Mel's Personnel Points

Two senior cornerbacks who are not listed among my top five but had fine efforts this past weekend are Vanderbilt's Myron Lewis and UCLA's Alterraun Verner.

Overshadowed by fellow cornerback D.J. Moore (a fourth-round pick in this year's NFL draft by Chicago) entering the 2008 campaign, it was Lewis who proved to be the Commodores' top playmaker in the secondary. The following numbers attest to his all-around ability: 76 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 5 interceptions. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he has terrific size for the position. He very much enjoys the physical aspects of the game, and as we witnessed against LSU, he has impressive ball skills. Durability is also a plus. Lewis has started 27 straight games at cornerback for the Commodores.

At 5-11, 180 pounds, Verner isn't nearly as imposing, but he's not afraid to come up and make a tackle -- and showed as much on several occasions against Tennessee. He's smooth in his backpedal and blessed with very good anticipation (he had an interception against the Vols), and I like his chances for success at the next level.

To continue reading Mel's Personnel Points, become an ESPN Insider.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe