Brandin Echols looks to establish himself as an elite college cornerback

After losing their top six defensive backs going into the 2019 season, the Kentucky Wildcats return all but one starter from last year’s secondary. Oh, and they return their top returning defensive back from 2018, who missed last season due to injury.

That’s the good news. The better news is that one of these returning DBs is Brandin Echols, who led an incredible secondary just a year ago. That group allowed just nine (9) touchdown passes all season long, which ranked No. 1 in the country, and they gave up just 168 passing yards per game, which ranked No. 2 in the country.

Echols was a big part of that success, and you’ll see why.

Brandin Echols

• Position: Defensive Back
• Class: Senior
• Measurements: 5-11, 175 lbs.
• Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
• School: Southaven
• Recruit Rankings: No. 58 JUCO nationally, No. 7 JUCO CB via 247Sports JUCO Composite Rankings

Echols was not a highly sought-after recruit coming out of high school. This led him to Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he started as a wide receiver. However, it became clear once he switched to DB his freshman year that that’s all he needed to blow up.

After totaling 49 tackles, six interceptions (No. 2 nationally), 12 PBUs (No. 4 nationally), one forced fumble, and one blocked kick, Echols suddenly became a three-star JUCO recruit with offers from the Houston Cougars, Memphis Tigers, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and Ole Miss Rebels, among others.

The 5-11, 175-pound cornerback chose Kentucky, and he was a stud in his first year in Lexington. He started 11 of 13 games at corner, totaling 52 tackles, nine PBUs, two forced fumbles, two and a half TFL, and one sack.

Despite a slow start to the year, which included him not starting the first couple of games, Echols was nothing short of awesome during his junior season. Don’t let his small stature fool you, he is an incredibly gifted athlete who shut down some great athletes in the SEC.

Oh, and he not only defends passes well, but he also loves to hit.

Echols has been tabbed to the Senior Bowl Watch list, and multiple Preseason All-SEC teams. And more importantly, he recently announced that he is having a baby girl, so look out for the dad strength this fall.

Looks can be deceiving, but make no mistake, Brandin Echols is here and he is going to be a star for the best secondary in the country in 2020.

Oh, and Echols just became a father.

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