The Big Ten is absolutely loaded at the cornerback position, and there are plenty of candidates for the top spot. If you like man-to-man shutdown players, zone specialists, playmakers and/or all-around wrecking balls, this may be the conference for you.
Here are our five best corners in the Big Ten heading into 2026.
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No. 5 Zach Lutmer, Iowa
Lutmer did a bit of everything for the Hawkeyes as a redshirt sophomore, accumulating 71 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and three picks (one for a touchdown) en route to second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and third-team from the media. PFF graded him an impressive 83.5; however, perhaps the most impressive part of his game is his versatility. Lutmer lined up at slot (398 snaps), out wide (118), in the box (125), on the defensive line (76), and was all over the place on punt team.
4 Jamari Sharpe, Indiana
Sharpe grasped the National Championship-sealing interception for the Hoosiers during their bout with Miami, and the door is open for a standout fifth year now that standout corner D’Angelo Ponds is in the NFL. Already a two-year starter, Sharpe has been at Indiana since the Tom Allen days; his current coach, Curt Cignetti, appears to have no issues leaving him on an island without over-the-top safety help.
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No. 3 Jyaire Hill, Michigan
Hill had a bit of a down 2025 season based on expectations, but he still has all the physical tools to build upon his honorable mention All-Big Ten campaign. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder notched one pick and one sack last fall, and PFF rated his overall defensive game with a 77.6 grade. He can boost his draft stock by reaching his potential and blossoming into a marquee, shutdown corner who can line up all over the field.
2 Xavier Scott, Illinois
You may have forgotten about Scott after he was limited to only three games in 2025, but the fifth-year senior returns to action after suffering a right foot/ankle injury in September and should quickly reestablish himself among the Big Ten’s premier corners. Back in 2024, the coaches voted him as a second-team All-Big Ten member and the media voted him first-team — he picked off four passes, one for a touchdown, had two tackles for loss, a sack, and earned a very solid 80.6 overall grade from PFF.
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1 Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon
All Finney did as a true freshman as a Day 1 starter was earn second-team All-Big Ten honors among the coaches, record three interceptions — one for a score — eight pass deflections, three tackles for loss and, according to ESPN, “Didn’t allow a catch in eight of his 15 starts and surrendered just 12 catches on 37 targets last season.” At 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, he has the length and mobility to eliminate his matchup, and teams are typically better off throwing the other way. There are few, if any, corners in the conference that offer the full package like Finney.
