Should star defensive backs play nickel or corner?

At which position should a team's top defensive back play in a modern college secondary? The NFL still seems to think the answer is cornerback.

I was pretty sure that after this season Texas’ “Star” (a common term for a team’s nickel position) Jahdae Barron would enter the NFL Draft and go in the 2nd round or even late 1st round.

He moved from serving in the rotation at cornerback in 2021 as a sophomore to starting at Star in 2022 and put up 78 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and three pass break-ups. Pretty good.

In 2023 he battled nagging injuries all season (though he didn’t miss much time) and put up 60 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and six pass break-ups. After the season he was convinced to return while also switching from his old number of 23 to former Thorpe Award winner and 1st round Draft pick Michael Huff’s #7 (with Huff’s public blessing and torch passing).

Michael Huff was drafted from the 2005 National Championship Longhorns after a brilliant season as a strong safety where he had 109 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and 14 pass break-ups. He’d hover around the box some but also spent a fair bit of time playing slot receivers in man coverage…much like a nickel would.

You don’t see nickel defenders from the college game drafted particularly high, although you do see safeties sneak up to the early rounds. Why is that? Is it a misapprehension by NFL scouts about the value of these defenders or a reflection on the sorts of guys who man the position in college?

It’s a fulcrum position for college units which sets the table for what kind of defense you can run…but is it a position that tends to be manned by future pros?