Risers In The CFB Saturdays College Football S Rankings

With a few weeks of the season in the books and an opportunity to see how players have developed we have 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 who have made big moves up in the rankings.

Brandon Joseph – Northwestern

A year ago, Brandon Joseph was another freshman that was redshirting and waiting his turn. Now he is a rising star in the secondary for an undefeated Northwestern team. Joseph has been phenomenal for the Wildcats at the safety position. He has excellent burst and instincts in the secondary, helping him to anticipate plays and close on the football quickly. He recognizes running plays quickly and closes fast to make the tackle. Against the pass, Joseph shows an uncanny ability to find the football and the ball skills to come down with it in contested situations. Joseph is a good athlete, but he is also an intelligent football player who puts himself in good position, giving himself the best chance to make a play. These skills have translated into an awesome start to his career.

With an often interrupted off-season it was difficult to know what to expect from younger players and first time starters in 2020. Joseph earned a starting spot and has been outstanding all year. Through five games this season, he has made 28 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 5 interceptions. Joseph has made big plays in big spots for the Wildcats. Against Iowa he made two interceptions, one in the third quarter to set up the go ahead score, and one in the fourth quarter to help seal the win when Iowa was in position for a go ahead score of their own. Against Nebraska, he made his interception in the endzone on a jumpball against the tight end to keep Nebraska off the board in a close win for the Wildcats. Again in the Wisconsin game, Joseph had two interceptions, one of which set up the go ahead touchdown. Brandon Joseph has quickly emerged as a star in the Northwestern secondary and will be a joy to watch in his career.

Jamar Johnson – Indiana

Jamar Johnson arrived at Indiana as part of the 2018 recruiting class and has been a big part of the team’s turnaround. He played in 10 games as a true freshman, then made two interceptions as a sophomore in 2019. In 2020 he has excelled at safety for the Hoosiers, showing off his versatility and playmaking ability. He can play either safety spot and is able to blitz the quarterback, hold up in the box against the run, and play the pass as the last line of defense downfield. Johnson’s versatility allows the Hoosiers to use him in a variety of ways and create confusion for the offense. As a full time starter in 2020, Johnson has become an impact player for Indiana and one of the key pieces for the team’s defense.

Indiana plays an aggressive defense that blitzes a lot and creates confusion for the offense. Johnson’s versatility has allowed him to wear many hats for the Hoosiers and make an impact all over the field. He has made 25 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 2 pass breakups and a fumble forced in five games. He has been filling up the stat sheet on a weekly basis and creating big plays for his team. Against an explosive Ohio State offense last weekend he made two interceptions, broke up a pass and recorded a sack. The future is bright for the Hoosiers and their playmaking safety is a big part of it.

Jordan Battle – Alabama

Battle was a big time recruit in Alabama’s 2019 recruiting class. He arrived with high expectations and is starting to tap into his potential. Battle looks like an elite safety, with the height and length teams look for at the position. He is a high end athlete at the safety position who has the coverage skills to play man to man and the range and instincts to play zone or center field. He is a physical football player who is an asset in run support and will deliver a big hit. Battle is a multi-talented player who does a lot of things at a high level and fits in well on a talented Alabama defense. He earned a starting spot this season and has hit the ground running in 2020.

Alabama’s defense is full of high end athletes that are capable of making big plays. It takes a special athlete to find enough plays to stand out on a unit that is littered with playmakers. Battle has done just that, recording 37 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups and a touchdown in seven games this season. Most importantly, Battle has done his job, often young players feel the pressure to make plays and try to do more than they need to. Battle has played within the defense, minding his responsibilities and allowing the plays to come to him. He is just scratching the surface of his immense potential, but is well on his way to becoming a star for Alabama.

Smoke Monday – Auburn

It’s hard to bet against a guy named Smoke Monday. The junior began to emerge last season with a big game in the Iron Bowl that featured a sack and a pick six. Monday entered the 2020 season a starter at safety and has continued to make big plays for the Tigers’ defense. He has excellent height and length and good speed at the safety position. Monday plays with range in the secondary, showing good anticipation to put himself in position to make the play. Monday is a capable blitzer who uses his speed and agility to maneuver past would be blockers and get to the ball carrier. He is making big plays in the Auburn secondary and becoming a name to remember.

Monday has gotten more playing time in 2020 and his production has justified the increased playing time. Monday has accounted for 42 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, 2 QB hurries and a touchdown through seven games this season. He has made big plays in a variety of ways for the Auburn defense. For example, with the Tigers holding a three point lead and Tennessee in the redzone, he made an interception in his own endzone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Monday has made a habit of making big plays in big games and is blossoming into one of the best safeties in college football.

Bubba Bolden – Miami

If we had updated this list a few weeks ago, Bolden may have ranked even higher on the list. He has been brilliant at times this season, but has also had games where he does not play up to his potential. Bolden has the size, athleticism and attitude to be an elite safety. He covers ground well in the secondary, is a big hitter and recognizes plays well and arrives with the intention of making a big play. Bolden makes big plays against the run and the pass and can be an eraser on the back end for Miami. When he is on his game, he cleans up mistakes for the defense and makes impact plays to change the momentum of the game. Bolden has developed in 2020 and has been a big part of Miami’s turnaround this season.

Bolden committed to USC out of high school but transferred to Miami. After sitting out in 2018, he played sparingly in 2019 but broke into the starting lineup in 2020. Bolden has made many big plays for Miami this season. He has tallied 43 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, 3 fumbles forced and 2 blocked kicks in eight games this season. Bolden has the ability and instincts to make big plays for the defense. Occasionally he has taken a bad penalty, or ended up out of position, as he cleans up these miscues Bolden will become one of the elite safeties in the country.

Click here for the Top 25 S Rankings.

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Raekwon Davis and Jordan Battle Image taken by Gamecock Central is licensed under CC BY 2.0.