LSU’s football program has a rich tradition of producing elite defensive backs, particularly at the cornerback position, earning a reputation as an NFL powerhouse throughout the 2000s. Under Corey Raymond’s leadership, the Tigers consistently brought in top-tier recruits, with Raymond playing a key role in developing them into cornerstone players for NFL franchises.
While not every five-star prospect reaches their full potential, Raymond’s track record made it seem like any cornerback under his guidance was destined to become a first-round draft pick. His strong reputation allowed LSU to secure the nation’s top cornerback recruits, who then carried their dominance into the NFL.
With LSU landing some of the most highly rated prospects in modern recruiting history, here’s a look—according to 24/7 Sports—at the Tigers’ highest-ranked cornerback recruits of all time.
Eli Ricks
National Rank: 14th Positional Rank: 2nd Recruited By: Corey Raymond
After signing with LSU, true freshman Eli Ricks made an immediate impact, earning Third-Team All-American and Second-Team All-SEC honors while playing alongside Derek Stingley Jr. However, his sophomore season was cut short after just four games due to injury, and soon after, he transferred to Alabama.
DJ Pickett
At LSU, Ricks appeared to be on track to become a first-round pick, but injuries and his transfer ultimately derailed his draft stock, leading to him going undrafted.
National Rank: 11th Positional Rank: 2nd Recruited By: Corey Raymond
With Corey Raymond’s return to LSU, the pipeline of elite defensive backs flowing into Baton Rouge has been restored. Raymond wasted no time making an impact, landing the nation’s top cornerback, DJ Pickett, out of Florida.
Pickett joins an LSU squad in need of playmakers in the secondary as the Tigers aim to reestablish their defensive standard. As a true freshman, he’ll have the opportunity to earn a starting role, following in the footsteps of past LSU greats—possessing all the tools necessary to make an immediate impact.
Kevin Toliver II
National Rank: 9th Positional Rank: 2nd Recruited By: Corey Raymond
As a true freshman, Kevin Toliver showed immense promise, appearing in every game for LSU. However, his sophomore season was derailed by a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the latter half of the year.
In his final season with the Tigers, Toliver’s playing time began to dwindle, ultimately leading to his decision to enter the NFL Draft. Under today’s transfer portal rules, he might have had an opportunity to find a better situation to showcase his talent, but instead, it feels like he only scratched the surface of his potential.
Patrick Peterson
- National Rank: 6th Positional Rank: 1st Recruited By: Earl Lane
- When it comes to true shutdown cornerbacks, Patrick Peterson is the first name that comes to mind from LSU. As a freshman, he immediately lived up to expectations, appearing in 13 games. By his sophomore season, he had already established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the country.
By his junior year, quarterbacks simply avoided throwing his way—knowing that, at best, he would break up the pass, and at worst, he would intercept it. Peterson capped off his LSU career with an impressive list of accolades, including Second-Team and Unanimous All-American honors, Second-Team and First-Team All-SEC selections, and prestigious awards such as the Bednarik Award, the Thorpe Award, and the Jack Tatum Trophy before declaring for the NFL Draft.
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Derek Stingley Jr
Class of 2019- National Rank: 3rd Positional Rank: 1st Recruited By: Corey Raymond
- Few cornerback recruits have lived up to their five-star hype quite like Derek Stingley Jr. From the moment he stepped on the field, he proved to be a game-changer. As a freshman, he played a crucial role in LSU’s National Championship run, earning All-SEC and All-American honors.
In 2020, despite missing three games, Stingley once again secured First-Team All-SEC recognition. However, the 2021 season didn’t go as planned, as injuries limited him to just three games. Despite the setback, his talent was undeniable, leading to him being selected third overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
