Comparing the Top Two Cornerbacks in the Big 10
With the college football season beginning shortly, many experts like to look ahead to next year’s NFL Draft and create a preliminary list of top players. Looking at the cornerback position, the two highest ranked college athletes are Jourdan Lewis of Michigan and Desmond King of Iowa. Both have aspects that make them lockdown defenders and give them bright futures ahead. But NFL teams will need to distinguish between the two somehow.
Starting with Lewis, he was a superstar for the Wolverines’ top defense last season. He made 52 tackles for the team, broke up 20 passes and caused three turnovers, two being interceptions and one as a forced fumble. Lewis also led the FBS last season with 15 passes defended. There was even a three-week span last season where Lewis was targeted 32 times but only gave up a completion on half of those attempts. This stat line is good and earned Lewis the honor of being pro football focus’ top-ranked cornerback.
King was not too shabby himself last season. He had more tackles than Lewis with 72, missing only 2 tackles, and also tied for second most interceptions in the FBS, picking off 8 passes. To go along with those stats, he also had 21 pass deflections, one more than Lewis. To make this even more impressive, King was also targeted 12 fewer times than Lewis. So, in essence, he put up some bigger numbers than Lewis with less opportunity. Another factor that helps differentiate King from Lewis is his size, as he is a full inch taller and 25 pounds heavier than Lewis.
Looking at the numbers exclusively, King looks to have the best of Lewis. But, as some experts note, Lewis is much more consistent than King. King gave up quarterback ratings of over 80.0 to some four of nine Big 10 opponents while Lewis’ worst quarterback rating allowed all season was 77.1. Just analyzing the two, it seems nearly impossible to decide which is the stronger cornerback. Hopefully, with one more season to go, one of these men will separate themselves from the competition and show they are truly the number one defensive back in the Big 10 and possibly the country.
Starting with Lewis, he was a superstar for the Wolverines’ top defense last season. He made 52 tackles for the team, broke up 20 passes and caused three turnovers, two being interceptions and one as a forced fumble. Lewis also led the FBS last season with 15 passes defended. There was even a three-week span last season where Lewis was targeted 32 times but only gave up a completion on half of those attempts. This stat line is good and earned Lewis the honor of being pro football focus’ top-ranked cornerback.
King was not too shabby himself last season. He had more tackles than Lewis with 72, missing only 2 tackles, and also tied for second most interceptions in the FBS, picking off 8 passes. To go along with those stats, he also had 21 pass deflections, one more than Lewis. To make this even more impressive, King was also targeted 12 fewer times than Lewis. So, in essence, he put up some bigger numbers than Lewis with less opportunity. Another factor that helps differentiate King from Lewis is his size, as he is a full inch taller and 25 pounds heavier than Lewis.
Looking at the numbers exclusively, King looks to have the best of Lewis. But, as some experts note, Lewis is much more consistent than King. King gave up quarterback ratings of over 80.0 to some four of nine Big 10 opponents while Lewis’ worst quarterback rating allowed all season was 77.1. Just analyzing the two, it seems nearly impossible to decide which is the stronger cornerback. Hopefully, with one more season to go, one of these men will separate themselves from the competition and show they are truly the number one defensive back in the Big 10 and possibly the country.
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