Newcomers In The CFB Saturdays College Football S Rankings: 2021 Preseason

With the 2020 season in the books we have removed the safeties who have moved on and updated the College Football S rankings. A few notes before we discuss the rankings themselves.

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football S Rankings here.

Here is a look at a few of the safeties that have debuted in the rankings after a promising 2020:

Tykee Smith – Georgia

Smith was one of the top recruits in West Virginia’s 2019 recruiting class. After two strong seasons for the Mountaineers he transferred to Georgia for the 2021 season, where he will provide experience and leadership in the defensive backfield. Smith was a key piece for a strong West Virginia defense that allowed only 20.5 points per game in 2020. For his part, Smith made 61 tackles with 8 tackles for loss, 5 pass breakups and 2 interceptions in ten games during the season.

Smith is not a particularly big safety at 5’10” and 198 lbs, but he has the athleticism and tenacity needed to star at the position. He is a well built player who gets downhill quickly and makes good tackles in space and will deliver a big hit whenever possible. Smith has the strength and quickness to beat blocks on the perimeter and make plays in the backfield. He shows strong instincts and reacts quickly to the play and is able to cover inside receivers effectively and make plays on the football. Smith has proven he is one of the top safeties in the country and will help Georgia reload after losing several starters from the secondary to the NFL.

Georgia Bulldogs Gear

Jalen Catalon – Arkansas

Catalon was a four star recruit in Arkansas’ 2019 recruiting class and red-shirted his first year on campus. He did play in four games but would have to wait until 2020 to shine. Last season, Catalon starred in the secondary for the Razorbacks. He did a bit of everything for Arkansas in Sam Pittman’s first season as head coach and became a key part of the future plan for the team. He accounted for 99 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups, 3 interceptions and 2 fumbles forced over the course of ten games.

At 5’10” 189 lbs Catalon is not a big safety, but he is a big hitter at the second level. Catalon is aggressive attacking ball carriers in front of him and will make offensive players think twice about catching a pass in front of him. He shows the same aggression in coverage attacking passing plays in front of him and making plays on the ball. With good quickness and burst he is able to get himself in good position frequently. Catalon was a star in 2020 and should continue on that trajectory in 2021.

Arkansas Razorbacks Gear

Bralen Trahan – Louisiana

Trahan was recruited as a cornerback in the 2017 class and has seen his playing time increase over the first three seasons. Though he was productive early in his career, he took his game to the next level with a big 2020 campaign. Trahan was an impact player in the defensive backfield for a good Louisiana defense. He found a way to make his mark on the game on a weekly basis, recording 48 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, 9 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, and a touchdown over 11 games.

The 6’0″ 191 lb Trahan has a good feel for where the football is and the range to get there. He has good ball skills and is able to finish the play with an interception or a pass breakup. Trahan is a sound tackler and is able to get in good position to stop the ball carrier because of his feel for the game. He is a complete safety who can do a little bit of everything at the second level. Trahan’s all around game and knack for making big plays has helped him become a star at the position.

Louisiana Ragin Cajuns

Jaquan Brisker – Penn State

Brisker came to Penn State via the JUCO route in the 2019 class and saw playing time his first year with the team. In 2020, he earned a starting spot and became a mainstay in the secondary. Brisker was a versatile player who solidified the Nittany Lions defensive backfield. He did a bit of everything from his safety spot, finishing with 57 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, 1 interception, and 2 QB Hurries over 9 games.

Brisker is an imposing player in the defensive backfield, checking in at 6’1″ 212 lbs. He has the length and size coaches are looking for at safety and also has the physicality to match. Brisker is a strong tackler and an intimidating hitter in the secondary. He excels coming down hill and closing on plays in front of him or in blitz situations, but shows solid ability in coverage downfield as well. Brisker has quickly become a key part of the Penn State secondary and will be counted on to lead the way for the Nittany Lions defense in 2021.

Penn State Nittany Lions Gear

Isheem Young – Iowa State

Young was one of the top recruits in Iowa State’s 2019 recruiting class. He red-shirted in 2019 but became a starter during the 2020 season. Young proved he was ready to be a key contributor for the Cyclones early in the season, making the game sealing interception in Iowa State’s 37 – 30 win over Oklahoma. He continued his strong play throughout the season and tallied 50 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups and 3 fumbles forced over 12 games.

Young is a well built player at 5’10” and 200 lbs. He is a powerful hitter who will make his presence known throughout the game. Young has good speed and quickness, allowing him to play as a deep safety or cover receivers one on one when needed. Young has good ball skills and a natural feel for the football, he gets his hands on the ball in coverage and when tackling to create turnover opportunities. Young was still new to his starting role in 2020 and should be even better during the 2021 season.

Iowa State Cyclones Gear

For the complete Top 25 S Rankings click here.

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Governor Wolf Attends Penn State and Pittsburgh University Football Game Image taken by Governor Tom Wolf is licensed under CC BY 2.0.