Top 25 cornerback rankings entering Week 3 of college football

One of the best antidotes to an opponent’s strong passing game is an elite cornerback, one who can shut down an opposing receiver on a moment’s notice and turn it into a one-way matchup. There are several such cornerbacks around the country.

Whether it’s Colorado‘s Travis Hunter or Alabama‘s Kool-Aid McKinstry, there are a number of top-notch cornerbacks worth noting.

Today On3 stops to rank the top 25 cornerbacks in the country following the first two weeks of the season. These players are a combination of the most productive and most effective in college football.

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado

Hunter’s talent is absolutely undeniable. Forget about the fact that he’s playing both ways for Colorado, he’s been excellent as a stand-alone cornerback in his own right.

Through two games Hunter has recorded seven tackles, an interception and two pass breakups. And opponents have been smart to look the other way rather than try to throw against him.

2. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

McKinstry hasn’t yet gotten his hands on a lot of passes during the 2023 campaign, but it’s just a matter of time as much as he’s around the ball. The physical Alabama defensive back has made his presence felt anyway.

In the first two games McKinstry has logged eight tackles and a pass breakup. He’s got two career interceptions, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can increase the number of chances he gets for takeaways this fall in his third year of major playing time.

3. Kalen King, Penn State

King has had a pretty quiet start to the 2023 season, which is sometimes just what you want out of your top-notch cornerback. In fact, he was nearly invisible in terms of statistical production in last week’s win over Delaware.

In two games this year King has logged just four tackles. But his ability is quite clear after coming away with three interceptions a year ago.

4. Cooper DeJean, Iowa

One of the best ballhawks in the class, DeJean is just waiting to get his hands on some passes in 2023. He had five interceptions a year ago in a breakout campaign.

So far this fall DeJean has logged 17 tackles, a half tackle for a loss and a pass defended. As much as he’s been around the ball you can bank on him recording some more disruptive stats in the near future.

5. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

Like Hunter, Morrison is on the board with an interception already in the 2023 campaign. He picked off his first pass this week against NC State in his most productive game yet.

In three outings so far Morrison has logged six tackles, including a tackle for a loss, while breaking up two passes and picking off a third. The 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore surely has a lot more in the tank, too.

6. Mike Sainristil, Michigan

The veteran leader for Michigan has also already recorded an interception, having done so in the season opener against East Carolina. Sainristil then followed that up with a five-tackle performance against UNLV.

In two games combined, Sainristil has logged six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup. He’s been a leader in the Michigan secondary.

7. Justin Harris, Cincinnati

Harris picked off a pass in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky, announcing once again that he’s here to stay in the secondary. That was actually his first career interception in five playing seasons.

In addition to his interception, Harris has recorded four tackles through the first two games. He’s a staple in the Cincinnati secondary that currently ranks No. 42 nationally against the pass.

8. Denzel Burke, Ohio State

Burke hasn’t made much of an impact on the stat sheet outside of breaking up passes, as he has just one tackle so far through the first two games. But he’s managed to have an impact anyway.

In fact, you could argue his stats are perfectly indicative of a shutdown cornerback. Burke already has one interception and two passes defended, showing some ability to be a ballhawk in the secondary.

9. Deantre Prince, Ole Miss

Prince entered the season as Ole Miss’ active career leader in interceptions with five, and he’s already tacked on another in the first two games. His interception against Tulane helped the Rebels in a tight contest.

In two games, Prince has accounted for five tackles, an interception and two pass breakups. He’ll be needed if Ole Miss is going to continue on its unbeaten run.

10. Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas

The former LSU transfer didn’t have much of an impact in Week 2 but made his presence felt in the season opener against Western Carolina. In that game McGlothern managed to pick off a pass, break another up and record a tackle for a loss.

The Arkansas star had 52 tackles and four interceptions a year ago, demonstrating his versatility and disruptive ability. He’ll be counted on yet again in a retooled Razorbacks secondary.

11. Will Johnson, Michigan
12. Jaylin Davies, UCLA
13. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
14. DJ James, Auburn
15. Micah Abraham, Marshall
16. Willie Roberts, LA Tech
17. Reddy Steward, Troy
18. Josh Newton, TCU
19. Noah Tumblin, San Diego State
20. Fentrell Cypress, Florida State
21. Xavier Scott, Illinois
22. Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
23. Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State
24. Christian Roland-Wallace, USC
25. TJ Tampa, Iowa State

There are several other excellent selections among our top 25 cornerbacks going into Week 3, not the least of which is former All-ACC selection Fentrell Cypress at Florida State. Cypress transferred in from Virginia. In addition Micah Abraham and Reddy Stewart have each already snagged two interceptions. Stay tuned next week to find out how our cornerback rankings shift.