Cornerbacks to Buy Stock in This Season

The Tennessee high school football season continues this week. After a long offseason, we are finally back to the sport that we all love. With new seasons come breakout players, unknown commodities who make a name for themselves and even players who were good but have taken that next step in their football journey.   I'm doing a new series about each position where I find five players whom you and college coaches need to buy stock in. Continuing, I have the cornerbacks. Each one is a bit different in their own way, but definitely good enough to buy stock in for this season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    [player_tooltip player_id='1065916' first='Jeisun' last='Thompson'] is one of the most intriguing cornerbacks in the state of Tennessee. He showed a lot of flash as a freshman, then missed last year due to injury. Now, he's back on the field and has looked good to start 2026.   He offers good size for his position, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 170 pounds. The 2028 defensive back is a longer guy, giving him leverage over most wideouts that he'll face in this classification.   Thompson plays tight coverage, is a fluid mover, possesses high football instincts, is physical and is technically sound.    ---    [player_tooltip player_id='1092637' first='Messiah' last='Ward'] is coming off a good season with Westview, where he won a state title and established himself as a top cornerback in 2028. He had a good offseason and looks to build off that success from 2025.   He's a compact cornerback, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 170 pounds with a long frame. Ward has added some good size this offseason, which makes him a more attractive recruit in Tennessee.   Ward is a good coverage corner, but my favorite part of his game is the physicality he brings. The junior isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and blow somebody up. That, mixed with his lockdown coverage skills, makes him one of the top DBs in the class.    ---    [player_tooltip player_id='1704649' first='Jayden' last='Lanier'] transferred to Stone Memorial this offseason and has looked good so far. He's arguably been their top defensive player.   Lanier offers excellent size for his outside corner position. He stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 180 pounds with a long, stout frame. The junior corner is extremely athletic and has great athleticism that allows him to move all over.   Lanier is great in coverage, especially when he gets those long arms on you. The 2028 prospect mirrors wide receivers down the field, flips his hips well, can change direction and offers high football IQ.    ---    [player_tooltip player_id='1617434' first='Mason' last='Laster'] is one of my favorite players in Tennessee. I've said it at least three times, and I'll say it once again. The senior is one of the most underrated defensive backs in his class.   He's a compact cornerback, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 172 pounds with a lean, athletic frame. The 2027 prospect lacks size, but plays with great physicality, allowing him to still produce at a high level.   Laster is extremely athletic, recovers well, plays tight coverage, possesses quick instincts, uses his hands well and is a smart defensive back.    ---    [player_tooltip player_id='1576785' first='Terry' last='Ligon'] popped off last season, letting everybody know that he was a household name in Tennessee. He had a very strong offseason and now heads into 2026 looking to raise his stock.   He's a long defensive back, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 160 pounds. I would like him to add some weight, as it would help take his game to the next level. That said, he's been very good without the prototypical size of a Division I-level cornerback.   Ligon is a good coverage corner, can line up everywhere in the secondary, brings a great level of physicality, is a fluid mover and possesses a high IQ.

The Tennessee high school football season continues this week. After a long offseason, we are finally back to the sport that we all love. With new seasons come breakout players, unknown commodities who make a name for themselves and even players who were good but have taken that next step in their football journey.