HERO Sports is counting down the days until the kickoff of the 2018 college football season on Saturday, Aug. 25, by featuring the best player in the FBS at each jersey number, from 99-1. Each day, from May 18 through Aug. 24, we'll publish one article showcasing the best player whose jersey number matches the number of days remaining.
No. 18 Deandre Baker
Georgia – CB
If Tua Tagovailoa and DeVonta Smith hadn't connected on a 41-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama an overtime victory over Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship, Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker "probably" would've been preparing for his first NFL season. Instead, he's preparing for another shot at the Bulldogs' first title since 1980.
“That can’t happen again,” Baker said. “I felt I could help my team get back to the same game.”
Baker, who told he could be selected anywhere in the first three rounds of the 2018 draft, is back in Athens after a strong junior season — his first as a full-time starter — that included 44 tackles, 12 passes defended and three interceptions.
He allowed a passer rating of only 38.7 on 42 targets in conference play (second among SEC corners) and posted a catch rate of 37.1 percent on the season, fifth-among FBS corners.
Deandre Baker returns for his senior season as one of the best corners in the country and a potential first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
