With EA Sports officially announcing a timeline for the new college football video game, gaming enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly awaiting the chance to dive into new gameplay for the first time in over a decade. As the release date draws nearer, I’ve decided to predict the top-rated players in each position group. In this article, we will wrap up with the best safeties in the back end.
5. Hunter Wohler
Not always getting the attention he deserves, Hunter Wohler was quietly one of the best safeties in football last season. He posted an impressive 89.9 coverage grade according to PFF, which ranked second among all safeties. Wohler is a very smart player with great vision to read and dissect plays. He excels in coverage and does a really good job in run support, making him a well-rounded safety.
4. Xavier Nwankpa
Xavier Nwankpa emerged nicely for the Hawkeyes in 2023. According to PFF, he graded out as the most valuable safety based on their wins above average metric. He also earned an 88.4 coverage grade, tying for fourth in the country. Nwankpa is one of the fastest defenders in the country, enabling him to cover a lot of ground. His athleticism, combined with his NFL-style frame, allows him to be a versatile defender capable of covering receivers and tight ends.
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3. Xavier Watts
In 2023, Xavier Watts was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the best defensive player in football. He tied for first in interceptions in all of FBS with seven on the season. Watts may be the best cover safety in college football, boasting excellent play recognition and possessing the ability to cover the football field quickly. He’s also very physical and possesses great ball skills for a defender.
2. Caleb Downs
In his first year of college football, Caleb Downs proved to be one of the better players in the country. As a true freshman, he led Alabama in tackles and was awarded first-team All-SEC honors and named an All-American by many outlets. Downs is a freak of nature when it comes to football. His instincts to make plays are on another level, excelling in both the run and pass game.
1. Malaki Starks
Malaki Starks has been a standout for Georgia since he stepped on campus as a true freshman. In 2022, he was a freshman All-American, and he one-upped that in 2023 by becoming a Consensus First-Team All-American. Starks’ athleticism allows him to be extremely versatile for Georgia in the back end. He’s terrific at stopping the run game while also being a significant factor in coverage.
Honorable Mentions: Dillon Thieneman, Kevin Winston Jr., Keon Sabb
