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Cornerback Pierre Desir racked up 25 interceptions in his college career.

(AP File Photo)

Leading up to the 2014 NFL draft, MLive.com writers Justin Rogers and Kyle Meinke will preview prospects who could be a fit for the Detroit Lions.

Name: Pierre Desir

Position: Cornerback

School: Lindenwood

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 198 pounds

Projected round: 3rd-4th

40-yard dash time: 4.52 seconds

Key stats: Splitting time between Division II schools Washburn and Lindenwood, Desir was an interception machine, racking up 25 picks in four seasons. In addition to his 13 interceptions the past two years, he broke up another 17 throws for Lindenwood.

Desir was named the inaugural winner of the Cliff Harris Award, honoring the nation's best small school defensive player.

How he fits: Unless the Lions select Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert in the first round, or pull off an unexpected trade in the coming months, it's reasonable to believe Chris Houston and Darius Slay will be the team's starting cornerbacks, with Bill Bentley manning the nickel, come September.

Detroit has two other young cornerbacks on the roster in Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood, but the new coaching staff isn't tied to either player. They could stick based on their potential, or they could be ousted in favor of players defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and defensive backs coach Alan Williams identify during the draft process. Maybe it will be a little from column A and a little from column B.

If Austin and Williams are interested in taking on a raw project with loads of talent, Desir fits the bill. A big, rangy playmaker, it's going to take Desir extra time to adjust to the NFL, coming from Division II, but the ball skills combined with the frame are enticing.

Quotable: "Desir has talent, but is very raw. It will take some time for him to develop, but I can see him as a starter by the end of his second year or beginning of his third year. This player has a lot of upside and should get drafted in the third to fourth round." -- Greg Gabriel, former Chicago Bears college scouting director.