There are a number of down-the-line free safeties with a chance of rising with a solid senior season. For all of you would-be talent evaluators, look for players with instincts, anticipation, range (cover ground), the ability to play off blocks and fill inside running lanes. The ability to tackle in the open field and get into those throwing zones is essential. One other underrated trait for players at the free safety position is size. Remember, you have to be able to match up against big receivers and face up and bring down big people inside.
Jason Venson of Central Florida via Wisconsin has good instincts and was a big play man in 2007. Thomas Nelson of Illinois State and Clayton Johnson of Southern Illinois put up some impressive numbers last season and could make a major move as seniors. Keep your eye on Sam Pope of Hampton, a transfer from So Carolina and Valdosta State' Sherard Reynolds. Both have play making ability and a real chance to factor at the professional level.
| Grade |
Last |
First |
School |
2007 Stats
Solo - Assist - Total - Int - PBU |
| D |
Donaldson |
Al |
Alabama A&M |
34-14-48-8-11 |
| D |
Ness |
Nate |
Arizona U |
27-5-32-5-2 |
| D |
Hicks |
Bernard |
California U |
22-18-40-1-4 |
| D |
Venson |
Jason |
Central Florida |
69-23-92-2-7 |
| D |
Walters |
Ryan |
Colorado U |
41-12-53-2-4 |
| D |
Strader |
Aaron |
Duquesne |
23-11-34-4-7 |
| D |
Brooks |
Dominique |
East Central Oklahoma |
No 2007 stats |
| D |
Jones |
Rodney |
Elizabeth City St |
23-24-47-2-7 |
| D |
McClure |
Darius |
Florida St |
14-8-22-0-1 |
| D |
Pope |
Sam |
Hampton U |
32-9-41-5-6 |
| D |
Fontenette |
Kenneth |
Houston U |
30-39-69-4-6 |
| D |
Nelson |
Thomas |
Illinois State U |
41-45-86-2-2 |
| D |
Haywood |
Marcus |
James Madison U |
27-26-53-1-1 |
| D |
Anderson |
Colt |
Montana U |
52-24-76-4-7 |
| D |
Hyland |
David |
Morehead St |
30-3-33-8-11 |
| D |
Schommer |
Nick |
No Dakota St |
35-29-64-4-4 |
| D |
Moore |
Quinton |
Oklahoma St |
42-16-58-1-2 |
| D |
Thatcher |
Eric |
Pittsburgh U |
35-18-53-1-3 |
| D |
Boudreaux |
Corey |
San Diego St |
53-31-84-3-8 |
| D |
Johnson |
Clayton |
Southern Illinois U |
46-31-77-4-7 |
| D |
Gregg |
Devin |
Texas A&M |
32-42-74-1-3 |
| D |
Reynolds |
Sherard |
Valdosta St |
49-52-101-7-12 |
| D |
Patterson |
Kevin |
Wake Forest |
37-15-52-1-1 |
| D |
Forrester |
Mesphin |
Washington U |
58-35-93-2-2 |