Top 10 cornerbacks in the updated 2024 On300 rankings

The high school football season is well underway, and top recruits around the country have been putting on stellar performances on the gridiron. Many of the best cornerbacks in the 2024 cycle have already made their college decisions.

Of the top 10 corners in the country, just two remain uncommitted — Kam Mikell and Kobe Black. Florida commit Wardell Mack was the latest to pledge to a school, committing to Florida in August.

Let’s assess the top cornerback prospects in the senior class:

1. Ellis Robinson IV — Georgia commit

School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
On3 Ranking: No. 3
Scouting Summary: “Ellis Robinson IV is a ball-hawking cornerback with plus length, ball skills and refined movement skills. Has shown the ability to make high-level plays on the ball throughout his high school career. Measured close to 6-feet, 175 pounds prior to his senior season. Has plus length for the position with arms that measure a shade under 33 inches. Dominated competition in New York’s Catholic league as a sophomore, bringing in eight interceptions. Made several impressive, acrobatic picks. Moved to IMG Academy as a junior, where he looked like the top defensive back on the Ascenders’ loaded roster. Made strides as a junior relative to his technical skills.

“…Pairs his length and ball skills with refined footwork. Understands routes and generally stays in phase. Embraces matchups against top receivers and is willing to get physical at the line of scrimmage. Also tests as a good athlete in the combine setting. While his speed is good, he does not register as elite for the position. Can continue getting stronger and adding good mass once in a college strength program.”

2. Charles Lester III — Florida State commit

School: Venice (Fla.)
On3 Ranking: No. 23
Scouting Summary: “Charles Lester III is a two-way standout as a receiver and cornerback who has one of the more intriguing upsides among the 2024 cornerback group. Measured at around 6-foot-1, 170 pounds prior to his senior season. Has unverified length. Hip fluidity and ball skills stand out. Shows the ability to consistently and naturally catch the football away from his frame.

“…Can flip his hips with ease in man coverage. Breaks on the ball quickly in zone coverage. Flashes a high-quality short area quickness and excellent trigger to the football. A willing tackler with solid physicality and ability to play in the box. High level ball production as a junior, picking off five passes. Also makes plays at receiver, showing off his ball skills and change of direction. A tough runner with the ball in his hands. Lacks verified top-end speed.”

3. Aaron Scott Jr. — Ohio State commit

School: Springfield (Ohio)
On3 Ranking: No. 31
Scouting Summary: “Aaron Scott Jr. is a coordinated corner with some of the best film and ball skills at the position in 2024. Measured in at a shade over 6-feet and around 180 pounds at Under Armour’s Ohio camp prior to his senior season. Has good length for the position. Tacked on solid weight over the course of his junior year. Tests as a good athlete in the combine setting. Showed good speed in his junior track season, running a personal best of 11.05 seconds in the 100 meters.

“…A standout corner on Friday nights who gives up very little through the air. Does a phenomenal job of playing through receivers’ hands. Has high level ball production, with 5 interceptions and 7 pass breakups as a junior. Uses his length and coordination to make plays on the football at a high rate. Shows good coverage instincts overall, particularly when defending vertical routes. Can improve his trigger and break on the ball. One of the younger prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle, turning 18 years-old in the summer prior to his freshman year of college.”

4. Corian Gipson — Clemson commit

School: Lancaster (Texas)
On3 Ranking: No. 38
Scouting Summary: “Corian Gipson is a smooth defensive back with the speed and skills to play multiple spots in the secondary. Has a thin build, checking in at around 6-feet, 165 pounds with a 6-foot-2.5 wing-span at the Under Armour Dallas camp prior to his senior season. Turns in strong marks as a sprinter in track and field. Consistently runs sub 11 seconds in the 100 meters, with a personal best of 10.62 seconds as a junior.

“…Has lined up at both corner and safety for Lancaster, but is starting to look more and more like a cornerback prospect as his career progresses. At ease covering outside or in the slot. Has relatively refined footwork in coverage. Transitions easily. Shows the top end speed to run with receivers on vertical routes. Triggers quickly in defending underneath routes. Will need to tack on considerable mass to his thin frame. Did not have a ton of ball production as a junior.”

5. Wardell Mack — Florida commit

School: Marrero (La.) John Ehret
On3 Ranking: No. 52
Scouting Summary: “Wardell Mack is a smooth-moving defensive back with the length and playmaking ability to make an impact as a cornerback or safety. Measured in at around 6-foot-0.5, 170 pounds prior to his senior season. Has elite length for the position with arms that measure 33.75 inches. Shows the ability to stick with receivers, using his length and movement skills to stay in-phase. Physical in press coverage, using his length to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage. Shows loose hips and is fluid when changing directions. Has refined footwork with a very smooth backpedal in the camp setting. A willing downhill defender, not scared of contact or being physical as a tackler.

“…Shows solid top-end speed, but not look to be top-tier in that regard. Ball skills are good not great, as he does not look to be the most natural pass catcher. Is still comfortable playing the ball at the catch point, getting his hands on the football. Viewed as a high floor prospect who could see an immediate role as a nickel corner at the next level and eventually developing into a field corner. Relatively young for the class, turning 18 in April of his senior year of high school.”

6. Kam Mikell

School: Statesboro (Ga.)
On3 Ranking: No. 59
On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Georgia 84.3%, Colorado 5.5%, South Carolina 2.6%, Tennessee 2.2%
Scouting Summary: “Kam Mikell is a top athlete with a multi-faceted skill set who has the physical upside to develop into one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2024 cycle. Measured in at over 6-foot, 180 pounds prior to his senior season. A strong sprinter with some of the better track times among top 2024 cornerbacks. Finished third in the 1oo meters at the state track finals as a sophomore with a personal best 10.50 mark. Backs up that speed in the camp setting and on the field. Primarily plays quarterback and corner for Statesboro High. Dangerous with the ball in his hands.

“…Has the ability to rip off long gains with his home run speed. Flashes the long speed to stay attached on downfield routes as a cornerback. Also shows outstanding range as a run defender and in downfield pursuit. Owns a very strong multi-sport profile in addition to track and football as he is also a very good high school basketball player, showcasing coordination and movement skills. Ball skills register as satisfactory as a cornerback prospect, but can continue improving on that front. Has considerable developmental upside due to his athleticism, but will need to hone technical aspects of his game once he becomes a full-time defensive back.”

7. Bryce West — Ohio State commit

School: Cleveland Glenville
On3 Ranking: No. 69
Scouting Summary: “Bryce West is an instinctual cover corner with translatable speed and encouraging physicality. Measured at a shade under 5’11.5 and around 180 pounds prior to his senior season. A plus athlete with good speed for the position. Runs track, finishing 3rd in the state finals in the 100 and 200 meters as a junior, posting a wind-aided time of 10.57 seconds in 100.

“…Primarily lined up at corner for Cleveland high school power Glenville as a junior, before shifting over to safety early on as a senior. Displays good coverage instincts. Stays attached and in-phase on downfield routes. Locates and finds the football. Came down with four interceptions as a junior. Has the long speed to turn and run with receivers. Flashes physicality as a tackler and run defender. Flashes his playmaking ability as a return man. Lacks ideal length for the position, with his arms measuring around 30 inches. Can continue to improve his lower body flexibility.”

8. Kobe Black

School: Waco (Texas) Connally
On3 Ranking: No. 74
On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Texas 93.5%, Texas A&M 1.7%, Oklahoma 1.1%
Scouting Summary: “Kobe Black is a big-bodied defensive back with coverage instincts and ball skills. More filled out than most of his highly-rated peers at the position. Checked in at 6-foot-1 and around 185 pounds prior to his senior season. Has plus length for the position with a wing span over 6-foot-7. Displays strong change of direction in the camp setting, highlighted by a 4.15-second short shuttle at Under Armour’s Dallas camp. Works as an outside corner on Friday nights. Instinctive in coverage. Reads and jumps routes. Technically sound in coverage relative to this stage.

“…Smooth in his movements. Has the length, size and strength to reroute receivers at the line. Projects as a plus-run defender. Shows ball skills and made plays on the ball as a junior with 9 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. Also lined up at wide receiver for Waco Connally where he showed playmaking skills and overall coordination. Tracks the football over his shoulder and comes down with high-point grabs in traffic. Not an overly twitchy athlete relative to most high-end cornerback prospects. Quicker than fast. Could also project at safety long-term given his strengths and physical skill set. Also plays basketball and runs track. Very young for the cycle with a late June birthday.”

9. Jameer Grimsley — Alabama commit

School: Tampa Catholic
On3 Ranking: No. 79
Scouting Summary: “Jameer Grimsley is a physically gifted defensive back with one of the best combinations of length, athleticism and ball skills among 2024 cornerback prospects. A taller corner, measuring in at around 6-foot-1.5, 185 pounds prior to his senior season. Has elite length with arms that have measured well over 33 inches, to go with 10-inch hands. Turns in strong marks as a sprinter in track and field, running 10.94 seconds in the 100 meter and 21.89 second in the 200 meters as a junior. Plays on both sides of the ball as a receiver and cornerback/safety.

“…Shows an easy, long stride in the open field. Ball skills register on the high end among cornerback prospects given his experience on offense. Has the ability to win contested catches as a receiver. Tracks and locates the football. Not afraid to lower his shoulder and strike pass catchers. Finished his junior season with 25 catches for 356 yards and three touchdowns. Transferred from Bloomingdale High School to Tampa Catholic prior to his senior season. More of a size and skill set projection and will need to ratchet up his production as a senior. Older for the cycle, turning 19 years old in the middle of his senior season. Will be a 20-year-old college freshman.”

10. Demello Jones — Georgia commit

School: Swainsboro (Ga.)
On3 Ranking: No. 80
Scouting Summary: “Demello Jones is a do-it-all athlete who projects as one of the top defensive back prospects in the 2024 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-0.5, 175 pounds with a 31-inch arm. A strong athlete in track and field, improving his sprint times, posting a 10.97 second 100-meter dash as a junior along with an impressive 6-4 foot high jump. Sees snaps all over the field on Friday nights, lining up at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and corner. Helped his team to a state title as a junior. Rushed for 1,279 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging over 10 yards per carry. Also had 7 receiving touchdowns on just 14 catches.

“…A smooth, natural athlete. An easy mover who is capable of pulling away once in the open field. Shows encouraging cover skills and functional athleticism when projecting as a defensive back. Plays with good instincts and toughness. Closes quickly and drives through ball carriers as a tackler. Ball skills developed from his time on offense aid as a defensive back. Could feasibly line up at any spot in the secondary. Also a good high school basketball player, averaging 11.8 points per game as a junior. Breadth of skills points to a strong foundation as a prospect and developmental upside.”