As we hit the preview portion of the 2024 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of what players and teams they should keep an eye on.
MORE: 2024 Preseason Preview Central
Here are the top returning FCS cornerbacks entering the 2024 season.
These rankings are formed by a combination of on-field production, postseason accolades, PFF grades, pro potential, and the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching games, knowing what system players are in, strength of opponents, etc.).
Best Returning Cornerbacks
30. Ty Leonard, SEMO
29. Tyron Herring, Delaware
28. JaMichael McGoy, UT Martin
27. Gavin Shipman, Harvard
26. Carson Hinton, Howard
25. Devyn Perkins, Southern Utah (transfer from Utah Tech)
24. David Miller, Southern Illinois
23. Robert McDaniel, Jackson State (transfer from Alcorn State)
22. Shahid Barros, South Dakota
21. Jalen Jones, William & Mary
20. Raequan Ousley, Gardner-Webb
19. James Burgess, Alabama State
18. Isaiah Green, Campbell
17. Bruce Harmon, Stephen F. Austin
16. Sean Guyton, Yale
15. Carlvainsky Decius, Morgan State
14. Eric Haney, San Diego
13. Joedrick Lewis, SEMO
12. Kendarius Smith, Nicholls
11. Nahil Perkins, Fordham
10. Jordan Washington, Dartmouth
9. Kaleb Lyons, Eastern Illinois (transfer from Morehead State)
8. Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T
7. Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M
6. Wande Owens, New Hampshire (transfer from Yale)
5. Oshae Baker, UT Martin
- 5-10, 200 lbs
- 3x All-Conference (2023 First Team)
- 2021: 68 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 4 INT, 9 pass breakups
- 2022: 46 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 INT, 8 pass breakups
- 2023: 49 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1 INT, 8 pass breakups
- 2023 PFF No. 21-graded FCS CB
4. Trevin Gradney, Montana
- 6-0, 188 lbs
- 2023: 27 tackles, 5 INT, 7 pass breakups
- 2023 All-Big Sky First Team
- 2023 Walter Camp All-American
- 2023 PFF No. 44-graded FCS CB
3. Dalys Beanum, South Dakota State
- 6-1, 195 lbs
- 2x All-MVFC
- 2021: 20 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 4 INT
- 2022: 37 tackles, 2 INT, 9 pass breakups
- 2023: 29 tackles, 5 INT, 7 pass breakups
- 2023 PFF No. 24-graded FCS CB
2. Isaiah Reed, Brown
- 6-0, 180 lbs
- 2x All-Ivy League (2023 First Team)
- 2022: 53 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 INT, 8 pass breakups
- 2023: 50 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 INT, 8 pass breakups
- 2023 PFF No. 9-graded FCS CB
1. Isas Waxter, Villanova
- 6-2, 215 lbs
- 2022: Missed the entire season
- 2023: 26 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 INT, 8 pass breakups
- 2023 FCS Football Central All-American Second Team
- 2023 All-CAA Second Team
- 2023 PFF No. 3-graded FCS CB
