Best Cornerbacks in College Football History

Best Cornerbacks in College Football History

Cornerback is one of the most dynamic and important positions in football. Over the last forty years, the position has become more prominent and many great CBs have emerged.

Here is a list of the ten best cornerbacks in college football history. Check out the best CBs below and see how they left their mark on the game.

10 Jalen Ramsey: Florida State, 2013 to 2015

Jalen Ramsey
  • Interceptions: 4
  • Tackles: 181
  • Passes Defended: 23
  • All-American & All-ACC Honors

Jalen Ramsey is the latest great cornerback to come from Florida State University. He followed in the footsteps of the great Deion Sanders to become one of the best cornerbacks in college football history. 

Ramsey was the first true freshman to start at FSU and was a game-changer from the beginning. During Jalen’s three years in college, he recorded 181 tackles, defended 23 passes, and forced four fumbles. He also returned two of those fumble recoveries for touchdowns.

The FSU great was also a 3x All-American in track and field, which helped him become a 1st-round NFL pick.

9 Darrell Green: Texas A&I(Now A&M Kingsville), 1978 to 1982 

Darrell Green
  • Tackles: 56(Senior Year)
  • Interceptions: 4(Senior Year)
  • Punt Return Touchdowns: 2
  • 1980s Decade Team Selection

Rod Woodson and Deion Sanders are considered the best cornerbacks in college football history, but they weren’t the originators. The pioneer who paved the way for the CB position was Washington Commanders’ legend, Darrell Green.

Darrell played at Texas A&I (Now A&M Kingsville) and helped set the standard at this small school. In Green’s senior year alone, he recorded 56 tackles, 4 INTs, and returned two punts for TDs. All while setting school records in track and field.

Green went on to have a long NFL career and is considered one of the best cornerbacks in history. 

8 Tyrann Mathieu: LSU, 2010 to 2011

Tyrann Mathieu
  • Interceptions: 4
  • Forced Fumbles: 11
  • Touchdowns: 4
  • Heisman Trophy Finalist

Tyrann “The Honey Badger” Mathieu was one of the most impactful players on our list of great cornerbacks. In Mathieu’s two years at LSU, he was the most impactful player on the team.

The Honey Badger could change the game and did so many times. In just two years, Mathieu recorded 133 tackles, 4 INTs, 11 fumbles, and scored four touchdowns. 

His game-changing ability led to Mathieu becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist and being drafted into the NFL.

7 Rod Woodson: Purdue, 1983 to 1986

Rod Woodson
  • Interceptions: 11
  • Interception Yards: 320
  • Touchdowns: 3
  • 3x All-Big Ten, All-American

No respectable list of the best cornerbacks in college football history would be acceptable without the great Rod Woodson. The Purdue great was one of the main players responsible for evolving the position.

Woodson was a dual threat, who changed games as a defender and kick returning. He recorded 11 career INTs, while scoring 3 TDs, and recorded over 1700 return yards. 

Rod’s impeccable college career transitioned over to the NFL, where he became an all-time great Hall-of-Famer. 

6 Antoine Winfield: Ohio State, 1995 to 1998

Antoine Winfield
  • Tackles: 278(29 For Losses)
  • Interceptions: 8
  • All-American, 2x All-Big-Ten
  • Jim Thorpe Award Winner

Antoine Winfield was one of the most feared cornerbacks in all of college football history. The OSU Hall of Famer could shut down any receiver and deliver punishing tackles.

During his collegiate career, Winfield recorded 278 tackles(29 for losses) and 8 interceptions. His impeccable play earned Antoine the Jim Thorpe Award his senior year and All-American honors.

Winfield went on to become one of the all-time best NFL cornerbacks, who recorded 1,094 tackles and 27 INTs.

5 Eric Berry: Tennessee, 2007 to 2009

Eric Berry
  • Interceptions: 14
  • Interception Yards: 493
  • Touchdowns: 3
  • 2x All-American, SEC DPOTY, Jim Thorpe Winner

The Tennessee great, Eric Berry was a factor every time he stepped on the field. Berry could do it all from pick-offs to delivering vicious hits on offensive players.

During Berry’s three years playing for Tennessee, Berry recorded 241 tackles and 14 Ints for 493 yards and three touchdowns. Eric’s impeccable play led him to win the 2009 SEC DPOTY and Jim Thorpe Award.

He then went on to play eight years in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl five times.

4 Patrick Peterson: LSU, 2008 to 2010

Patrick Peterson
  • Interceptions: 7
  • Interception Yards: 135
  • Touchdowns: 2
  • Won Jim Thorpe Award, Bednarik Award, SEC DPOTY 

Right before the Honey Badger took over, Patrick Peterson was LSU’s shutdown defender. Peterson made his mark as one of the best cornerbacks in college football history.

At LSU, Peterson recorded 135 tackles, 7 interceptions, and recorded over 1000 kick return yards. His ability as a dual-threat led Patrick to win the SEC DPOTY, Jim Thorpe, and Bednarik Awards.

At 34, Peterson is still one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, with eight Pro Bowl entries.

3 Champ Bailey: Georgia, 1996 to 1998

Champ Bailey
  • Interceptions: 8
  • Receiving Yards: 978
  • Touchdowns: 5
  • All-Time Dual Threat CFB Player

Champ Bailey is widely considered to be one of the all-time great cornerbacks in football history. Bailey first made his name as a shutdown corner while playing at Georgia from 1996 to 1998.

During that time, Bailey played on every side of the ball and was phenomenal at every position. On defense, Champ recorded 8 interceptions, while recording nearly 3000 all-purpose yards from kick returns and receiving yards.

Bailey went on to become an NFL Hall of Famer, who went to 12 Pro Bowls in 14 professional seasons.

2 Charles Woodson: Michigan, 1995 to 1997

Charles Woodson
  • Interceptions: 18
  • Touchdowns: 5
  • National Champion
  • 1997 Heisman Award Winner 

Not only is Charles Woodson one of the best cornerbacks in college football history, he is simply one of the best. Woodson changed the game playing for Michigan in the late ’90s.

He could wreck opposing teams on every side of the play and blow a game wide open. As a cornerback, Woodson recorded 18 interceptions and scored 10 TDs on offense and special teams.

His impeccable play led Charles to become the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman. No other player in the history of the game was as dangerous as the great Charles Woodson.

1 Deion Sanders: Florida State, 1985 to 1988

Deion Sanders
  • Interceptions: 14
  • Interception Yards: 287
  • Touchdowns: 6
  • Tackles: 186

When we talk about the best cornerbacks in college football history, one name is always at the top: Deion “Prime Time” Sanders.

Deion Sanders is not only one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever live, but he changed the game. He was one of the first multi-threat players, who could dominate at every position. 

Sanders could do everything from get interceptions, return kicks for TDs and catch touchdown passes. Prime Time went on to become one of the greatest multi-sport athletes and an athletic legend.

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