A year removed from Travis Hunter and Will Johnson dominating headlines as the top cornerbacks in the country, who leads the pack in 2025? Thanks to CSN’s Top 100 Returning Players for 2025, we can take a look at how the list of top cornerbacks has shaken out.
9) A’Marion McCoy, CB, Boise State
National Rank: 78
A’Marion McCoy received a CSN All-American honorable mention for his contributions toward the Boise State Broncos run to the College Football Playoff and returns for the 2025 season thanks to an eligibility waiver relating to his time at Laney College.
His official position reads cornerback, but his job description should be “professional route jumper,” as he consistently uses his speed and football IQ to get into passing lanes and break up plays, resulting in a Mountain West-high 14 pass breakups in 2024.
8) Jermaine Matthews Jr., CB, Ohio State
National Rank: 67
After earning CSN Freshman All-American honors in 2023, Jermaine Matthews Jr. had a somewhat situational role in the Ohio State Buckeyes run to the national championship. A big-time player when called upon, he made his presence known in the opposition backfield in 2024 and is set to be a starting cornerback for the defending champions this fall.
It’s a testament to his talent that many in and around the program believe he was the best cornerback on the roster this year despite his usage.
7) Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
National Rank: 56
Avieon Terrell is set to follow in the family’s footsteps as a Sunday starter (his brother is Atlanta Falcons standout AJ Terrell), but he graces the college football scene for one last time with his return for the 2025 campaign.
A high-level producer who tallied 12 pass breakups and two interceptions for the Clemson Tigers in 2024, Terrell is a game-changer in every facet of the game, showcasing astonishing coverage capability while having the athleticism and physicality to impact the ground game.
6) Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
National Rank: 46
The Texas Longhorns had an elite secondary in 2024. While several of the players making up that unit are off to the NFL, an underrated element returns to Austin for the 2025 college football season.
Malik Muhammad tallied eight pass breakups in his second season with the program and should be one of the lockdown cornerbacks to know this fall. A disappointing showing in the playoff shouldn’t define his ceiling.
5) Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
National Rank: 39
After transferring from the Oregon State Beavers ahead of the 2024 campaign, Joermod McCoy had a season for the ages with the Tennessee Volunteers, earning CSN Third Team All-American honors alongside CSN First Team All-SEC recognition.
A physical ball hawk whose tape is littered with highlight reel plays, McCoy snagged four interceptions and nine breakups last season. His ceiling in our top 100 returning college football players is only restricted by an ACL tear sustained in offseason training.
4) Xavier Scott, CB, Illinois
National Rank: 29
The Illinois Fighting Illini received several pieces of good news this offseason, but none were much more significant than the return of cornerback Xavier Scott. A CSN Third Team All-American for his efforts in 2024, he often looked like the best defensive back on the field and takes his rightful place at the sharp end of our top 100 returning players.
A stick coverage man with an eye for the ball, he snagged four interceptions and a pick-six in 2024 and is set for even bigger things this fall.
3) Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
National Rank: 22
The loss of Benjamin Morrison to injury could have derailed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s path to the playoff last year. Still, true freshman cornerback Leonard Moore rose to the occasion in a euphoric fashion.
While Xavier Watts led the team in interceptions, Moore snagged two picks and led the team with 11 pass breakups. Teams trying to target their top receiver were stymied repeatedly by his top-tier skill set.
2) D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
National Rank: 19
A CSN Freshman All-American in 2023 with the James Madison Dukes, D’Angelo Ponds transferred to the Indiana Hoosiers and somehow upped his game with the transition to the Big Ten.
With 22 pass breakups and five interceptions over two seasons, throwing toward Ponds will sink your offense while he’s capable of flooding the box and impacting the game behind the line of scrimmage.
1) Raion Strader, CB, Auburn
National Rank: 9
Suppose you’re not familiar with Raion Strader’s game from his two seasons with the Miami RedHawks. In that case, you might be confused as to why the new Auburn Tigers cornerback is ranked this highly among the top 100 returning college football players for 2025. You should acquaint yourself with the junior defensive back’s talents because he’s about to emerge into the national consciousness in the SEC after two years of domination in the MAC.
MORE: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
Strader was a CSN First Team All-American in 2024, following on from a 2023 campaign that earned him Freshman All-American honors. The former RedHawk led the nation with 18 pass breakups last fall, snagging two interceptions along the way.
He already has experience against Power Four opposition (Miami Hurricanes, 2023; Cincinnati Bearcats, 2023 and 2024; Northwestern Wildcats, 2024; Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 2024), so the transition to the SEC shouldn’t be an issue.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
