Spotlight Series: 2024 Cornerbacks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I debated whether this next Spotlight Series should be all defensive backs combined or if it needed to be divided between cornerbacks and safeties. However, after taking a deep dive into the 2022 highlights for both positions, I came to realize New Jersey is completely stacked defensively in the 2024 class. It would be a disservice to condense both positions into one category. Even amongst cornerbacks it was difficult to narrow the list down to only 5 players. After going back and forth between players, here are 5 of the top cornerbacks in New Jersey that deserve the spotlight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Adrian Laing","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Paramus Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Adrian Laing is a sneaky cornerback. Watch him as he baits multiple quarterbacks to throw his direction, only to pick them off or take the ball out of the hands of the wideout. He has everything you're looking for in a cornerback at the collegiate level. He presses aggressively at the line, never giving the receiver much hope for getting down field, and he's just as good at finding the ball when he drops into zone. With how hard Adrian is able to hit, you would think you're watching a linebackers highlights. He has the size necessary to be elite, and I expect the colleges to start recognizing it over these next few months.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b438383"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11956127/6328da036e81750a18ab3ec2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b4383eb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172521"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='172521' first='Jaylen' last='McClain'] can run with the best of them. This man has some air tight coverage, never giving the QB much of a window to throw into. Jaylen has some of the best speed that I saw out of all of the cornerbacks in New Jersey. He can get out of his back peddle very quickly, and sprint up to the line to stop the running back in his tracks. His speed was also on full display as he chased down some of the elite backs from behind. Make sure you pay attention to what Jaylen does in 2023.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b438440"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14534020/637a5e794210260838b8124b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b438460"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270962"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Another cornerback with amazing speed and quickness, [player_tooltip player_id='270962' first='Austin' last='Stull'] deserves the spotlight. His foot work sets him apart from most players in his position. Choppy with his feet, he showed in 2022 how elite is reaction time is. I was very impressed with his ability to sprint back up to the line and contain the running back, forcing him back inside. Austin was efficient on both sides of the ball. Truly, he could have made the Spotlight Series for wide receivers with how good his hands are. I am sure in 2023 we will see those hands play an even bigger role on the defensive side of the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b4384c7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16757004/636084c2a680d812e0453168' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b4384f9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["380388"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Just watch [player_tooltip player_id='380388' first='Chaas' last='McCoy']'s first play of his 2022 highlights. That pick six encompasses everything you need to know about this cornerback. He has amazing anticipation and ability to jump the ball. Those skills stem from his ability to change direction like few others can. He's right up there with the best of them at the cornerback position. I have a feeling every quarterback he plays in 2023 will think twice about throwing in his direction.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b438542"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14731003/6360117ba680d809d4952029' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b43855f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378554"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='378554' first='Denzel' last='Chavis'] fits the definition of a shut down corner. Letting up only 3 catches in all of 2022, this man was glued to the receiver and never gave an itch of separation. This in part comes from his explosive change of direction. Denzel has the unique ability to stop on a dime and break on the ball in any direction. He is a sure tackler, and needs to get more attention from big time programs. He received his first D1 offer from Boston College in January, and if he continues playing the way he has, we should see another 20 or so offers head his direction.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b4385a7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8632235/637281eba022a80974b555fd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640879b4385c4"} /-->