia and added four tackles and one PBU on defense … Became the first Tiger to return a kickoff at least 99 yards since Eric Martin had a 100-yard return against Kentucky in 1981.

Named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week after he locked down half the field at Mississippi State with two interceptions and one pass breakup … Became the first LSU player to record two INTs in a game since he and Patrick Peterson both did it last year against MSU … Led the team with his second-straight game of six tackles against Northwestern State and also tallied a tackle for loss and a QB hurry … Recorded six tackles - five solo - in the opener against Oregon and also made his debut as a kickoff returner where he returned four kicks for 99 yards and a long of 39.

Second-Team All-SEC (AP, Coaches). .. Enjoyed a breakout season at left cornerback and statistically ranked among the best in the SEC … Started 12 games and did not play in the ULM contest … A second-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press and league's coaches … Led the team and ranked fourth in the SEC with 11 passes defended … Picked off a team-high five passes, which ranked third in the SEC … Finished the year with 37 tackles and one tackle for loss … Was second on the squad in pass breakups with six … Became the first Tiger since LaRon Landry in 2006 to post back-to-back games with an interception when he picked off a pass against Florida and McNeese State … Recorded his first two career interceptions against Mississippi State with 57 return yards combined … Posted a career-high eight tackles, including one TFL against Ole Miss … Intercepted his fifth pass of the season at Arkansas and also tallied a PBU … Shut down his side of the field against McNeese State with one interception and a career-best three PBUs to go with one tackle … Tallied two solo tackles and picked off a pass and returned it 15 yards at Florida … The interception set up a go-ahead score for the Tigers in the third quarter … Also returned one kickoff 32 yards against the Gators … Recovered a fumble at Auburn … Made his first career start at cornerback against North Carolina and posted five tackles.

Played in seven games with no starts as a true freshman … Finished the year with seven tackles … Began fall camp at receiver for LSU and moved to cornerback just a week into fall drills … Ended up as LSU's No. 2 right cornerback behind Patrick Peterson … Notched three tackles against Tulane and two tackles against Auburn.

Outstanding athlete who had experience at quarterback, defensive back and wide receiver … Rated the No. 28 athlete by ESPNU … Named to the Louisiana Top 40 by SuperPrep Magazine … Named to the New Orleans Times-Picayune Blue-Chip list and the Baton Rouge Advocate's Super Dozen … As a senior, accounted for over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns as a quarterback … Passed for 1009 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 1,023 yards and 16 touchdowns … Was a three-time All-District selection at receiver and defensive back … Also played basketball, baseball and ran track in high school … Named Shreveport-Bossier Male High School Athlete of the Year by the Shreveport Times as a sophomore … Won the 4A state title in the 100-meters with a 10.76 clocking in 2009 … Coached by Lent Barsey.

Full name is Morris Lee Claiborne … Nickname is "Mo" … Born Feb. 7, 1990, in Shreveport … Mom is Opal Claiborne … Majoring in general studies.