John Canady

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/malaki-starks/22688">Malaki Starks</a> comes in at No. 1 as he's considered not just a top safety in this draft class but one of the top players overall. The Georgia product has put together three strong seasons with the Bulldogs, proving his ability against some of the SEC's best players. In his junior season with Georgia, the defender put together some of the best film of any safety, setting the bar high for any other secondary playmaker to overcome.

1) Malaki Starks, Georgia

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/nick-emmanwori/33452">Nick Emmanwori</a> is arguably the only other safety in this draft class that can give Starks a run for his money. The versatile defender showed out in his three years at South Carolina, with his best season coming this past year as one of the Gamecocks' dominant defense leaders. Emmanwori ended the season with 88 total tackles, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and two pass defenses. The six-foot-three safety has the length, size, and speed to be an elite secondary player at the next level and has the potential to be the best out of the whole safety class.

2) Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/xavier-watts/46144">Xavier Watts</a> spent four seasons at Notre Dame, continuously improving each year. The defender was a vital piece in Marcus Freeman's defense, ultimately one of the biggest reasons for the team's run to the National Championship. Watts is an underrated tackler, and his ball-tracking skills have proven to be one of his biggest strengths, with six interceptions and nine pass defenses. The Notre Dame product could be one of the steals in this draft class, especially if he lands in the right situation.

3) Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/andrew-mukuba/41119">Andrew Mukuba</a> began his college journey at Clemson, spending three seasons with the Tigers. For his senior year, the safety opted to spend his final collegiate season with the Texas Longhorns. In the SEC against steep competition, Mukuba proved that he could be a reliable playmaker at the next level. Mukuba delivered, putting together a career year with the Longhorns, which included six pass defenses and five interceptions. Like Watts, the Texas product has the skillset to develop into a key secondary player at the next level, proving to be a steal in the draft.

4) Andrew Mukuba, Texas

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/billy-bowman/21192">Billy Bowman Jr.</a> won't get the same recognition as the rest of the top safeties on this list due to the struggling season Oklahoma put together last year. However, the safety put together four solid seasons with the Sooners, proving he can be a more than reliable player in any secondary. Bowman Jr. is versatile, and his college experience could pay dividends to him adjusting to the next level.
Tackle the Odds with SportsGrid’s Expert <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/picks">NFL Game Picks</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/player-props">NFL Player Prop Picks</a>.

5) Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/kevin-winston/49451">Kevin Winston Jr.</a> had a big season last year for the Nittany Lions, where he racked up 60 total tackles, five pass defenses, and an interception. Entering 2024, the safety had high expectations, but his season ended following a partially torn ACL. However, Winston Jr. decided to forego his senior season with Penn State and enter the draft, where his draft stock will likely take a hit due to his recovery from injury. Despite that, there's no denying that the defender can play at a high level.
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6) Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

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The Ohio State Buckeyes arguably had the most stacked defense in the nation this past year, and one player who was overlooked throughout the team's success is <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/lathan-ransom/38144">Lathan Ransom</a>. As a key part of the team's secondary, Ramsom put together a career year in his final season with the Buckeyes, totaling 75 tackles, three forced fumbles, two pass defenses, an interception, and a sack. It won't be a shock if the Ohio State standout may be higher on some NFL teams' boards than many realize.

7) Lathan Ransom, Ohio State

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The Virginia Cavaliers haven't received much recognition over the last couple of years, and as a result, the team's top players haven't received the attention they deserve. One player in particular who hasn't been talked about enough is <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/jonas-sanker/34956">Jonas Sanker</a>. The safety has had back-to-back solid seasons, and he continues to be a name to monitor as the draft approaches.

8) Jonas Sanker, Virginia

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Another talented safety from Penn State in this draft class is <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/jaylen-reed/49478">Jaylen Reed</a>. The Nittany Lions' standout put together a career year this past season, racking up 98 total tackles, three interceptions, three pass defenses, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. It won't be a shock if Reed finds his draft value increased more and more over the coming month.

9) Jaylen Reed, Penn State

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/hunter-wohler/34005">Hunter Wohler</a> spent four years at Wisconsin, where he emerged as a big-time playmaker over the last two seasons. The safety ended his senior campaign with 71 total tackles and six pass defenses before entering the NFL Draft. Although other names are seemingly getting more love, Wohler has the tools to be an underrated addition in the later rounds of the draft.
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10) Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin

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Navy hasn't always been known for putting out good football prospects, but this season, the program impressed, and their defense was one of the main reasons why. The Midshipmen have a stout defense, and their secondary, led by <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/rayuan-lane/41776">Rayuan Lane III,</a> won them multiple games. The defender racked up 70 total tackles, four pass defenses, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions during his senior year, and he has a chance to shock people at the next level.

11) Rayuan Lane III, Navy

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/isheem-young/48277">Isheem Young</a> spent two seasons at Iowa State before transferring to Ole Miss where he played his last couple of seasons of colleg football. The safety put together solid seasons for both teams. Still, after a down year with the Rebels, Young transferred to North Texas for his final year of eligibility, where he was expected to play a significant role for the Mean Green. Unfortunately, the defender missed the season due to a knee injury, which ultimately lowered his draft value. Despite that, the talent is there, and if he's fully healthy, he could be a steal in the later rounds.

12) Isheem Young, North Texas

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/trey-rucker/47822">Trey Rucker</a> is one of the super seniors in college football. The defender spent two seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Oklahoma State and suiting up for an additional four years. However, in his final two seasons with the Cowboys, Rucker quickly made a name for himself with his impressive tackling and ability to track the ball. Between his instincts and experience, he could be a very solid value pick for whichever team lands him.

13) Trey Rucker, Oklahoma State

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/jordan-clark/46117">Jordan Clark</a> used every bit of eligibility he could in college, spending five seasons at Arizona State before transferring to Notre Dame for his final year. The Louisiana native put together a solid year in Marcus Freeman's defense, totaling 36 tackles, five pass defense,s and an interception. Seeing how his game translates at the next level will be interesting.

14) Jordan Clark, Notre Dame 

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/camron-silmon-craig/39467">Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig</a> was one of the few bright spots for Colorado on defense last year (outside of <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cfb/players/travis-hunter/39438">Travis Hunter</a>), racking up 89 total tackles, three pass defenses, two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. The safety followed head coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State and quickly proved worth the addition for the Buffaloes. With high motor skills and underrated tackling, Silmon-Craig could be a rising name on draft day.

15) Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, Colorado

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As the NFL Draft looms, the top players have the chance to showcase their skill set at the combine. As draft day approaches, here's a look at the top safeties.

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