The skill positions in football are the most exciting and entertaining to watch and for good reason. They typically have the best size, speed, and athletic talent than anyone on the field and can go the distance on any given play. The potential with the ball in their hands alone will leave you glued to the television set for hours. Now think about trying to stop them. That's right; someone has to chase, cover, and contain those freak athletes which can only be done by (you guessed it) more freak athletes. Let's look at some of the best secondaries in college based on talent, depth, and projected play in 2013.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners have a reputation for finishing in the top ten in pass defense and although they lost three starters I predict this year will be no different. Led by Cornerback Aaron Colvin who resides on "Colvin Island" was first team All-Big12 with four interceptions and 11 pass deflections. Oklahoma will rely on his talents and authority in the secondary to influence his new batch of teammates. This unit is young and raw, however, they possess all the talent to continue their trend of a dominant secondary.
9. North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are a bit of a surprise here but land on the list due to the cohesiveness and depth that their squad attains. North Carolina had a top 30 secondary in the country last year and that was with five freshmen, one sophomore, and two juniors. They didn't lose anyone to the NFL or transfers so returning all eight players (seven with starting experience) will have an extreme impact on their continuity and be a big boost for the defense overall. Although they don't possess the one or two big names like most teams on this list, having that many young talented guys playing together for another year is something you can't put a price on. Junior cornerback Tim Scott is their number one option and is considered in the top ten for his position and senior free safety Tre Boston was first team All-ACC and will provide the leadership as this young unit continues to move up the ranks.
8. LSU Tigers
"Cornerback U" is gaining more and more credibility to that name as LSU has produced some of the youngest and most talented cornerbacks in the NFL. Guys like Chris Claiborne, Patrick Peterson, and Tyrann Mathieu have all come from the Tigers organization and although the jury is still out on the Honey Badger, there's no questioning the talent and early success these three possess. Besides Mathieu, the Tigers also lost safety Eric Reid to the NFL and will need to replace him and will look to do so with safety Craig Lotson. Lotson started slow in his career but came on strong at the end of last season showing his ability to make his presence known to opposing players, and should be one of the best safetys in the SEC come 2013. When Mathieu was dismissed from the team last year, cornerbacks Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins were thrown into the fire. Mills started all 13 games and had 7 pass deflections and two interceptions showing he is more than adequate to be the new full time starter. Freshman cornerback Jeryl Brazil is buried on the depth chart but has freak like abilities and will put head coach Les Miles in a tough spot making sure he finds a way to get him on the field.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
Depending on who you ask, junior Bradley Roby is the best cornerback in the nation. The 5'11" 190 pounder is physical, fast, and can take out any teams number one receiving option. Typically Ohio State loses some members of their secondary to the NFL, however, this year thats not the case as they return all of their starters. CJ Barnett is a senior free safety who is arguably one of the top five in the nation. Playing next to him is strong safety senior Christian Bryant who is regarded as one of the top ten for his position as well. These three form a tremendous group of talent and should play extremely well together with another year under their belts.
6. Florida State Seminoles
Another unit with not many household names but has an abundance of depth mixed with talent. They return seven of their eight starters from last year and bring in two highly recruited freshmen for competition. Junior cornerback Nick Waisome shut down Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins last year for just 24 yards. He will take over the departed Xavier Rhodes and will likely line up opposite Ronald Darby who is 5'11" 189lbs. and runs a sub 4.4 40 time. Playing behind them at strong safety is Lamarcus Joyner. Joyner is a senior and was named to the first team All-ACC last season as he continues to be the leader of this secondary.
5. Virginia Tech Hokies
This unit year in and year out is as consistent of a group than any other on the list. The Hokies have finished in the top 15 in pass defense in eight of the past nine years and were ranked eighth in the category last season. This year should be no different with cornerback Antone Exum leading the way. Exum is a big physical player (6-1 224lbs.) and has the prototypical size teams love in the NFL. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in Janurary but hopes to be ready by the beginning of the season. Exum was named second team All-ACC and posted five interceptions and a whopping 16 passes broken up. If he's not ready for the season opener Kyle Fuller will be more than energized to step in. Fuller was third team All-ACC and has 20 starts under his belt. This unit also brought in two high recruits in the secondary and will be among the elite this season once again.
4. TCU Horned Frogs
If you didn't say Bradley Roby was the best cornerback in the nation then there's a good chance you said Jason Verrett was. Verrett has all the potential to be the first cornerback taken in next years draft, but for now the senior will help lead TCU back into the top ten pass defenses (ranked sixth in 2012) despite playing in the pass happy Big 12 conference. This year not only do they have all their starters returning but they add LSU transfer David Jenkins to the mix who was the scout team defensive player of the year last year. He will be added to a group that now has great depth at the position. Elisha Olabode was second team All-Big12 at the safety position and had four interceptions and nine passes broken up in 2012. All in all this unit will be looking forward to keeping the streak of top ten pass defenses alive for the sixth year in a row.
3. Oregon Ducks
There's a theme trending as we move our way down the list and that is the top teams have at least one shut down cornerback or playmaking safety. The Ducks are no different as we move the spotlight on junior cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. IEO (who I'm nicknaming for simplicity reasons that should be obvious) is one of the top cornerbacks in the nation right behind Roby and Verrett. If IEO chooses to declare for the NFL draft, he will hear his name called on day one. He has all the tools scouts look for and will be a very solid contributer for any team for years to come. Playing opposite of him is junior Terrance Mitchell who is also being labeled as having NFL talent. These two were the main reason Oregon ranked seventh in pass defense last season despite the injury plagued safety positions. However, fully healed safety Avery Patterson will return to the starter roll along with the defenses top nine tacklers. With one of the best cornerback duos in the nation the Ducks will be as hard to pass on as anyone in the country.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Even though they lost All-American Dee Millner and strong safety Robert Lester, this unit actually has more talent and experience going into 2013. Try not to laugh when saying his name but safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (could you do it?) is ready to step in as the new All-American on the team and when its all said and done most likely will be then nations top ranked safety. (Not so funny anymore is it?). They have five more returning with starting experience on a team that ranked fifth in the country in pass defense last season. Some of those include Deion Belue who emerged as one of the most consistent cornerbacks on the roster and may find his way as one of the best in the SEC this year. Safety Landon Collins was a former number one recruit and is ready to bust out after being a special teams ace for Alabama last season. Coach Nick Saban spends a lot of time coaching his defensive backs and will hold them to high expectations as always. Between that and the wealth of young talent, this secondary will be no laughing matter.
1. Florida Gators
The Gators ended the 2012 season as the number one pass defense in the country giving up an average of 193 yards per game. We will keep them at that spot until they prove us otherwise. Although they lost safetys Matt Elam and Josh Evans, they return five of their top eight players back. Loucheiz Purifoy is one of the best cornerbacks in the game. Although still raw, he is an outstanding athlete with great speed and is consistently improving as a cover corner. He lines up opposite another talented and possible future first round pick in junior Marcus Roberson. Roberson isn't quite the athlete as Purifoy but is more polished and has lock-down potential. These two alone form the best cornerback duo in the game and force every passing offense to find new ways to move the ball.