When i joined CF in October of 2009 it was due to noticing the influx of White WRs making big impacts across College Football (Cooper ; Decker; Shipley); that prompted the 2010 NFL Draft to have the most WRs Drafted in the entire 2000's. Nothings really come close ever since!
CF's (Truthteller? Freethinker?) posted the number of DBs Drafted in the NFL since 2000. It has never been more than 4; last season went 3 (Theineman first 1st Rounder picked since Harrison Smith ; ex Walk-on Michael Taaffe & Cole Wisneiwski)
....I'm getting that same 2009 WR Vibe; but this time it's with the DBs in 2026!! Time to bust the glass ceiling of FOUR! Even if "Junior" Jackson Bennee returns for his Senior season. John Curry will likely be a LB in the NFL ; but listed him here anyway
According to new EA Sports ......7 of the Top 27 Strong Safties are White
Bray HUBBARD (Sr) 6'-2" 217 Alabama
Started all 15 games at Safety ... earned 2nd team All-America; All-SEC First Team by the AP and league coaches ... tied for the SEC lead and 23rd nationally 4 INTs for a combined 42 return yards ... ranked 3rd on the Tide defense with 79 tackles, including 4.5 for loss (-23 yards) and two sacks (-20 yards) ... also recorded a team-high tying 6 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles; 7 career INTs
Highest Rated Strong Safety (94) according to EA Sports
Mock NFL Draft going 2nd Round/ 54 overall
Zach LUTMER (Sr.) 6'-0 205 Iowa
2025 Honors -- Second-team All-Big Ten (coaches)
Plays "CASH" position ; EA Sports Top 100; https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-college-football/ratings/player-ratings/zach-lutmer/376
Have seen Mock Drafts go as early as mid 1st Round to 3rd Round
(44 solo, 27 assists), including 5.5 tackles for a loss of 16 yards, 1 QB sack , 3 INTs for 72 yards & TD, 7 pass break-ups, 1 recovered fumble
https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-college-football/ratings/player-ratings/zach-lutmer/376
EA Sports behind Similar players (88) Hubbard & Perich
Strong Safety Koi PERICH (Jr.) 6'-1" 200 Oregon ( Minnesota transfer)
Athlons Pre season 1st Team All Big 10
In 2 seasons 6 INTs for 90 yards & TD ; 5.5 TFLs; 5 Pass deflections; 2 Forced Fumbles ; and a Sack
Honey Badger-like instincts ; can also play WR ( 7- 89) & Return kicks...could be Best Safety in the Nation
Dan Lanning did it again after swiping another high-end Big Ten transfer Safety to fill a void in the secondary. After previously starring at Minnesota, Perich's instincts and range should allow Oregon to stay multiple without sacrificing communication or structure. He also brings a physical edge in run support, much like last cycle's future first-round addition, Dillon Thieneman.
AI....Koi Perich is widely considered an elite, versatile college football defensive back. A former standout at Minnesota, he transferred to Oregon as the top-ranked safety and a consensus 4-star recruit. Known for his incredible athleticism, he is a major playmaker on defense and special teams
Mock Draft 4th Round
Strong Safety Alex McLAUGHLIN (Sr.) 6'-2" 204 Washington
2025 All-Big Ten honorable-mention...likes scoring TDs ; 59-yard fumble return TD vs UCLA 2 INTs @ Wazzu returning one27 yards ;the other for 47 yard TD
sensational first season for the Huskies ! Also had 94 Tackles!
Began career @ FCS Northern Arizona ....
Mock Draft has him going Day 3 (6th round)
https://www.si.com/college/washingt...nts-to-be-even-bigger-and-better-01kn8vp6zbns
Corner Back John NESTOR (Sr.) 6'-1" 205 Minnesota
6 INTs for 113 yards & TD
From PFF ..4th Best Ballhawk in Nation
Nestor is not generating significant NFL Draft conversation at this stage. Playing on the outside for a Minnesota defense which allowed the second-highest completion percentage in the Big Ten last season didn’t do his overall reputation any favors.
However, he finished 2025 with 6 INTs , including three across his final two games, to bring himself alongside Fitzgerald for the top turnover-forcers in returning secondaries. That late-season run gives him a brilliant platform heading into 2026.
Nestor will need to clean up on his ability in man coverage, where he didn’t even rank inside the top 50 among Big Ten cornerbacks last season, but the playmaking ability is certainly present.
www.pff.com
Cornerback/ Free Safety Jackson BENNEE (Jr.) 6'-2" 190 Utah
4th Ranked DB for the 2027 NFL Draft according to On3
To be fair, Bennee is listed as a Safety on Utah’s roster, but he is a versatile DB who could play Cornerback, per PFF. Last season, Bennee was all over the place. In 13 games for the Utes last year 64 Tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 4 INTs , 5 pass deflections & PICK SIX. Look for him to be feared as he faces opposing Big 12 offenses in 2026.
Strong Safety Preston ZACHMAN ( Sr.) 6'-2" 209 Indiana ...(Wisconsin transfer)
2025 Played in 3 games, all starts at Safety … finished the year with 12 tackles & 2 INTs ; made 5 tackles at Alabama (Sept. 13) … missed the remainder of the season with an INJURY suffered at Alabama
2024 Season: Started all 12 games at Safety for the Badgers … made a career-high 58 tackles (39 solos), 2 INTs , 3 TFLs ; 4 PBU's
Has the NFL measurables; 7 career INTs
Strong Safety Ethan MINTER (Jr.) 6- 0 195 Virginia
2025 47 Tackles ; 4 TFLs; 3 PBUs ; 1 INT clutch at UVAs 3 yard line in 4th Qtr vs Louisville
2024 – UVA’s only Freshman to appear in all 12 games
Now "86" on EA Sports
John CURRY (Sr.) 6'-2" 230 Texas Tech
Red Raider STAR position "Hyrbrid Safety/Linebacker
Honorable Mention All Big 12
Led Big 12 Championship with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in the win over BYU
Had a 10 yard TD on Fumble recovery vs K-State
Free Safety Caleb NIX (Sr.) 6'0 202 Jacksonville State
2025 ...63 Tackles ; 4 INTs & TD ; 3 Pass Deflections...not sure how he scored 2nd TD?
Began career as a Walk-on @ Clemson
NFL QB Bo Nix little brother
Cornerback Chance GAMBLE (Sr.) 6'-2" 180 Georgia Southern
2026 1st Team Preseason ALL Sun Belt Conf. Corberback
2025 Played/Started 4 games … 16 tackles ; 1 INT ; Received a medical hardship waiver after having shoulder surgery
2024 - All-Sun Belt Conference 2nd Team; 3 INTs ; 10 Pass Deflections!! 1 FF ; 1 Fuble Recovery
Hopefully stays healthy!
Strong Safety Brevin HAMBLIN (Sr.) 6'-5" 205 Utah State
Athlon's Pre season 1st Team All Big 12
Career...has 253 tackles (128 solo), including 2.5 Sacks and 7.5 TFLs , 11 PBUs , 2 INTs , 4 FFs , 1 FR … has 10 career double-digit tackle outings
Began career at FCS Utah Tech
Free Safety Jake POPE (Sr) 6'-1" 200 UNLV
2026: Named 2026 Preseason All-Mountain West First Team by Phil Steele.
2025: Started in all 14 games as a Junior ... Finished the season with 81 total tackles (38 solo and 43 assisted) ... Recorded 3 TFLs, 1.5 sacks ..1 INT vs. Hawaii ... Tallied 5 PBUs... Ranked 2nd on the team in total tackles ... Tied for 3rd on the team in pass breakups.
Began career @ Alabama then Georgia
That's the Baker's Dozen 13 for now...
Had 28 on the list....some of the remaining 15 definetly worthy of a pic too
CF's (Truthteller? Freethinker?) posted the number of DBs Drafted in the NFL since 2000. It has never been more than 4; last season went 3 (Theineman first 1st Rounder picked since Harrison Smith ; ex Walk-on Michael Taaffe & Cole Wisneiwski)
....I'm getting that same 2009 WR Vibe; but this time it's with the DBs in 2026!! Time to bust the glass ceiling of FOUR! Even if "Junior" Jackson Bennee returns for his Senior season. John Curry will likely be a LB in the NFL ; but listed him here anyway
According to new EA Sports ......7 of the Top 27 Strong Safties are White
Bray HUBBARD (Sr) 6'-2" 217 Alabama
Started all 15 games at Safety ... earned 2nd team All-America; All-SEC First Team by the AP and league coaches ... tied for the SEC lead and 23rd nationally 4 INTs for a combined 42 return yards ... ranked 3rd on the Tide defense with 79 tackles, including 4.5 for loss (-23 yards) and two sacks (-20 yards) ... also recorded a team-high tying 6 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles; 7 career INTs
Highest Rated Strong Safety (94) according to EA Sports
Mock NFL Draft going 2nd Round/ 54 overall
Zach LUTMER (Sr.) 6'-0 205 Iowa
2025 Honors -- Second-team All-Big Ten (coaches)
Plays "CASH" position ; EA Sports Top 100; https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-college-football/ratings/player-ratings/zach-lutmer/376
Have seen Mock Drafts go as early as mid 1st Round to 3rd Round
(44 solo, 27 assists), including 5.5 tackles for a loss of 16 yards, 1 QB sack , 3 INTs for 72 yards & TD, 7 pass break-ups, 1 recovered fumble
https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-college-football/ratings/player-ratings/zach-lutmer/376
EA Sports behind Similar players (88) Hubbard & Perich
Strong Safety Koi PERICH (Jr.) 6'-1" 200 Oregon ( Minnesota transfer)
Athlons Pre season 1st Team All Big 10
In 2 seasons 6 INTs for 90 yards & TD ; 5.5 TFLs; 5 Pass deflections; 2 Forced Fumbles ; and a Sack
Honey Badger-like instincts ; can also play WR ( 7- 89) & Return kicks...could be Best Safety in the Nation
Dan Lanning did it again after swiping another high-end Big Ten transfer Safety to fill a void in the secondary. After previously starring at Minnesota, Perich's instincts and range should allow Oregon to stay multiple without sacrificing communication or structure. He also brings a physical edge in run support, much like last cycle's future first-round addition, Dillon Thieneman.
AI....Koi Perich is widely considered an elite, versatile college football defensive back. A former standout at Minnesota, he transferred to Oregon as the top-ranked safety and a consensus 4-star recruit. Known for his incredible athleticism, he is a major playmaker on defense and special teams
Mock Draft 4th Round
Strong Safety Alex McLAUGHLIN (Sr.) 6'-2" 204 Washington
2025 All-Big Ten honorable-mention...likes scoring TDs ; 59-yard fumble return TD vs UCLA 2 INTs @ Wazzu returning one27 yards ;the other for 47 yard TD
sensational first season for the Huskies ! Also had 94 Tackles!
Began career @ FCS Northern Arizona ....
Mock Draft has him going Day 3 (6th round)
https://www.si.com/college/washingt...nts-to-be-even-bigger-and-better-01kn8vp6zbns
Corner Back John NESTOR (Sr.) 6'-1" 205 Minnesota
6 INTs for 113 yards & TD
From PFF ..4th Best Ballhawk in Nation
Nestor is not generating significant NFL Draft conversation at this stage. Playing on the outside for a Minnesota defense which allowed the second-highest completion percentage in the Big Ten last season didn’t do his overall reputation any favors.
However, he finished 2025 with 6 INTs , including three across his final two games, to bring himself alongside Fitzgerald for the top turnover-forcers in returning secondaries. That late-season run gives him a brilliant platform heading into 2026.
Nestor will need to clean up on his ability in man coverage, where he didn’t even rank inside the top 50 among Big Ten cornerbacks last season, but the playmaking ability is certainly present.
College Football: The 5 best returning ball hawks in 2026
Some cornerbacks and safeties consistently find the football better than others. Some of these players possess the innate gift of reading opposing quarterbacks, while others are fantastic at anticipating route breaks and making a play at the catch point. No matter what, college football’s top...
www.pff.com
Cornerback/ Free Safety Jackson BENNEE (Jr.) 6'-2" 190 Utah
4th Ranked DB for the 2027 NFL Draft according to On3
To be fair, Bennee is listed as a Safety on Utah’s roster, but he is a versatile DB who could play Cornerback, per PFF. Last season, Bennee was all over the place. In 13 games for the Utes last year 64 Tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 4 INTs , 5 pass deflections & PICK SIX. Look for him to be feared as he faces opposing Big 12 offenses in 2026.
Strong Safety Preston ZACHMAN ( Sr.) 6'-2" 209 Indiana ...(Wisconsin transfer)
2025 Played in 3 games, all starts at Safety … finished the year with 12 tackles & 2 INTs ; made 5 tackles at Alabama (Sept. 13) … missed the remainder of the season with an INJURY suffered at Alabama
2024 Season: Started all 12 games at Safety for the Badgers … made a career-high 58 tackles (39 solos), 2 INTs , 3 TFLs ; 4 PBU's
Has the NFL measurables; 7 career INTs
Strong Safety Ethan MINTER (Jr.) 6- 0 195 Virginia
2025 47 Tackles ; 4 TFLs; 3 PBUs ; 1 INT clutch at UVAs 3 yard line in 4th Qtr vs Louisville
2024 – UVA’s only Freshman to appear in all 12 games
Now "86" on EA Sports
John CURRY (Sr.) 6'-2" 230 Texas Tech
Red Raider STAR position "Hyrbrid Safety/Linebacker
Honorable Mention All Big 12
Led Big 12 Championship with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in the win over BYU
Had a 10 yard TD on Fumble recovery vs K-State
Free Safety Caleb NIX (Sr.) 6'0 202 Jacksonville State
2025 ...63 Tackles ; 4 INTs & TD ; 3 Pass Deflections...not sure how he scored 2nd TD?
Began career as a Walk-on @ Clemson
NFL QB Bo Nix little brother
Cornerback Chance GAMBLE (Sr.) 6'-2" 180 Georgia Southern
2026 1st Team Preseason ALL Sun Belt Conf. Corberback
2025 Played/Started 4 games … 16 tackles ; 1 INT ; Received a medical hardship waiver after having shoulder surgery
2024 - All-Sun Belt Conference 2nd Team; 3 INTs ; 10 Pass Deflections!! 1 FF ; 1 Fuble Recovery
Hopefully stays healthy!
Strong Safety Brevin HAMBLIN (Sr.) 6'-5" 205 Utah State
Athlon's Pre season 1st Team All Big 12
Career...has 253 tackles (128 solo), including 2.5 Sacks and 7.5 TFLs , 11 PBUs , 2 INTs , 4 FFs , 1 FR … has 10 career double-digit tackle outings
Began career at FCS Utah Tech
Free Safety Jake POPE (Sr) 6'-1" 200 UNLV
2026: Named 2026 Preseason All-Mountain West First Team by Phil Steele.
2025: Started in all 14 games as a Junior ... Finished the season with 81 total tackles (38 solo and 43 assisted) ... Recorded 3 TFLs, 1.5 sacks ..1 INT vs. Hawaii ... Tallied 5 PBUs... Ranked 2nd on the team in total tackles ... Tied for 3rd on the team in pass breakups.
Began career @ Alabama then Georgia
That's the Baker's Dozen 13 for now...
Had 28 on the list....some of the remaining 15 definetly worthy of a pic too
