Top 10 Cornerbacks Who Played 7v7 Football of All Time

Lockdown Legends: The Top 10 Cornerbacks Who Played 7v7 Football of All Time

You want clamps? You want swag? These cornerbacks didn’t just play 7v7—they ran it. From lockdown island coverage to pick-six flair, these dudes showed early that no route was safe and no QB was comfortable.

7v7 football gave us a sneak peek at who had that dawg in ’em before Saturdays and Sundays. These cornerbacks didn’t wait for the lights to get bright—they made their name in shorts, gloves, and straight competition.

We’re counting down the Top 10 Cornerbacks Who Played 7v7 Football of All Time—and if you’re throwing their way, you better pack a prayer.

This site uses affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you click at no cost to you.

10. Tony Grimes

Cornerback, 6’2”, 190 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: GAME Academy, 2018–2020
College: North Carolina, Texas A&M, UNLV
NFL: N/A

Tony Grimes had that lockdown energy before he even stepped on a varsity field. With GAME Academy, he was the go-to corner tasked with shadowing every top wideout in the building. His press coverage was nasty, his hips were smooth, and his instincts? Straight film room certified.

Grimes didn’t just play physical — he played smart. Whether it was jumping routes or forcing QBs to throw elsewhere, he brought that DB1 mindset to every rep. That 7v7 experience fast-tracked his development — and he skipped his senior year of high school to start at UNC.

He’s bounced around, but the raw tools and that 7v7 foundation still have scouts watching.

Accolades:
– 5-Star Recruit (No. 1 CB, Class of 2021 before reclassifying)
– USA Today All-American
– Freshman Starter at UNC in 2020

9. AJ Terrell

Cornerback, 6’1”, 195 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: Hustle Inc, 2015–2017
College: Clemson
NFL: Atlanta Falcons

AJ Terrell was built for spotlight moments — and he got plenty of them playing with Atlanta’s Hustle Inc on the 7v7 circuit. He combined length, speed, and confidence with smooth backpedals and sticky man coverage that frustrated elite receivers before he ever put on Clemson orange.

He was the kind of corner who wanted the top assignment. That fearless mindset carried into college, where he became a national champion and left his mark with a pick-six in the 2019 title game. In the league, he’s become one of the most reliable young shutdown corners in the NFC.

Accolades:
– 2019 National Champion at Clemson
– 1st Round Pick (16th overall), 2020 NFL Draft
– 2021 Second-Team All-Pro

8. Cormani McClain

Cornerback, 6’2”, 165 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: DEFCON Florida, 2020–2023
College: Colorado, Florida
NFL: N/A

Cormani McClain was one of the most hyped defensive backs in the nation — and it all started with his dominance at DEFCON Florida. He flipped the field in 7v7 with his rare length, effortless recovery speed, and natural ball-hawking ability. Quarterbacks learned fast not to test him.

Accolades:
– No. 1 CB in the Class of 2023 (247Sports, Rivals)
– Under Armour All-American

7. Tyson Campbell

Cornerback, 6’2”, 195 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: South Florida Express, 2015–2018
College: Georgia
NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars

Tyson Campbell made press coverage look personal. With South Florida Express — arguably the Alabama of 7v7 squads — he sharpened his technique by guarding the best receivers in the country every weekend. And he didn’t just hold his own — he locked dudes up.

Campbell’s track speed, fluid hips, and patient footwork made him a nightmare in man coverage. At Georgia, he became a multi-year starter, and by the time he hit the league, he was NFL-ready from day one. His development curve? Steady, consistent, and built off elite reps in shorts and cleats.

Accolades:
– 5-Star Recruit
– 2nd Round Pick (33rd overall), 2021 NFL Draft

6. Jeff Okudah

Cornerback, 6’1”, 205 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: True Buzz Athletics, 2015–2017
College: Ohio State
NFL: Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Minnesota

Jeff Okudah was a product of True Buzz Athletics, one of the top programs in Texas, and his 7v7 reps were all gas, no breaks. Explosive breaks, sticky hips, and A+ football IQ — Okudah was a sponge, learning fast and locking up even faster.

He turned that 7v7 edge into a dominant career at DBU: Ohio State, where he never allowed a single touchdown in his junior season. Known for being technically sound and physically imposing, Okudah’s tools made him the No. 3 overall pick — the highest cornerback selected in over two decades at the time.

Accolades:
– Consensus All-American (2019)
– No. 3 Overall Pick in 2020 NFL Draft

This site uses affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you click at no cost to you.

5. Eli Ricks

Cornerback, 6’2”, 190 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: Ground Zero, 2017–2020
College: LSU, Alabama
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles

Eli Ricks played like a receiver with bad intentions. With Ground Zero — one of the most respected 7v7 teams in the nation — Ricks turned heads for his ability to bait QBs and jump routes with surgical precision. His long frame and elite ball skills were impossible to ignore.

In high school, he was a pick machine. At LSU, he made an immediate impact with a 91-yard pick-six as a freshman. Then he transferred to Alabama and sharpened his technique against top-tier talent. Ricks didn’t just survive the SEC — he thrived in it.

Accolades:
– 5-Star Recruit
– 2020 Freshman All-American (LSU)

4. Jalen Ramsey

Cornerback, 6’1”, 208 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: Gamechanger Sports, 2011–2013
College: Florida State
NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins

Jalen Ramsey was built different from day one. On the 7v7 scene with Gamechanger Sports, he looked like a grown man playing against kids. His elite footwork, trash talk, and raw athleticism made him a walking no-fly zone before he even hit Tallahassee.

At Florida State, he did it all — safety, nickel, outside corner — and made it look easy. Once in the NFL, Ramsey backed up every word and every flex. He’s been one of the most feared corners in the game for nearly a decade, and it all traces back to those early 7v7 reps where he set the tone.

Accolades:
– 2013 BCS National Champion
– 5th Overall Pick, 2016 NFL Draft
– 6× Pro Bowler, 3× First-Team All-Pro
– Super Bowl LVI Champion with Rams

This site uses affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you click at no cost to you.

3. Marshon Lattimore

Cornerback, 6’0”, 192 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: Ohio Elite, 2012–2014
College: Ohio State
NFL: New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders

Marshon Lattimore brought elite twitch and short-area burst to the 7v7 game with Ohio Elite. His ability to mirror receivers off the line and break on throws made him a turnover threat on every snap. Scouts knew early — this kid was special.

At Ohio State, Lattimore took over after patiently waiting his turn. Once he hit the field, he locked down Big Ten receivers all year and skyrocketed up draft boards.

Accolades:
– 1st Round Pick (11th overall), 2017 NFL Draft
– 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
– 4× Pro Bowl Selection

2. Derek Stingley Jr.

Cornerback, 6’1”, 195 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: Bootleggers, 2016–2019
College: LSU
NFL: Houston Texans

Derek Stingley Jr. was that dude on the 7v7 circuit with Louisiana’s legendary Bootleggers squad. He played the ball like a wide receiver and covered like he was stitched to the route. Coaches called him a natural — fans just called him a problem.

At LSU, he became a starter on one of the greatest teams in college football history as a true freshman. His blend of length, IQ, and closing speed made him a no-brainer at the next level, going No. 3 overall in the draft — tied for the highest CB pick ever.

Accolades:
– Consensus All-American (Freshman Year, 2019)
– National Champion (2019 LSU)
– 3rd Overall Pick, 2022 NFL Draft

1. Patrick Surtain II

Cornerback, 6’2”, 208 lbs
High School 7v7 Team: South Florida Express, 2015–2018
College: Alabama
NFL: Denver Broncos

Patrick Surtain II played like a seasoned vet before he could legally vote. With South Florida Express, he didn’t just defend — he dictated. Flawless technique, elite football IQ, and unmatched poise defined his game, and he rarely gave up anything easy.

At Alabama, he started as a freshman and left as an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. In the NFL, he’s been every bit of the shutdown corner scouts projected — a physical, polished, no-nonsense DB who rarely gets beat. From 7v7 camps to Sunday matchups, Surtain’s game travels.

Accolades:
– 5-Star Recruit, No. 1 CB in Class of 2018
– 2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year
– Consensus All-American (2020)
– 9th Overall Pick, 2021 NFL Draft
– 2022 First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl