Top 10 cornerbacks to watch out for in Week 13 college football ft. Nohl Williams
Cornerbacks often have the hardest job in football. In an environment where the rules increasingly favor the offense, cornerbacks have to hang with the best receivers play in, and play out. Despite it being a thankless job, there are some stars in the ranks of cornerbacks.
Here are 10 of the best to watch in Week 13.
Top 10 cornerbacks to watch out for in Week 13
10. Will Johnson, Michigan
Johnson would be higher on this list if it was clear he would play. Instead, Johnson has missed the last two games and appears to be questionable for this weekend's battle against No. 1 Oregon. If he plays, he's good for a much higher spot on the list. Johnson has a pair of pick-sixes in a season that has already been shortened by injury.
9. Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
The Ole Miss transfer is a lock-down corner. Teams rarely test Igbinosun. He has 25 tackles and seven pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions. Igbinosun and OSU face a top-five battle with Indiana this week and the Buckeye secondary could be key to the game.
8. Dashaun Peele, Navy
A steady senior, Peele has done a little bit of everything for Navy. He has 36 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a pair of QB sacks, and nine pass breakups, which includes four interceptions. Two of Peele's picks were returned for touchdowns. Navy faces East Carolina this week in its final tune-up for the Army-Navy game.
7. Terrence Spence, James Madison
An arrival from FCS Holy Cross, Spence has made the most of his time with the Dukes. The 8-2 Dukes are still in the Sun Belt title hunt and Spence has been a bit part of that rise. Spence has 28 tackles and 10 pass breakups, including five interceptions, with one going for a pick-six. James Madison plays at Appalachian State this week.
6. Mello Dotson, Kansas
A second-team All-Big 12 pick last year, Dotson has been sharp as a senior. He's got 41 tackles and 11 pass breakups, including five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Dotson will face Colorado and Travis Hunter this week, which could give him an extra chance to shine.
5. Cam Lockridge, Fresno State
Lockridge was a JUCO and then largely sat on the bench in 2023. But in 2024, he's having a dynamic season for the Bulldogs. He missed a game but still has 39 tackles, a dozen pass breakups and five interceptions. 5-5 Fresno State will battle for bowl eligibility this week against Colorado State. Lockridge could be out this week due to his injury, but if he plays, watch for him.
4. Avery Smith, Toledo
Smith is an excellent junior corner for the Rockets. He has 43 tackles and 14 pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions. The Rockets are 7-3 and looking to climb the MAC bowl pecking order as they take on Ohio University this weekend.
3. Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Amos transferred to the Rebels from Alabama and has stayed busy in Oxford. His 14 pass breakups tie for third nationally and Amos has added 41 tackles. A big game from him will help Ole Miss continue its playoff hunt this weekend at Florida.
2. Michael Coats, UNLV
Coats is a JUCO transfer who has been tested early and often this year. His 17 pass breakups lead the nation and include four interceptions. The 8-2 Rebels will face San Jose State.
1. Nohl Williams, California
A senior, Williams remains the nation's interception leader. His seven picks are two ahead of the next closest defender. Williams has broken up a total of 14 passes, and he even has a pick-six. Cal can get bowl-eligible this weekend against Stanford, and Williams is likely to have a big role.
Which cornerbacks will you be watching in Week 13? Share your thoughts below in our comments section!