Spring football begins in earnest across the country following Spring Break. The state of Texas is primed for another memorable year at the FBS level in 2024 with the Longhorns joining the SEC and new coaching staffs at Texas A&M, Houston and UTEP. UTSA begins a new chapter without long-time quarterback Frank Harris as rival Texas State appears set for a Sun Belt title run. The Lone Star State is home to 13 FBS programs. 

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football will rank the 10 best players at each position continuing with CORNERBACKS. A few nickelbacks are included. 

Previous rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | EDGE | DT | LB

1. CADEN JENKINS, BAYLOR 

2023 production: 37 tackles, 3 INT, 3 PBU, 2 FR

The former three-star from Lewisville was a freshman All-American as a full-time starter for the Bears. He had the fifth-best pass coverage grade of all freshman cornerbacks in the P4 last season, according to PFF. He’s rangy at 6-foot-1 and always around the football.

2. CALE SANDERS JR., SMU 

2023 production: 31 tackles, 3 FF, 1 INT, 7 PBU

Sanders is technically a nickelback, but his coverage acumen places him on the corner list rather than at safety. The Fresno State transfer started eight times for SMU last year in 14 games played.

3. AJ ODUMS, UTEP 

2023 production: 36 tackles, 8 PBU

The UTEP defense was the strength of the Miners in 2023 and that might be true again in 2024 thanks to talented performers such as Odums, who was one of the best graded coverage men in Texas during the 2023 season. He began his career at New Mexico.

4. CARL WILLIAMS IV, BAYLOR

2023 production: 20 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF, 2 PBU

Another nickel with tremendous coverage skills, Williams had a breakout freshman campaign in a young and inexperienced Baylor secondary. The Louisiana product had an 83.5 coverage grade on PFF, which was top 40 in the nation. Williams and Jenkins provide the Bears with two of the best young coverage players in America.

5. TERRANCE BROOKS, TEXAS 

2023 production: 20 tackles, 3 INT, 6 PBU

Brooks enters his junior season with 19 starts and 23 games played as a Longhorn. The Little Elm native was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection a year ago as a sophomore thanks to a career high three interceptions.

6. JATRAVIS BROUGHTON, TCU

2023 production: 37 tackles, 2 PBU

Broughton arrives in Fort Worth to replace Josh Newton as one of the Frogs’ starting cornerbacks after a solid and productive career at Utah. Broughton started 11 times at corner for the Utes in 2023 and 2022. He’s played in 47 career games with 29 starts in his college career. 

7. ISAIAH HAMILTON, HOUSTON 

2023 production: 50 tackles, 4 INT, 3.5 TFL, 1 FF

Hamilton’s 78.1 coverage grade ranked seventh among Big 12 cornerbacks in 2023. He started all 12 games at cornerback and was fourth on the team in tackles. Hamilton’s four interceptions were the fifth-most by a Cougar in the last decade.

8. BRAYLN LUX, TEXAS TECH

2023 production: 40 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT, 9 PBU

Lux led the Red Raiders in passes broken up in his first season in Lubbock. He’ll be the No. 1 cover corner for Texas Tech in 2024 as a super senior. Lux played in 12 games, starting eight times, last season. He missed the Kansas State game due to an injury. Lux was the second-highest graded defender for the Red Raiders in 2023.

9. WILL LEE, TEXAS A&M 

2023 production: 42 tackles, 2 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR

The Aggies reloaded in the secondary upon the arrival of Mike Elko as the new head coach. Numerous Texas A&M cornerbacks could hold this spot, including Tyreek Chappell or BJ Mayes, but we’ll go with the Kansas State transfer with long arms and play-making ability.

10. RIDGE TEXADA, NORTH TEXAS

2023 production: 34 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PBU

Texada’s production in 2023 didn’t match that of 2022, but he’s still one of the top cover corners in Texas. He appeared in 12 games last year with nine starts for a North Texas defense that struggled.