Derek Stingley Jr, Cornerback
No. 1 Overall
There isn’t a player in the SEC that garners as much attention as Derek Stingley Jr. After a freshman season where he led the team in interceptions, Stingley completely shut down the opposition in the title game. Last year was a completely different story. While he didn’t create the turnovers like in 2019, he only allowed receptions on 46.7% of targets. All of 0.3% higher than Ricks. This year he will add offense to his arsenal as the team wants to give him snaps at wide receiver and running back. If he can bounce back in 2021 under the new staff, Stingley could be a two-way weapon for the Tigers.
Even though 2020 was a bit of a lost year for Stingley, the guy still turned in one of the best seasons we’ve ever seen from a college football defensive back in 2019. That gives him the benefit of the doubt in my book. Besides, DeVonta Smith is gone now. Relax, LSU fans. Just joking. Teams didn’t throw on Stingley much last year. He only saw 30 targets in his 7 games of action. That number should increase with the aforementioned Ricks now established as an elite corner himself. Stingley was so good in 2019 that he still has PFF’s highest coverage grade (91.3) and interceptions (4) in single coverage over the past 2 years.
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