Tour of Talent: South Florida's Top 10 Cornerbacks (Class of 2020)
By Jerry Williamson
Building a great secondary unit in this pass-happy era requires a great deal of things: A blue-chip corner who you’re comfortable leaving on an island with a premier wide receiver in high school. Since the success of Seattle Seahawks' big corners Richard Sherman (6-3) and Brandon Browner (6-4), the long and rangy prospects are a hot commodity. South Florida's class-of-2020 has several eye-catchers. The class is locked and loaded with names ranging from Jabari Blakey (6'3), Davonte Brown (6'2), Henry Gray (6'1), Bejamin Onwuzo (6'1), and Jaiden Francios (6'0). Slot corner may be the most challenging position on the field. The volume of decisions, variation of route combinations, and the speed at which everything needs to processed is on a another level. Rony Boudreau, Joshua Ancrum, Jaheem Joseph, and Louis Rolle are all under 6 feet tall. But, their agility, play recognition, and ball skills will make college football programs overlook their short stature. This group is going to make some noise come National Signing Day.
South Florida's Top 10 Cornerbacks in no particular order
Miami Central - CB - Henry Gray
According to 247sports, Gray (6'1") is ranked as the 9th best cornerback in the country. As a junior he finished with 3 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions and 2 defensive touchdowns. In my opinion, the South Florida Express standout will have an option to play safety or corneback at the next level. The Rockets added one of the best kept secrets in South Florida. Committed to University of Miami (FL)
Champagnat Catholic - CB - Rony Boudreau
The 5-foot-9 versatile cornerback, nickel, safety, and special teamer was targeted 21 times on the season and allowed 3 catches. Boudreau was named 3rd team all-county and started for Florida Fire 8 7v7 football team. The reigning class 2A state champion, clocked a 4.65 (90 percentile) electronically timed forty-yard dash and leaped 33.5 (92 percentile) this off-season.
South Dade - CB - Jaiden Francios
Can you imagine trying to earn playing time with Tyrique Stevenson (High School All-American) and D.J. Ivey (University of Miami early enrolled) at corneback this past season? This left Francios no other choice, but to line-up at safety. Francios stands 6'0 with great cover skills and he also flies to the ball on run support.
Offers: UGA, Syracuse, UCF, FAU
Deerfield Beach - CB - Louis Rolle
Here's a young man that was recognized as the top corner in his recruiting class entering high school in South Florida. Rolle will anchor one side of the field this upcoming fall for a program that's a D1-FBS feeder.
Offers: NIU
Carol City - CB - Josh Ancrum
For two consecutive seasons, Ancrum has locked down the starting job and opposing teams premier targets. His game is jaw-dropping. He does it all and plays with a no-nonsense attitude. Offers: Boston College, FIU, USF, Southern Miss
Piper - CB - Davonte Brown
Brown is another prototype (player/athlete) standing 6'2 and weighing 165-pounds that proved he's one of the best in class. He started this off-season for Florida Fire, which says a mouthful and dominated on the gridiron with 27 tackles (2 tfl) and 8 pass deflections.
Offers: Northern Illinois, Pittsburgh, NC State, Akron, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Chaminade-Madonna - CB - Benjamin Onwuzo
Onwuzo is your prototye cornerback standing at 6 feet, 180-pounds. Onwuzo has a blend of athleticism and physicality, caused 3 interceptions, 1 force fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 defensive touchdowns. Offers: Boston College, App State, Louisville, UCF, Bowling Green, UAB, and Syracuse
South Plantation - CB -Jabari Blakey The NFL and College Football coaches has a new obsession—tall cornerbacks. Blakey stands 6'3" with film primarily at safety and special teams. But, based off his off-season performances for Florida Fire 7v7 football team — proves his man-to-man coverage and zone recognition is someone college football coaches need to closely evulate. Offers: Valdosta State & Northern Arizona
Monsignor Pace - CB - Jaheem Joseph
When you strongly consider, Joseph academics, versatility, and play-making ability he's going to move up college football recruiting bboards. Joesph, standing 5-foot-10 sports a remarkable 3.79 core GPA. On Friday Nights' he was responsible for 4 PBU, 54 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 force fumbles, and allowed four receptions the entire season.
Offers: Syracuse, Louisville, and FAU
American Heritage Plantation - CB - Daryl Porter Jr.
Porter, Jr. play this past season, was a bit overshadowed. Due to having U.S. Army All-Americans cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Patrick Surtain, Jr. The Patriots' rising star led his team in interceptions with 4. His upside is through the roof.
BEST OF THE REST
Champagnat Catholic, CB, Dartrell Rolle
Rolle is someone I named a Rising Star as I saw the potential while having to play behind several D1-FBS signees. Rolle is a quiet playmaker. His early high school stat sheet consist of interceptions, block kicks, and forced fumbles. He stands 5'10" and mark my words, Rolle will make a name for himself this upcoming fall.
