1. Syd'Quan Thompson, California (5-9/191, Sr.)
BUZZ: He has made every start the past three seasons for the Golden Bears. He is fast and physical. Thompson had four interceptions, 18 passes defended and 70 tackles last season. He's also one of the Pac-10's best punt returners.

2. Trevard Lindley, Kentucky (6-0/175, Sr.)
BUZZ: Lindley will be a four-year starter and will leave school as one of the best defensive players in UK history. He has a school-record 34 career pass breakups and had four interceptions last season, including one he returned for a touchdown against South Carolina.

3. Kyle Wilson, Boise State (5-10/185, Sr.)
BUZZ: Wilson went to high school in Piscataway, N.J., the home of Rutgers, and he has thrived since moving West. Wilson had five interceptions and 10 pass breakups last season, when he also averaged 14.2 yards on 33 punt returns; he took three back for touchdowns.

4. Joe Haden, Florida (5-11, 190, Jr.)
BUZZ: He struggled as a true freshman in 2007, then blossomed last season as he became more comfortable at the position. He's strong in run support, and he has the strength, hands and quickness to also be a solid shutdown corner.

5. Alterraun Verner, UCLA (5-11/184, Sr.)
BUZZ: Verner, a mathematics/applied science major, obviously knows all the angles; he led the nation with 18 pass breakups last season. He also was second on the Bruins with 73 tackles.

6. Rafael Priest, TCU (5-10/181, Sr.)
BUZZ: He has started every game in his career and is a major reason the Horned Frogs had one of the best pass defenses in the nation last season. He had three picks and 10 pass breakups last season, giving him 29 in his career.

7. Devin Ross, Arizona (5-11/175, Sr.)
BUZZ: Ross is an aggressive and productive defender; he had three interceptions and 13 pass breakups last season. He's also solid in run support, with 50 tackles last season.

8. Amari Spievey, Iowa (6-0, 190, Jr.)
BUZZ: Longtime Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker says Spievey has the talent to be the best cornerback he has ever coached. Spievey has good size and knows how to find the ball in the air.

9. Janoris Jenkins, Florida (5-11, 188, Soph.)
BUZZ: He earned a starting job early last season as a true freshman. He thrives in man coverage and also has the toughness to offer run support.

10. Walter Thurmond III, Oregon (6-0, 180, Sr.)
BUZZ: Thurmond, who is a good kick returner, is an athletic and productive corner. He had five picks, eight pass breakups and 66 tackles last season.

11. Stephan Virgil, Virginia Tech (5-11, 189, Sr.)
BUZZ: He was the Hokies' other cornerback last season, playing in the shadow of Victor "Macho" Harris. This season, Virgil will be in the spotlight - and he will thrive.

12. Aaron Berry, Pittsburgh (5-11, 175, Sr.)
BUZZ: He is one of three returning starters in the secondary for the Panthers, who have an underrated defense. He has had some off-field issues, but he has talent.

13. Kendric Burney, North Carolina (5-9, 185, Jr.)
BUZZ: Burney is heading into his third season as a starter; look for him to get more national attention this season. He is fearless in run support (78 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss) and also is a solid cover man (three interceptions, five pass breakups).

14. Jasper Howard, Connecticut (5-9, 174, Jr.)
BUZZ: He was overshadowed by teammate Darius Butler (a second-round NFL draft pick) last season, but Howard should emerge as one of the best corners - if not the best - in the Big East this season. While he lacks ideal size, Howard has great quickness - which helps him double as a solid punt returner - and solid ball skills.

15. Chris Chancellor, Clemson (5-10, 165, Sr.)
BUZZ: He is a key part of what should be one of the best secondaries in the ACC, which has a lot of good secondaries. He's not overly big, but he had four interceptions and nine pass breakups last season.

16. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia (6-2, 200, Jr.)
BUZZ: Dowling is a big corner who is part of an underrated Cavaliers secondary. He had three picks and 11 pass breakups last season.

17. Patrick Peterson, LSU (6-1, 205, Soph.)
BUZZ: He became a starter midway through last season and performed well. He has good size and speed, and Peterson has the potential to eventually become the best cornerback in the SEC.

18. Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt (6-3, 205, Sr.)
BUZZ: He has excellent size and will be the leader of Vandy's secondary this season. Last season, he had star CB D.J. Moore on the other side of the field. Can Lewis be as effective without Moore in the secondary?

19. Patrick Robinson, Florida State (5-11, 193, Sr.)
BUZZ: Robinson had a big sophomore season in 2007, then slumped last season. He is the only returning starter for the Seminoles in the secondary, and as such, he needs to play well and provide leadership.

20. Chris L. Rucker, Michigan State (6-2, 197, Jr.)
BUZZ: Rucker is a good-sized corner who is a nice fit in coach Mark Dantonio's defensive scheme. Rucker is solid in run support and has good coverage skills.