College safeties to watch in 2012

Georgia safety Bacarri Rambo

After selecting LSU strong safety Brandon Taylor in the third round of this past April’s NFL draft, and what with All-Pro free safety Eric Weddle in the prime of his career, one might assume that the San Diego Chargers will not be looking for help at the safety position next offseason. Anything can happen, though, and this year’s crop of college safeties appears to be very strong, so Chargers general manager A.J. Smith and his scouts should not close the door on the idea of selecting any of the following prospects:

1.      Georgia free safety Bacarri Rambo: A 6-0, 218-pound senior, he’s a big-time hitter who also has proven to be a playmaking ball-hawk. He has 13 interceptions thus far in his career, three of which he’s returned for touchdowns.  Making first-team All-America in 2011, he had 55 tackles, eight interceptions, and eight pass-breakups.

2.      USC free safety T.J. McDonald: The son of former NFL Pro Bowl safety Tim McDonald, T.J. is a 6-3, 205-pound phenom playing the same position. He’s heading into his third year as a starter, and in 2011 he had 67 tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses, three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt.

3.      Oklahoma free safety Tony Jefferson: A 5-11, 212-pound junior, he was mighty productive as a hybrid linebacker/safety in 2011, totaling 74 tackles, 7.5 tackles for losses, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble. This fall he will switch to free safety, where he’ll be counted on to make even more plays.

4.      LSU free safety Eric Reid: At 6-2, 208 pounds he was a key player in the Tigers’ outstanding defense last season and will be relied on even more as a junior this fall. In his first season as a full-time starter, he had 76 tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles last year.

5.      Alabama free safety Robert Lester: A 6-2, 210-pound senior, he’s going into his third season as a starter in the Crimson Tide’s defense. After a stellar season in 2010, during which he had 52 tackles and an SEC-leading eight interceptions, he had a somewhat disappointing 2011 campaign, as his numbers dropped to 36 tackles and two picks.

6.      Ole Miss free safety Charles Sawyer: A 5-11, 175-pound junior, he’s seen time at cornerback, as well. In 2011 he had 70 tackles and four interceptions. Unfortunately, he’s currently injured with a torn quadriceps muscle and may miss the season-opener.

7.      Central Michigan strong safety Jahleel Addae: A 5-11, 195-pound senior, he had 107 tackles and four interceptions in 2011. He was also named the Chippewas’ Defensive Player of the Year.

8.      Mississippi State free safety Nickoe Whitley: This 6-1, 205-pound junior is entering his second year as the Bulldogs’ starting free safety. He’s coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon injury that he suffered in the ninth game of last year, against Alabama. Before that point he had 34 tackles, two tackles for losses, five passes defended, four interceptions, and a forced fumble.

9.      Louisville strong safety Hakeem Smith: This 6-1, 187-pound redshirt junior was second on the team in tackles last season, with 84. He also led the Cardinals in pass breakups, with nine, and finished the year with an interception, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

"I always tell Hakeem that he's one of the most underrated players on our defense," Cardinals head coach Charlie Strong said in Blue Ribbon's preview. "He does more than anyone out there. He doesn't seek attention. He just lines up and plays."

10.   Oregon free/strong safety John Boyett: This 5-10, 202-pound senior is about to become a four-year starter and has been the Ducks’ leading tackler in two of the last three seasons. In 2011 he amassed 108 tackles, and he has nine interceptions and 29 pass breakups thus far in his college career.

11.  Washington strong safety Sean Parker: At 5-10, 200 pounds he will be the starting strong safety once again this fall, his junior year. He led the Huskies’ defense with four interceptions last season.

12.  Arkansas strong safety Eric Bennett: This 6-0, 206-pound junior had 74 tackles and three interceptions last year. A former quarterback, he possesses an advantage from the strong safety spot most players at his position don’t.

13.  Michigan strong safety Jordan Kovacs: A 6-0, 197-pound senior, this former walk-on had 75 tackles, eight tackles for losses, four sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery last season.

"He's a leader in all aspects, from running the back end to getting guys lined up to how he prepares and how he works every day," Hoke said in the Blue Ribbon preview.

14.  North Carolina State strong safety Earl Wolff:  A 6-0, 207-pound senior, he had 105 tackles, three tackles for losses, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 2011.15.  Iowa State free safety Jacques Washington: This 6-1, 213-pound redshirt junior had 90 tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack, nine passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery last season.

15.   Michigan State strong safety Isaiah Lewis: Entering his second year as a starter, this 5-10, 205-pound junior is looking to improve on the season he had in 2011, during which he had 74 tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses, and four interceptions.

16.  Miami free safety Vaughn Telemaque: A 6-2, 202-pound redshirt senior, he’s heading into his third year as a starter. In 2011 he had 59 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. 

17.   Texas free safety Kenny Vaccaro: This 6-1, 218-pound senior is going into his third season as a starter. He was voted All-Big 12 by the coaches last year after producing 82 tackles, eight tackles for losses, two sacks, 10 passes defended, two interceptions, and seven quarterback hurries. 

18.  Kent State strong safety Luke Wollet: A 6-1, 193-pound junior, he had a very productive first season as a starter in 2011, as he finished the year with 65 tackles, four tackles for losses, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. His efforts led to him making All-MAC third team.

19.  San Diego State strong safety Nat Berhe: At 5-10, 190 pounds, he plays the “Aztec” position, which is a hybrid linebacker/safety spot, in San Diego State’s defense. A junior, he had 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses, two interceptions, and a forced fumble last season.

20.  Faulkner strong safety Ray-Ray Armstrong: This 6-4, 215-pound senior has the size to be an intimidating strong safety in the NFL. After recently being dismissed from the University of Miami for “discussing interaction with a booster on Twitter,” he hopes to tear it up with Faulkner at the NAIA level this fall. In 2011 he had 34 tackles, a half-a-tackle for loss, an interception, and a fumble recovery.

21.  South Alabama free safety B.J. Scott: This 5-11, 205-pound senior is entering his second year as a starter for the Jaguars after transferring over from Alabama following the 2010 season. In 2011 he started seven games before suffering a season-ending injury, and he finished the year with 48 tackles, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. If he can stay healthy, he should prove to be one of the top safeties in the Sun Belt Conference.

22.   Louisiana Tech strong safety Chad Boyd: At 5-11, 200 pounds, he’s entering his third season as a starter. He made second-team All-WAC last year after finishing with76 tackles, three tackles for losses, nine passes defended, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery he returned 33 yards for a touchdown.

The hope is Brandon Taylor will become a very good starting strong safety for many years to come, and many believe Eric Weddle turned the corner last year by capturing All-Pro honors. Still, if someone such as Bacarri Rambo or T.J. McDonald falls into San Diego’s lap, it will be difficult to resist the temptation of selecting a potential superstar safety.