The Future of the Cornerback Position at OSU

The cornerback position is loaded this season. Kevin Peterson, Michael Hunter, Ashton Lampkin, and Ramon Richards are all starting caliber cornerbacks who will be involved defensively.

With Kevin Peterson and Michael Hunter departing after this season, however, the Cowboys could find themselves unusually inexperienced in the reserve slots next year.

Barring a surprise Heisman campaign, Ramon Richards and Ashton Lampkin should return as respectable cornerbacks with starting experience in the Big 12. But past that, the position will not return much, if any, experience.

As of now, the coaching staff intends to add four cornerbacks into the program next year. Out of the bunch, it is likely that several of the future freshmen (and one junior college transfer) will be called upon for meaningful game experience next season. So let’s take a look at the bunch and see who could be early contributors.

AJ Green – Desoto, Texas

Green is the most recent commit in the 2016 recruiting class, choosing OSU over OU, Missouri, Louisville and others. The coaches have been pursuing him for awhile, which suggests they are probably very high on him. He is a 6-foot-1 cornerback who I expect to benefit most from a senior season. Playing at Desoto, Green will face Texas’ best competition, which should prepare him well to compete early next year.

Rodarius Williams – Shrevport, La.

Williams was all but committed to Oklahoma before announcing his decision to commit to OSU during the spring game in April. Williams is a 6-foot prospect who is also a track star for Calvary Baptist Academy. His football and track experience should give him a leg up on the competition when he arrives on campus next year, but his slight frame makes me worry he may be a year away from being ready to compete in the Big 12.

Madre Harper – Arlington, Texas

Harper is a prospect with excellent height for his position. At 6-foot-3, he is a rare cornerback who can shadow defenders and cause matchup nightmares with his size alone. 247Sports has him listed at 170 pounds, however. He will need to pack some pounds on his frame if he can make an early impact.

Malik Kearse – Fort Scott, C.C.

Kearse is the most experienced of the bunch, who took the junior college route after suffering an injury his senior season and not garnering enough college interest. Kearse finished his freshman season with 37 tackles and two interceptions, and will be one of the more valuable players entering the 2016 season.

His development this season in the junior college ranks will determine just how good the bunch will be next year. If anyone comes in to push for playing time upon arrival, I expect it to be Kearse.