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NFL Draft 2026 Safety Rankings

The 2025 college football season has delivered a perfect storm of elite defensive playmakers, and none have stood out more than this year’s crop of safeties. As offensive innovation continues to stretch defenses thin, these hybrid enforcers have proven indispensable in countering explosive passing attacks and mobile quarterbacks. From sideline-to-sideline range to physicality in the box, the modern safety must do it all. At the top of that list is the talented Ohio State Buckeyes All-American Caleb Downs.

Downs, as expectations have the talented safety leaving for the NFL as one of the top picks during the 2026 NFL Draft, is as complete of a safety as we have seen of recent play on the field. Joining Downs on the list includes Louis Moore of the Indiana Hoosiers, Ahmaad Moses of the SMU Mustangs, Bishop Fitzgerald of the USC Trojans, and Wydett Williams Jr of the Ole Miss Rebels. What sets this season apart is the sheer variety of impact styles on display.

Some of these safeties thrive as cerebral coverage specialists, diagnosing plays before the snap and baiting quarterbacks into costly errors. Others are downhill punishers, filling gaps like linebackers and erasing rushing lanes before they even open. Then there are the true hybrids, versatile chess pieces who can play single-high, man-cover tight ends, or blitz off the edge depending on the matchup. This diversity has made for one of the most competitive positional races in years.

Here is a look at the Top 10 Best Safeties in College Football 2025 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Jalen Huskey

School: Maryland Terps

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

One talented safety who has gone under the radar for most of the 2025 College Football season is the Maryland Terps safety Jalen Huskey.

Huskey who falls just short of the Top 10 Best Safeties in College Football 2025 rankings list is a solid all around safety who can do it all. Despite playing on a Terps team that struggled, Huskey was one of the biggest bright spots all season while being the team’s defensive spark plug. The senior safety’s blend of coverage instincts and open-field tackling made him one of the Big Ten’s most underrated defenders.

Over the course of his final season, Huskey posted 72 tackles to go along with two passes defended, and a career high four interceptions. His range over the top often erased vertical threats, and his physicality gave Maryland a reliable last line of defense against high-octane offenses. Huskey’s consistent presence and NFL-ready frame make him a strong 2026 draft riser. Few safeties have shown more steady week-to-week improvement than the Terps’ anchor on the back end.

Jamel Johnson

School: TCU Horned Frogs

NFL Draft Status: Undecided

Another talented safety that landed just outside the list of the best safeties in college is the talented second year starter Jamel Johnson of the TCU Horned Frogs.

After a strong sophomore season turning into a starter, Johnson improved his all around play while emerging as one of the top safeties this season. The Horned Frogs leaned heavily on Johnson’s ability to clean up in space, and he responded with a career high 89 tackles along with three passes defensed and a career high four interceptions. What separated Johnson among other top safeties is his explosiveness, he closes on the ball with impressive acceleration, often turning sure completions into pass breakups.

His leadership and sideline communication elevated a young secondary prone to coverage busts. If Johnson returns for his senior season, the talented playmaker will enter the season as one of the top overall safeties in college football.

Top 10 Safeties in College Football 2025 Rankings

10. A.J. Haulcy

School: LSU Tigers

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Rounding out the back end of the Top 10 Best Safeties in College Football 2025 rankings list is the talented safety A.J. Haulcy.

Stepping in after transferring to the LSU Tigers for his final season, Haulcy shined as a full time starter while building a strong NFL resume. Despite the struggles the Tigers had during the season, Haulcy was one of the bright spots on the defensive side of the ball while delivering consistent play each game. Over the course of the season, the talented safety posted his third season with at least 80 tackles (89) along with three interceptions, one forced fumble, and four passes defensed.

His physical playing style and downhill speed make him one of the SEC’s fiercest tacklers. posting 81 total tackles and four takeaways through Week 15. Haulcy’s leadership and emotional tone set the defense’s edge, and his NFL stock continues to rise as scouts recognize his growing versatility and command in LSU’s backfield.

9. Dillon Thieneman

School: Oregon Ducks

NFL Draft Status: Undecided

The Oregon Ducks defense thrived on balance and intelligence, and nobody personified that better than junior safety Dillon Thieneman.

After transferring from Purdue, Thieneman adapted seamlessly to the Ducks’ aggressive system, recording 64 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes defended to go along with one sack. His recognition skills in zone coverage consistently baited Pac-12 quarterbacks into mistakes. Thieneman isn’t the flashiest athlete, but his instincts, angles, and efficient tackling make him indispensable.

Coaches rave about his film study habits and vocal leadership in a defense stacked with NFL-caliber talent. Oregon’s playoff push heavily relied on his steadiness at the back end,  the quiet constant amid the Ducks’ high-octane chaos all season long.

8. Jakobe Thomas

School: Miami Hurricanes

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Few players embody resiliency like the Miami Hurricanes safety Jakobe Thomas.

A transfer who revitalized Miami’s secondary, Thomas quickly became the Hurricanes’ defensive heartbeat. His ability to diagnose route combinations and anticipate quarterback reads allowed him to snag four interceptions ranking second most among ACC safeties. Beyond coverage skills, he’s a fearless enforcer who posted 48 tackles, many in open-field situations that prevented big gains.

To go along with the interception, Thomas was as versatile as any other safety posting three sacks, forcing one fumble, and breaking up four passes over the course of the season. While Thomas lacks elite top-end speed, his football intelligence, tackling reliability, and leadership keep him among the nation’s most respected defensive backs.

7. Bray Hubbard

School: Alabama Crimson Tide

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

As a second year starter, Bray Hubbards evolution from special teams standout to Alabama’s defensive anchor has been one of the SEC’s most compelling storylines.

Through the SEC Championship game, Hubbard posted 61 tackles, four interceptions, eight passes defensed, one sack, and three forced fumbles, consistently showing up in the Crimson Tide’s biggest games. He’s the rare safety who thrives equally in coverage and run support, a disciplined technician with elite pursuit angles.

Hubbard’s recognition of the run and RPO along with his high football IQ in passing situations make him an all around defender at the safety position.  NFL scouts have taken notice of his polished fundamentals and steady play demeanor.

6. Tae Johnson

School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

NFL Draft Status: Returning

Tae Johnson entered the year as one of Notre Dame’s most hyped defensive prospects, and he’s delivered.

After redshirting last season, Johnsons six foot two inch frame and long strides allow him to erase passing lanes and contest vertical threats with ease. Johnson’s 48 tackles and four interceptions highlight his ability to change momentum, but what sets him apart is his range, few safeties cover more ground sideline to sideline.

His timing on blitz packages and willingness to fill run gaps make him a complete player. Notre Dame’s secondary has flourished under his leadership, and Johnson’s combination of size, instincts, and ball skills makes him a future first-round candidate.

After delivering a strong first full season, expectations are high for his sophomore season as he will enter the season ranked among the top safeties returning to college in 2026.

5. Wydett Williams Jr

School: Ole Miss Rebels

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Knocking out the Top 5 safeties on the Top 10 Safeties in College Football 2025 rankings list is the Ole Miss Rebels safety Wydett Williams Jr.

After posting a huge season with the UL Monore Warhawks last season, Williams Jr elected to make the jump to the SEC. A move that has paid off both for the Rebels who have been selected to the College Football Playoffs as well as for Williams. The senior safety’s knack for disrupting plays, whether blitzing off the edge or jumping routes has made him one of the SEC’s most dynamic defenders.

Entering the playoffs, Williams has posted 55 tackles to go along with three interceptions and a career high eight passes defensed. As Lane Kiffin’s defense leaned more on its pass rush, Williams became the versatile safety net that kept explosive plays to a minimum. His fearless brand of football has made him a household name in the SEC.

4. Bishop Fitzgerald

School: USC Trojans

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Another talented name among the safety group that is expected to hear his name called early during the 2025 NFL Draft is the USC Trojans senior Bishop Fitzgerald.

Like a handful of the other safeties among the list, Fitzgerald made the transfer to a new program this year after spending his first two seasons with the NC State Wolfpack. Fitzgerald’s arrival at USC marked an immediate shift in the Trojans’ defensive tone. A hybrid safety-linebacker type, Fitzgerald has used his speed, athleticism, and instincts to dominate at every level of the field. With 51 tackles, five interceptions, and three pass breakups, he’s been the glue holding USC’s aggressive scheme together.

His football IQ shines brightest in third-down situations, where his pre-snap reads often dictate the defense’s success. Though USC’s defensive numbers have been inconsistent, Fitzgerald’s all-around excellence remains undeniable. a true leader among this year’s safety elites.

3. Ahmaad Moses

School: SMU Mustangs

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Ahmaad Moses is the prime example of how elite instincts can elevate a Group of Five program to national relevance.

The SMU Mustangs secondary transformed under his command, ranking among the top teams in the nation in passing defense efficiency. Moses, who closed out his senior year all with the Mustangs, continued his dominance posting career highs in tackles with 91 and interceptions with five.

He thrives in press situations and brings a cornerback’s swagger to the secondary. His most impressive attribute, though, is anticipation, reading plays two moves ahead and constantly putting himself in a position to create turnovers. Some NFL scouts call Moses “the best player outside the Power Five,” and his production makes a convincing argument for that claim.

2. Louis Moore

School: Indiana Hoosiers

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

When it comes to prime time game changing safeties in College Football it is hard to look past Louis Moore of the Indiana Hoosiers.

Moore has been the heartbeat of Indiana’s defense, turning in an All-American-caliber season with 76 tackles, six interceptions, and one pass deflected. His aggressive coverage and exceptional open-field tackling kept the Hoosiers competitive against superior opponents all year. Moore is the quintessential modern safety, equally comfortable patrolling the deep middle or matching up against tight ends in man coverage.

His leadership extends beyond stats; his communication and film discipline have set the tone for a young defense. Moore’s draft stock has skyrocketed thanks to his consistency and high-impact performances in clutch moments including posting a crucial interception in the team’s first Big Ten Championship win. He’s the emotional and strategic core of Indiana’s defensive identity. 

1. Caleb Downs

School: Ohio State Buckeyes

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

The junior safety who is expected to be the first safety taken during the 2026 NFL Draft if he elects to enter slides in at number one among the Top 10 Best Safeties in College Football rankings list.

Caleb Downs entered 2025 with massive expectations, and somehow surpassed them while being a key force within the Ohio State Buckeyes secondary. Turning in 60 tackles to go along with one pass defensed, one sack, and two interceptions, Downs metrics were limited due to opposing quarterbacks avoiding his direction on each passing attempt.

His ability to anticipate plays, control coverage alignments, and neutralize both slot receivers and tight ends make him the backbone of Matt Patricia’s defense. What truly elevates Downs above the rest is his command, he plays like a defensive coordinator on the field, orchestrating adjustments and communicating instantly in real time.

With Ohio State’s playoff aspirations hinging on defensive rigidness, Downs remains their most indispensable star. His instincts, range, and consistency define what it means to be the nation’s best safety.

Who do you have as the top Safety in College Football in 2025? Let us know.

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