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5 SEC CBs from the 2016 class who could make an immediate impact
By Jessi Lee
Published:
The SEC has always had storied defenses, and 2016 will be no different.
Defensive backs are among some of the most recruited players, and they play big roles for their teams. Often they get shifted around in the secondary to give their team the best chance, and their speed makes them important assets on special teams.
The 2016 season is no exception, and we saw a lot of talented cornerbacks and safeties sign with the SEC last month. Now the questions are which ones of those will see immediate playing time, and which ones will make the most of that opportunity.
Here are five incoming cornerbacks who have the ability to make a big impact in the SEC in 2016:
JAYVAUGHN MYERS, Auburn
Four-star WR Nate Craig-Myers may have headlined the 2016 Auburn class, but his half-brother Jayvaughn Myers will be the one starring on the Tigers defense.
Auburn struggled on that side of the ball in 2015, finishing the season in the bottom half of the SEC in team passing efficiency defense. Worse, it finished in the bottom half of the nation in total defense (No. 71).
Myers will come hoping to change some of that. He stands at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, and he’s expected to see early playing time on The Plains.
“He’s long, and he’s very athletic,” Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn said. “Coach [Wesley] McGriff is very excited about this guy. We think he’ll have a chance to come in and compete for playing time.”
Myers could be a big part of reversing Auburn’s fate in 2016.
CHAUNCEY GARDNER, FLORIDA
Florida had a good recruiting season, and there are 12 early enrollees on campus right now. Among those are some of the future top Gators, including four-star CB Chauncey Gardner.
The 6-foot, 194-pound star is expected to play early in The Swamp. And after seeing some of his highlights, there are few questions as to why he should take the field as a freshman.
Gardner is talented enough that he may play safety or nickelback before he takes the corner.
KRISTIAN FULTON, LSU
The Tigers have some veterans in the secondary, but five-star CB Kristian Fulton doesn’t seem too worried.
The 6-foot, 177-pound superstar came in as the No. 2 cornerback in the nation. And he’s ready to show the SEC why he has been so highly ranked.
Fulton will have some competition, but he is still expected to move quickly through the ranks and get plenty of playing time in 2016. Enrolling early to get the extra time with his team this spring hasn’t hurt his chances.
TYLER BYRD, TENNESSEE
The Vols are still rebuilding (hold your groans), but 2016 just might be their year. Tennessee fared quite well in the recruiting season, and it got a big boost when it landed the No. 10 cornerback in the nation, Tyler Byrd.
At 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds, this 19-year-old freshman isn’t your typical defensive back, but his commitment announcement caused an eruption in Knoxville. It was especially exciting since he was originally committed to Miami.
Byrd is expected to be a huge part of the Vols’ success in 2016. In fact, according to bleacherreport.com, he’s such a huge playmaker that his NFL draft stock is already being discussed.
JOEJUAN WILLIAMS, VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt’s defense last season wasn’t terrible. In fact, the Commodores finished 2015 in the top half of the SEC for total defense. But no team can survive on defense alone.
Four-star Joejuan Williams is more than just a good defensive recruit. Williams is the No.2 cornerback in the state of Tennessee, and he’s part of a first step for Vanderbilt, which is trying to create a better recruiting culture and build success from the bottom up.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound freshman had originally committed to Mississippi State before deciding to stay close to home. He was recruited as a safety, but he likely will remain on Vanderbilt’s roster as the cornerback. And his decision to enroll early and start practicing with the ‘Dores will give him a big boost for the upcoming season.
