| Safety |
| Brian Branch, Alabama |
| Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M |
| Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State |
| Jartavius Martin, Illinois |
| Sydney Brown, Illinois |
| Christopher Smith II, Georgia |
| Jammie Robinson, Florida State |
| JL Skinner, Boise State |
| Jordan Battle, Alabama |
| Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State |
| Brandon Hill, Pitt |
| Daniel Scott, Cal |
| Marte Mapu, Sacramento State |
| Kaevon Merriweather, iowa |
| Chamarri Conner, Virginia Tech |
| Anthony Johnson Jr. Iowa State |
| Gervarrius Owens, Houston |
| Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State |
| DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama |
| Jordan Howden, Minnesota |
| Trey Dean III, Florida |
| Tyreque Jones, Boise State |
| Rashad Torrence II, Florida |
Brian Branch, Alabama
Branch (6'0/190) cut his teeth as a true freshman in 2020, logging reserve snaps until the post-season when he started the CFP semi-final and national championship game, recording 8 tackles, four stops and two PBU while playing 113 reps. He started half of Bama’s games in 2021 but really emerged last year by rolling up 90 tackles, 14,0 TFL and nine PBU for a masterful 89.5 PFF defensive grade en route to receiving First Team All-America accolades. Valued for his ability to cover shifty slot receivers at the line or drop back into single-high looks, Branch lined up on the slot receiver on 68% of his 1,642 career snaps. His ability to cover is first-class, allowing just one pass of more than 20-yards with a solid 86.4 PFF coverage grade in 2022. Branch is also a suffocating tackler who takes direct angles to the ball carrier and rarely lets prey escape his grasp, converting an astounding 116-of-119 tackle opportunities (2.5% miss rate) with 65 stops over the last two seasons. The drawback for Branch is his rather mundane 5.26 RAS reflects a worrisome lack of high-end traits for a player that is already undersized. Even so, Branch’s savant-like football instincts and proven success on CFB’s biggest stage make his overall profile greater than the sum of his parts, which is why he’s such a sought after commodity and the unquestioned alpha of the 2023 safety class.
Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
A top-100 overall recruit and Under Armour All-American participant, Johnson (6'2/198) has the ideal length and stature for an NFL safety. He played mostly in the slot during his first year as a starter, recording 603 of his 800 snaps there with 130 of his other reps coming in the box. The Second Team All-SEC safety held opponents to a suffocating 71.2 passer rating when targeted to go with a very respectable 8.4% missed tackle rate and 88.7 PFF cover grade in 2021. His role changed in 2022 as new DC DJ Durkin spread Johnson around a bit more, with the standout safety playing 280 slot snaps, 128 in the box and 110 at free safety. He posted 28 stops last year, which was two more than he had in 2021 despite playing 218 less snaps. Despite playing in just nine games, he received AP First Team All-SEC recognition along with being named a Second Team All-American according to PFF. His 1.55 10-yard split (86th%) shows the twitch he possesses, though his overall 4.78 RAS gives pause in relation to his overall athletic traits. The Aggies’ team leader in tackles per game, Johnson is a long, aggressive safety who has the play recognition ability to fill the correct gaps, and the strength to blow up running backs in the hole.
Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State
Brown (5'11/203) rose up from the junior college ranks to earn a scholarship in 2020 and earn All-Big Ten recognition in both 2021 and 2022. He thrived with the Nittany Lions, finishing fifth in solo tackles each of the last two seasons while recording 10 interceptions, Brown also increased his rush responsibilities last year, posting 15 pressures with a phenomenal 90.6 pass rush grade that was the fourth highest mark nationally. The Trenton, NJ product is a moveable chess-piece who played 682 career snaps at free safety, 510 in the box and 259 in the slot. A strong, compact player who pushed out 18 bench reps at the Combine (80th%), Brown’s ramp up speed was confirmed by a very commendable 1.56s 10-yard split (83rd%) and 4.21s shuttle (71st%). Though his 4.65s 40-yard dash (37th%) and 32.5” vertical (28th%) leave something to be desired, Brown makes up for a lack of elite traits with a willingness to mix it up on the interior and crash down in run support. A high football IQ player who relishes the enforcer role, Brown has the skills and makeup to be a core defensive contributor on the NFL level.
Quan Martin, Illinois
A former three-star recruit who didn’t receive any other Power Five offers besides Illinois, Martin (5'11/194) started his collegiate career as an outside corner. He logged 745 reps over his first two seasons and a 43.5% completion rate in 2019 before making the transition to nickel/safety and found his calling. Excelled under Illinois defensive guru DC Ryan Walters who maximized Martin’s elite quickness and ability to handle shifty receivers by lining him up in the slot 63% of the time. A technically sound run defender, he missed just 5.4% of his tackle attempts over the past two seasons and ranked fourth nationally with a 90.6 PFF tackling grade in 2022. Also helping Martin’s case is his athletic profile, running a 4.46s 40-yard dash (90th%) and the fastest 10-yard split in the 2023 safety class (1.44s). His 44” vertical and 11'01” broad jump were both out-of-this-world 99th percentile marks for a combined 9.29 RAS. What Martin lacks in size and strength, he makes up for with incredible athletic traits and technical savvy making him a valuable nickel-back prospect.
Jammie Robinson, Florida State
Robinson (5'11/191) spent his first two seasons at South Carolina where he logged the majority of his reps in the slot to take advantage of his tenacity around the line of scrimmage and short-area mirroring ability. He thrived in the role, playing 670 recording 62 tackles and five PBU and a scintillating 90.7 PFF tackling grade en route to receiving Freshman All-SEC accolades. However after HC Will Muschamp was replaced by current HC Shane Beamer, Robinson opted to transfer to Florida State for a fresh start. It was a prescient decision, with Robinson recording a gaudy 183 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 13 PBU and five interceptions over his two seasons with the Noles, earning First Team All-ACC recognition in each. His role changed last season, with the Second Team All-American logging 76% of his snaps at either free safety or in the box as opposed to his previously slot-heavy role. The move allowed Robinson to showcase his toughness near the line and notable ability to sift through traffic and bring down ball carriers, as his 7.3 career missed tackle rate backs up. However, he’s pretty small for box work in the NFL and will likely put his 6.89s 3-Cone (85th%) and 1.51 10-yard split (98th%) to use by harassing slot receivers as a versatile nickel back who can also drop back to single-high when called upon.
Jordan Battle, Alabama
An accomplished four-year player who played over 3,000 snaps for the vaunted Alabama defense, Battle (6'1/209) is a well proportioned box-defender who posted 221 tackles, 14 tackles and five interceptions while starting 39 games over the past three seasons. The two-time, First Team All-SEC safety lined up in at free safety 64% of the time and Though he’s likely too big to be lined up on NFL caliber slot receivers, lining up there just 14% of the time this year, Battle is very effective when breaking downhill and lowering the boom from the second and third levels, as is reflected in his 85.2 coverage grade. He held his own with a solid 4.55s 40-yard dash (81st%) and 1.55s 10-yard split (91st%), but poor sub 30th percentile marks in the 3-Cone (24th%), vertical (9th% - 29.5”) and broad jump (27th%) drag down his overall athletic profile. Though instinctive with a lunch pail work ethic and intimidating play-style, Battle has tight hips and limited range while will likely narrow his role in his transition to The League.
Christopher Smith, Georgia
A five-year Dawg from the strong 2018 recruiting class that helped form the backbone of Georgia’s back-to-back national titles, Smith (5'11/192) had a college career that all players dream of. He started 26 games over the last two seasons culminating his 61 tackle, 5.0 TFL, 8 PBU, 3 interception campaign in 2022 that earned him Unanimous All-American accolades. 547 of his 812 snaps last season came at free safety, as Smith allowed just 20 receptions for 211 yards and a sensational 50.0 NFL passer rating against in his final run with UGA. His Combine workout was a profound disappointment, as the Georgia captain ran a 4.62s 40 (46th%) with a brutal 9th% 3-Cone and a pair of sub-35th percentile jump marks combined for a 2.92 RAS. A, wiry, undersized frame limits his ability to out-leverage opponents and impose his will. But he has an advanced feel for his responsibilities within the scheme and is consistently in position to make plays, as is shown in his SEC collegiate production. While Smith is more than willing to sift through trash in the run game, he’s better in zone coverage where his clean angles and route savvy can help makeup for suboptimal athleticism.
JL Skinner, Boise State
Skinner (6'4/209) is a San Diego native who graduated from Point Loma High and chose to leave the beach for the high-desert climate of Boise. The two-time All-Mountain West performer accrued 157 tackles, 15 PBU, six interceptions and a solid 82.1 PFF coverage grade over the last two seasons. Almost shockingly tall for the safety position, Skinner is a full inch taller than Quentin Johnston with 32” arms that helped him hold opponents to a microscopic 40.1 NFL passer rating when targeted in 2022. His long, loping strides help him to cover ground and stay with tight ends, though he’s probably not going to be cut out for mirroring NFL slot receivers. A pec injury caused him to miss the pre-Draft testing process, but on tape he displays a taste for physicality with Skinner lined up in the box on 54% of his snaps last year. He profiles an enforcer with plus range and tight hips that will likely keep him from working the slot too often. Proven special teams value will help Skinner provide value in multiple facets of the game while he develops into a defensive backfield contributor. He is proportioned similar to Taylor Mays.
Sydney Brown, Illinois
Brown (5'10/211) is the twin-brother of Illinois RB Chase Brown who has been a staple of the program for five years spanning 3,168 snaps, 319 tackles, 26 PBU and 10 interceptions to go with three All-Big Ten nods. His NFL Draft stock soared this year in Illinois’ top-3 rated defense when Brown racked up 13 PBU and six interceptions, earning Second Team All-American honors. The rocked-up Brown lined up primarily in the box where he posted 25 stops with a sensational 49.6 NFL Passer Rating when targeted as he reinforced the front-seven with authority. Arguably the freakiest safety in the class, Brown ran a scorching 4.47s 40 (94th%), 1.50s 10-yard split (99th%) along with a 40.5” vertical (97th%) and 10'10” broad (98th%). Toss in a ridiculous 23 bench reps (95th%) and you’ve got a 9.68 RAS that shows off exactly the kind of athleticism he brings to the table. The fact he didn’t do agility tests is not surprising, as his change-of-direction ability and 18% missed tackle rate is worrisome. However his special teams acumen and ability to cover backs and tight ends at an advanced level from the box are NFL worthy.
Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
Perhaps no player improved their NFL Draft profile in the postseason evaluation process than Mapu (6'3/221). A six-year player and Sacramento State program legend, Mapu was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team FCS All-American. He was invited to the NFLPA Bowl and proceeded to blow away his peers, intercepting multiple passes and providing all-encompassing sticky coverage all week in practice sessions. The Senior Bowl noticed and gave him a secondary-invitation which earned him significant exposure since players don’t end up at the Senior Bowl by accident, though he suffered a chest injury that knocked him out of Combine testing. Mapu held his own as the Senior Bowl though displaying the perfect, Tetris-esque fits he deployed during his days as a linebacker. He has an advanced feel for space in zone and the kind of banger demeanor the NFL looks for in a modern enforcer. Mapu will be an instant special teams contributor with backup box-safety value and the ability to play off ball linebacker in a pinch.
Jason Taylor II Oklahoma State
A local product of Oklahoma City, Taylor (5'11/204) accepted his only Power Five offer to Oklahoma State and worked his way up the depth chart to become a starter in 2021 for a top-notch OSU defense that allowed just 18.1 PPG and 210 passing yards per game. His best season was 2022 though, posting 99 tackles, 13 PBU and a B12 leading six interceptions en route to being named First Team All-Big 12. An explosive athlete, Taylor ran a 4.50s 40 (90th%) and a blazing 1.48s 10-yard split (99th%) to go with a 43” vert, which was the second highest vertical jump at the combine (99.9th%), and an 8.91 RAS. A ball-hawking closer who played more free safety last year than ever before, Taylor has a well-developed sense of his responsibilities and is disciplined when he triggers, never committing a single penalty in his collegiate career. Since he has a playmaker’s mentality, he can get his hand caught in the cookie jar by talented quarterbacks who know how to manipulate deep safeties with their eyes. Taylor only allowed a 55% completion rate last year and has the long-speed to stave off deep-middle shots. Taylor has a profile that is reminiscent of Penn State S Jordan Lucas.
Daniel Scott, Cal
Scott (6'1/208) was a late commit to Cal back in 2017, making him one of the older prospects in the 2023 safety group. He became a starter in the shortened 2020 season, playing primarily free safety while accruing 167 tackles, 12 PBU and six interceptions over his final two seasons in Berkeley. A team captain, Scott led Cal in interceptions in each of the past two seasons while earning Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 accolades. A legitimate physical specimen, Scott ran a 4.45s 40 (92nd%), 6.75s 3-Cone and pushed out 22 bench reps (96th%) for a sensational 9.94 RAS. Scott is a fluid mover who can cover ground and make plays on the ball, but he can be undisciplined with his pursuit angles which contributed to a subpar 18.3% career missed tackle rate. A special teams maven, Scott has 11 career tackles on ST which is a big boost to his chances of making an NFL roster. If he can harness his sky-high athletic traits, Scott could have an impact similar to Jevon Holland.
Kaevon Merriweather, Iowa
Merriweather (6'0/205) was a star high school basketball player who earned a hoops scholarship offer from Western Michigan, but chose to attend Iowa when it became apparent that football is a more realistic path to the professional sporting realm. A versatile chess piece who has the chops to play free safety, box or in the slot, Merriweather became a full-time starter in 2020 for the Hawkeyes’ ferocious defense that allowed just 14.0 PPG, but really emerged last year when he held opponents to a 42% catch rate, 7.9 yards per reception and a sparkling 11.7 NFL passer rating when targeted, for an 88.1 PFF overall grade. He ran a 99.9th percentile 1.49s 10-yard split, but ran only a 4.62s 40-yard dash (60%) for a very respectable 7.87 RAS. A cerebral player, Merriweather recorded just one penalty in his entire career and has the athleticism to crash down on short passes with a vengeance. While Merriweather doesn’t have the demonstrable ball production of his 2023 safety group contemporaries, he shows enough versatility and potential to warrant a long look in training camp.
Chamarri Conner, Virginia Tech
Conner (6'0/202) was a four-star prospect who chose to attend VT over several high-profile offers. For his first four seasons in Blacksburg, Conner primarily played in the slot and actually led VT with 5.5 sacks to go with 10.0 TFL and nine PBU in 2019. He went on to lead the Hokies in tackles in 2020 while being named Honorable Mention All-ACC twice and starting 48 straight games. His role changed in 2022 however, as new HC Brent Pry wanted to take advantage of Conner’s athleticism by lining him up at free safety for 253 snaps. The shift in alignment was an adjustment for him, as his production slipped since he was no longer being used at the line and had to adjust to a new position. The team captain has an above average feel for zone coverage and doesn’t back down from high-impact confrontations. Conner boasts verified athleticism, running a 4.51s 40-yard dash (81st%) with a 40.5” vertical (96th%) and 10'05” broad jump (84th%) along with 20 bench reps (89th%) for a rock solid 9.16 RAS. A durable finisher with above-average athleticism, Conner is a special teams star who can cover the slot or muscle up in the box.
Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State
A two-sport star in high school, Hickman (6'0/203) achieved All-American status in both football and lacrosse, which he almost chose to play over football until Ohio State came to him with a scholarship offer. He tore an ACL as a senior in high school which caused him to redshirt as a freshman, but Hickman earned a starting role in 2021 and excelled by leading OSU with 100 tackles and receiving Second Team All-Big Ten recognition. However in 2022 it all came together for him under new DC Jim Knowles, leading the team with seven PBU while allowing a 39.2 NFL passer rating when targeted in addition to an outstanding 88.9 PFF coverage grade. A relentless run defender, Hickman played a hybrid linebacker role until this year to take advantage of his freakish 33” arms and ability to trigger downhill. He can have trouble with tight ends and will allow completions in front of him in order to keep receivers from beating him deep. He’s still getting a feel for single-high responsibilities but shows the fluidity and quickness required to stick around on an NFL roster.
Brandon Hill, Pitt
Hill (5'10/193) was the 50th rated safety from the 2019 prep cycle according to 247Sports, starting for the last two seasons as an enforcer who spent most of his time at box safety. He broke out in 2021 by recording 81 tackles, eight PBU and two interceptions, while earning a 79.3 PFF run defense grade and Second Team All-ACC status. His 2022 was not as fruitful however, as Hill’s production waned significantly by breaking up just two passes with zero interceptions. A twitchy athlete, he recorded the fastest 40-yard dash of the 2023 safety group with a sensational 4.43s time (97th$) to go with 88th percentile agility drills for a very projectable 8.55 RAS. Hill’s speed is evident on film and he’s consistently in phase out of breaks, while his tenacity in run defense and ability to patrol from sideline-to-sideline are his best attributes. He doesn’t have the elongated arms of his contemporaries in the safety group and can take poor angles to the ball carrier at times which leads to misses. Hill will have a chance to stick around in The League with his elite burst and speed, but he needs to play more like the 2021 version if he wants to make an NFL team.
Jay Ward, LSU
Ward (5'10/193) is a twitchy athlete who doesn’t have the sought after length desired by NFL teams, but makes up for it with elite mobility. He earned a starting job in 2021, logging half of his snaps at free safety before transitioning to a more coverage-oriented role, logging 408-of-633 snaps from the slot or covering wideouts from the boundary. He has functional athleticism to mirror wideouts out of breaks, but he is much more instinctive in zone schemes. He’s a decent athlete that broad jumped 11" (98th%) and ran a 1.54s 10-yard split (89th%), but his agility drills were poor which inhibited his 6.70 RAS. Perhaps his biggest issue is poor tackling, as Ward’s 22% career missed tackle rate is an objectively terrible mark and will cost him dearly at the next level if he doesn’t tighten up his technique. He will also have to clean up the miscues, as he was called for seven penalties last year which is simply too many for a safety. Ward may be more of a rotational nickel corner given his limitations.
