Who’s the best cornerback in Maryland football history?

It’s Cornerbacks Week here at Testudo Times. It’s time to dig into Maryland’s past, just like we’ve done with quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, the offensive line, defensive line, and linebackers this summer.

Here’s a look at the nominees:

Domonique Foxworth

Foxworth was a three-time All-ACC selection and All-American candidate in his four seasons at Maryland. He started every game of his sophomore season, walking away with a 2002 First Team all-conference nod after tallying 17 pass breakups, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He earned a second team nod the following two years, and ended his time at Maryland tied for 20th on the interception leaderboard.

His professional career was cut short by injuries, and Foxworth retired after seven seasons in the NFL. He then turned his attention to Harvard Business School, where he graduated from in 2015, and is now a writer for The Undefeated.

Josh Wilson

Wilson made the most of his time at Maryland, playing in all but two games during his college career. He was a two-year starter for the Terps, earning honorable mentions for All-ACC and All-American teams in his final season. Wilson was one of the better cornerbacks in the country his senior season, and was named to the Senior Bowl and invited to the NFL combine for his work. He’s currently a professional free agent, though he last laced up in 2015.

Will Likely

Though Likely’s records may indicate he’s a better candidate for “best Terps returner” than cornerback, it’s easy to forget he broke onto the scene with a Big Ten-leading six interceptions in 2014. He returned two of those picks for touchdowns and picked up 170 interception return yards on the season, both Maryland single-season records.

His work as a kick returner has been as recognized as his work as a cornerback, picking up first team all-conference nods at both defensive back and returner for 2015. Though his senior season was ultimately cut short by injury, he was Maryland’s only player to play in all three phases the last two seasons.

Lewis Sanders

Sanders is the only Terp on this list to have spent time on Thorpe Award watch list, given to college football’s top defensive back. Sanders was a top candidate in the 1999 season, ending the year tied for most takeaways in the nation, with six interceptions and three fumble recoveries. For a time that season, he also led the nation in interceptions and kickoff returns and got a Third Team All-American nod for his effort.

Sanders still sits at seventh on the Terps career interception list, with 10, and spent nine seasons in the NFL.

Curome Cox

After redshirting his freshman season, Cox went on to start in 45 of 47 games over the next four seasons. Cox sits tied with Sanders for seventh all-time with 10 interceptions during his Maryland career, and helped get the Terps to a 2001 ACC Championship and three straight bowl appearances from 2001-03.

Cox had a five-year NFL career, primarily as a special teamer. After he retired, Cox spent three seasons as a Maryland graduate assistant, and he’s currently using his expertise as Randy Esdall’s defensive backs coach for UConn.

Honorable mention: Keeta Covington, Dexter McDougle, Tony Okanlawon