LKelley67

Keep these names in mind as you watch games. The draft will be here before you know it LOL

Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
5-11, 195 pounds, Sr.

Hall has been called Michigan's top cornerback since Heisman winner Charles Woodson. A veteran of 37 career games and 24 starts, Hall has broken up 25 passes and hauled in nine interceptions, both leading all current Wolverines. He has earned Big Ten honors after each of the past two seasons and could be in line for All-America honors in 2006.

Hall has shown the ability to play both zone and man coverage, but is clearly at his best when on an island -- one-on-one against the receiver. Hall's speed, quickness and anticipation separate him from the other cornerbacks on this list. He can blanket receivers, but also shows the big-play potential when the ball is up for grabs that could make him an elite prospect for the next level. He enters 2006 having earned postseason accolades after each of his first three seasons.

Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State, 6-1, 198, Sr.

In last year's preview series, I described Fresno State cornerback Richard Marshall as perhaps the "top cornerback on the West Coast." Marshall went on to become the 58th overall pick by Carolina, but he might not have been the top cornerback on his own team. McCauley emerged from Marshall's shadow to develop into one of the elite defensive backs in the entire country.

Until last season, McCauley had been viewed as an exceptional athlete, but still a raw player. A veteran of 11 starts, he had proven to be a dangerous alternative for quarterbacks hesitant to throw against Marshall, but McCauley had not yet fully established himself. Then he leaped to the forefront, stringing together a far more consistent and reliable season than his more heralded teammate.

McCauley's great size and estimated 4.40-second speed in the 40-yard dash make him intriguing enough, but only through film work can one begin to appreciate the grace and instincts of his play

Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona, 6-0, 185, Jr.

Considered by some to be the top cornerback prospect in the country despite being only a junior, Cason has established himself as a shut-down performer in a conference known for producing dynamic passing numbers. Even with receivers like Dwayne Jarrett and Mike Hass in the Pac-10, most offenses chose to pass away from Cason, whose blend of size, speed and quickness has earned comparisons to Derrick Strait, a stalwart at Oklahoma under then-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, now Arizona's head coach.

Cason has earned Pac-10 accolades after each of the past two seasons and has good bloodlines -- his father, Wendell, and cousins Ken-Yon Rambo and Aveion Cason played in the NFL.

Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh, 6-0, 190, Jr.

Revis is an exciting young cornerback who established himself as a quality prospect almost immediately. He earned freshman All-American honors in 2004, starting all 11 games and finishing with 14 passes broken up. Opponents learned not to test Revis last season, instead choosing to pass against future sixth-round pick Josh Lay. Revis was the only sophomore to earn first-team Big East honors, coming through with four interceptions and nine passes broken up. He also became one of the better young return specialists, averaging 11.6 yards per punt return.

Revis not only has the size teams like, but his short-area burst, vertical speed and flair for the dramatic are noteworthy. Like Arizona's Cason, Revis has NFL bloodlines. His uncle is former Pitt defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, who went on to play for four teams in the NFL.

Revis next to Lay? See McCauley and Cason in Tiger Stadium this year