Georgia Football: Dawgs Baker Named Mid Season All-American

Deandre Baker is widely known as one of the best cornerbacks in all of college football, shutting down every number one wide receiver that Georgia Football as faced thus far. Pro Football Focus recently named Baker a mid-season All-American.

I have stated on numerous occasions that Deandre Baker is the best cornerback in the country. Pro Football Focus solidified my claims by naming the Georgia Football star to their Mid-season All American team.

Deandre Baker is a 5’11 185 pound senior cornerback. He played his prep ball at Northwestern High School in Miami, Florida.

Baker is a case of a three-star athlete, who developed much better than anyone expected. He was ranked just the 657th player nationally, and 83rd best player in the state of Florida. He was considered the 64th best at his position in his class. My how times have changed!

Deandre Baker took his game to the next level his junior year under the tutelage of coach Kirby Smart, a defensive back in his playing days. Baker was highly regarded by the NFL but decided to return to Athens for his senior season. That will likely pay off in increased draft stock, as he has played at an extremely high level.

Baker came into his senior season receiving accolades. He was named a second team Pre-season All-American by USA Today.

The SEC named Deandre Baker a Pre-season 1st Team cornerback, as shown by CBS Sports. He can now add Pro Football Focus Mid-season All American to his list of awards.

Pro Football Focus grades every play of every NFL and NCAA football game involving a draft prospect.

Halfway through the 2018 College Football season, PFF gives the Bulldogs cornerback a 91.3 out of 99.9. That ranks him first at his position and fourth among all college defenders. His 91.5 coverage grade also leads the nation.

Deandre Baker has played 218 snaps in coverage so far this season. He’s been targeted 30 times and allowed only 15 catches. What’s incredible is that he’s on allowed a total of 15 yards after the catch. That’s an average of one yard per catch!

Baker has broken up eight passes on the season and has two interceptions. He’s also recovered a fumble. Deandre would also have an interception return for a touchdown if he hadn’t dropped the ball before crossing the goal-line. Fortunately for the Dawgs, linebacker Juwon Taylor recovered the gaff.

The Georgia Bulldogs have shut down opposing number one wide receivers all season long, lead by Baker mostly shadowing them.

Georgia has faced preseason All SEC wide receivers Deebo Samuel of South Carolina and Emanuel Hall of Missouri. They have also faced Kalija Lipscomb of Vanderbilt, who entered the game as the SEC’s leading receiver. Combined, the three receivers produced only eight catches for 49 yards.

Deandre Baker‘s  NFL Draft stock is also soaring. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has Baker being drafted number 11 overall in round one in his latest mock draft. He’s projected as the second cornerback behind Andraez Williams aka “Greedy” of LSU, should the red-shirt sophomore enter the draft.

It will be interesting to see  how high Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker goes in the 2019 draft. It will also be intriguing to watch the battle between Greedy Williams and Baker for the Thorpe Award, the award for the best defensive back in the NCAA, and to be the top cornerback drafted in the NFL.

One thing is for certain, Deandre Baker is currently winning that battle! Opponents number wide receivers are certainly the least of the Georgia Bulldogs’ worries.

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