College football’s 20 best safeties of 2026
Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain scans the field before a snap against Illinois Saturday October 11, 2025 at Memorial Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
There’s nothing like being the last line of defense when it comes to eliminating explosive plays.
Safeties often times clean up the mistakes made from the first two levels of the defense. The elite ones have great instincts, know how to read the quarterback’s eyes, and can blanket half of a field. The position requires extreme physicality, and great vision.
Versatility comes with the territory when stopping the run, and preventing deep passes. These 20 defenders displayed all of those skills last season, and now they’re looking to build on their legacies in 2026.
20. Jessiah McGrew, Arizona State: The Florida native is coming off a stellar true freshman campaign at Florida International. McGrew racked up 68 tackles, which ranked third on the Panthers. He also picked off four passes, and capped off the year with second-team, All-CUSA honors. McGrew posted six tackles at Penn State. The former three-star prospect also had six stops, including five solo, and an interception at Florida Atlantic. McGrew tallied a season-high, 10 tackles, including nine solo and an interception against Liberty. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder recorded nine tackles apiece against Middle Tennessee, and Jacksonville State. McGrew even hauled in two interceptions at Western Kentucky.
19. Jerome Carter, Clemson: The Florida native put together an amazing season at Old Dominion last year. Carter ranked third on the Monarchs in tackles. He finished fifth in the FBS in interceptions per game. Carter even earned second-team, All-Sun Belt honors. The former three star prospect posted 11 tackles at Indiana. Carter tallied five stops, and picked off a pass against North Carolina Central. The following week he had four tackles, and an interception in the win at Virginia Tech. Carter picked off two passes against USF. Not to mention he hauled in an interception against Georgia Southern, and Appalachian State. Carter posted 12 tackles apiece against James Madison, and Coastal Carolina.
18. Dwayne McDougle, Nebraska: The Californian started 22 games over the past four seasons at San Diego State, including all 13 in 2025. McDougle established himself as a ballhawk, and led the Aztecs in interceptions. He even tied for 22nd nationally in interceptions per game. McDougle tallied four solo tackles, and picked off a pass at Nevada. The former three-star prospect posted six solo tackles apiece in victories over Fresno State, and Boise State. McDougle recorded five stops, and an interception against North Texas. Not to mention he generated an interception in wins over San Diego State, and Wyoming. His experience, production and leadership will provide an instant spark for the Blackshirts.
17. Mister Clark, Purdue: The former three-star prospect established himself as an elite defender at Florida International in 2025. After all, Clark ranked fifth on the Panthers in tackles. He even finished fourth in the FBS in passes defended per game. Clark capped off the year with first-team, All-CUSA honors for his heroics in the secondary. The Florida native tallied nine tackles, including six solo and an interception against Florida Atlantic. Clark also picked off a pass against Liberty, and Western Kentucky. The six-foot, 190-pounder generated eight stops, including six solo against Delaware. Clark recorded a season-high, 10 tackles, including eight solo, and 1.5 for loss against Jacksonville State.
16. Jaylen McClain, Ohio State: The former three-star prospect had a breakout season with the Buckeyes in 2025. After all, McClain started all 13 games, and finished third on the team in solo tackles. He also ranked seventh on Ohio State in stops, and earned third-team, All-Big Ten honors. McClain got off to a hot start, with eight tackles, including five solo in the win over Texas. The New Jersey native tallied six tackles, including five solo in the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana. McClain posted five tackles in the victory over Michigan. The six-foot, 201-pounder also recorded five stops against Penn State, and Ohio. With Caleb Downs now in the NFL, McClain is taking the torch.
15. Jackson Bennee, Utah: The Utah native put together a breakout season for the Utes last year, and even garnered Honorable Mention All-Big 12. Bennee started 11 games, including three at wideout. He led the Utes in interceptions, and ranked second on the team in tackles. Bennee posted eight tackles apiece Arizona State, and BYU. The 6-foot-two, 190-pounder tallied five stops, and picked off a pass against Cal Poly. The next game he had an interception at Hawaii. The following week he recorded seven tackles, including one for loss and an interception against Texas Tech. Bennee had a season-high, 10 stops, and an interception at Kansas. On top of that, Bennee was a natural at blocking kicks.
14. Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma: The former four-star prospect had a solid campaign with the Sooners last season, and played a huge part in their run to the Playoffs. Bowen tied for first on the team in interceptions, ranked sixth in tackles and broke up several passes. He even earned second-team, All-SEC honors for his heroics in the secondary. He tallied five tackles apiece against Auburn, Alabama and Ole Miss. Bowen had a season-high, six stops in the win over Michigan. The Texas native generated two tackles, and picked off a pass in the victory at Tennessee. Bowen also hauled in an interception against LSU. The six-foot, 185-pounder’s return means Oklahoma’s secondary will be a team strength.
13. Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami: The hometown kid is coming off a promising true freshman campaign with the Hurricanes. After all, Fitzgerald only started four games, and made 16 stops, but tied for third in the FBS with six interceptions. He showed skills as a ballhawk with three interceptions through the first four games, including one in back-to-back weeks against Bethune-Cookman, and South Florida. Fitzgerald tallied three solo tackles, and picked off a pass against Florida State. The former four-star prospect made two stops, and hauled in an interception at Pittsburgh. No to mention Fitzgerald put on a remarkable performance in the Playoff win over Texas A&M, with a season-high, two interceptions.
12. Faletau Satula, BYU: The former four-star prospect had a breakout season with the Cougars last year, and started seven games. Satula led the team in stops, and ranked third in tackles for loss. He even earned third-team, All-Big 12 honors. Satula posted 11 tackles, including one for loss against Arizona. The Utah native tallied a season-high, 12 tackles, including eight solo, and forced a fumble in the victory over Utah. Satula had 10 stops, including six solo, and returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in the win at Iowa State. Not to mention he recorded five stops, and an interception against Stanford. Satula also picked off a pass against TCU, and made the quarterback eat grass at Colorado.
11. Ty Benefield, LSU: The Californian is one of the most-experienced defensive backs in the country, and started 33 games over the past three seasons with Boise State. Benefield posted 107 stops last year, and tied for ninth nationally in solo tackles per game. He even ended the year with first-team, All-Mountain West honors. Benefield generated 11 tackles, including two for loss, and an interception at Air Force. The former three-star prospect also had 11 stops against Fresno State, and San Diego State. Benefield recorded eight tackles, and forced a fumble at Notre Dame. Not to mention he had eight tackles, including seven solo and recovered a fumble against UNLV. Benefield should fit in well at DBU.
10. Ricardo Jones, Vanderbilt: The former four-star prospect made his presence felt as a Clemson Tiger last season. After all, Jones started 12 games, and hauled in a jaw-dropping six interceptions. He even tied for fifth in the FBS in interceptions per game. Not to mention Jones earned third-team, All-ACC honors. Jones posted four tackles, and recovered a fumble in the opener against LSU. The Georgia native tallied a season-high, seven tackles, including five solo and an interception in the win over Troy. Jones picked off two passes, and returned one 12 yards for a touchdown at South Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder also picked off a pass against Boston College, SMU and Florida State.
9. Ty Bryant, Kentucky: The former three-star prospect has started 15 games over the past two seasons with the Wildcats, including all 12 in 2025. Bryant put up 116 tackles during that span. Last season he led Kentucky in tackles, and interceptions. Bryant finished 30th nationally in interceptions per game, and earned second-team, All-SEC honors. The Kentucky native got off to a hot start, with two interceptions in the opener against Murray State. Bryant tallied six tackles, and an interception in the win over Florida. Not to mention he picked off a pass against Vanderbilt. His 12 stops against Louisville were a season-high. Bryant generated 10 tackles against Ole Miss. He’s as versatile as they come.
8. Jamel Johnson, TCU: He’s a tackling machine, with 169 stops over the past two seasons with the Horned Frogs, including 96 last year. Johnson finished second in the Big 12, and tied 17th nationally in interceptions per game. The Texas native even capped off the year with second-team, All-Big 12 honors. He got off to a hot start with seven tackles, including one for loss in the opening win against North Carolina. Johnson posted six solo stops, and picked off two passes against SMU. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder tallied 10 tackles, at Kansas State. Johnson also had 10 stops, and an interception at Colorado. Not to mention Johnson recorded an interception against Baylor, and another in the bowl win over USC.
7. Amare Ferrell, Indiana: The Florida native packs a ton of experience, and started 28 games over past two seasons with the Hoosiers. Ferrell made 97 tackles, and picked off eight passes over that span. He also earned second-team, All-Big Ten honors in 2025, and was a vital part of Indiana’s run to the National Championship. Ferrell tallied three tackles, andan an interception against Illinois. The next game he posted five stops, and picked off a pass at Iowa. His seven tackles in the win at Oregon were a season-high. Ferrell had four tackles, including three solo, one for loss, and an interception at Purdue. The former three-star prospect also recorded an interception against Old Dominion.
6. Robert Fitzgerald, Northwestern: The former four-star prospect has started 17 games over the past two seasons with the Wildcats, including all 13 in 2025. Fitzgerald stockpiled 161 tackles over that span. Last season he led the Big Ten, and finished fourth nationally in solo tackles per game. Fitzgerald even ranked fifth in the conference, and 25th in the FBS in tackles per game. Not to mention he ended the year with second-team, All-Big Ten honors. Fitzgerald posted 13 tackles apiece against Tulane, and Purdue. The Dallas native had a season-high, 15 tackles, including 10 solo, and picked off a pass against Michigan. Fitzgerald generated 11 tackles, including one for loss at Illinois.
5. Tae Johnson, Notre Dame: The Indiana native started eight games last year, and had a breakout season with the Fighting Irish. Johnson established himself as a legitimate ballhawk, and tied for fourth on the team in tackles. He tallied six solo stops against Texas A&M. Johnson generated seven tackles, including four solo against NC State. His eight stops, including five solo against USC were season-highs. Johnson picked off two passes in the victory at Boston College. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder had five tackles, and returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown in the win at Pittsburgh. Johnson also hauled in an interception against Boise State. He’s part of the nation’s best secondary for 2026.
4. KP Price, Boston College: The former three-star prospect has started every game for the Eagles over the past two seasons. Price racked up 179 tackles, and four interceptions over that span. He was a team captain last year, and tied for second in the FBS in solo tackles per game. Price even earned Honorable Mention All-ACC for his heroics. The Baltimore native posted 10 tackles apiece against Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech and Syracuse. Price posted a season-high, 14 tackles, including 10 solo, one for loss and picked off a pass against Clemson. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder also hauled in an interception at Louisville. Not to mention Price tallied nine stops, including one for loss at Stanford.
3. Earl Little, Ohio State: The former four-star prospect is coming off a breakout campaign with Florida State. After all, Little started the first 11 games, was a team captain and Defensive MVP. He even led the Seminoles in tackles, interceptions and earned second-team, All-ACC honors. Little got off to a hot start with nine tackles, including one for loss in the opening win over Alabama. The Florida native had a season-high, 13 stops at Virginia. The six-foot, 198-pounder generated five tackles, an interception and forced a fumble against Pittsburgh. Little also picked off a pass against Stanford, Wake Forest, and East Texas A&M. Not to mention Little posted seven tackles apiece against Miami, and Florida.
2. KJ Bolden, Georgia: The former five-star prospect has started 16 games over the past two seasons with the Bulldogs, including all 14 in 2025. Bolden stockpiled 135 tackles over that span. He even finished second on the SEC Champs in stops, and interceptions last year. Not to mention Bolden capped off his stellar campaign with second-team, All-SEC honors. Bolden tallied six tackles, and picked off a pass in the win over Tennessee. The Georgia native also hauled in an interception in the victory over Texas. Bolden generated 10 tackles, including one for loss and forced a fumble at Mississippi State. The six-foot, 195-pounder even recorded 10 stops against Ole Miss in the Playoff Semifinals.
1. Bray Hubbard, Alabama: The Mississippi native is coming off two productive seasons with the Crimson Tide. After all, Hubbard started 21 games over that span, and racked up 136 tackles and seven interceptions. Last year he earned first-team, All-SEC, and third-team, AP All-American honors. Hubbard led Alabama in interceptions, and ranked third on the team in tackles. He posted five stops, and picked off two passes in the victory over Wisconsin. The former three-star prospect had a season-high, nine tackles, including five solo and forced a fumble at Georgia. Hubbard hauled in an interception, and forced a fumble at Auburn. Not to mention he recorded another interception at Missouri.
Honorable Mention
Jace Bellah, Colorado State: The Colorado native ranked 1th in the FBS in interceptions per game last season. Bellah finished third on the Rams in tackles. He picked off two passes against Fresno State. Bellah’s 17 stops against Boise State were a season-high.
Brevin Hamblin, Utah State: The former three-star prospect started 12 games for the Aggies last season, and tallied 114 stops. Hamblin ranked 29th nationally in tackles per game. He returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown against Nevada.
