5 Safeties who shined at the Senior Bowl

The safety position at the Reese’s Senior Bowl may not be loaded with big school names but that doesn’t mean there is a lack of talent. The players posses a variety of skills both in man coverage on pass catchers and in zone coverage reading opposing quarterbacks. Five guys made an impression during practices and in Saturday’s game.

Jeremy Cash | S | Duke

Jeremy Cash is my favorite safety at the Senior Bowl and possibly in the entire draft class. He has a nose for the football and gets downhill quickly. His ability to get off blocks and get to the ball carrier is impressive. Cash can line up in multiple spots and anticipate well. Expect to hear Cash’s name called on day 2.

Kevin Byard | S | Middle Tennessee

I hadn’t seen a ton of Kevin Byard coming into the the Senior Bowl but left Mobile very intrigued. He showed great ball skills both lineup on a pass catcher or as single-high safety in zone coverage. Byard really trusts his eyes and gets to the right spot most of the time. Kevin Byard likely won’t come off of the board until the third round or later but some team will get a talented player.

Kevin Byard of Middle Tennessee is intriguing. pic.twitter.com/zdaiR1GDGP

— Christian (@FBLRave) January 29, 2016

Miles Killebrew | S | Southern Utah

The North team has been lead in the secondary all week by Southern Utah’s Miles Killebrew. He has the physical size at just under 6’2” and 219 pounds be dominant at the position. He has shown a clean back pedal and an ability to flip his hips to cover opposing pass catchers. His tape shows his ability to attack the ball in the air and the ball carrier. An area scout said of Killebrew, “He’s a better football player than Shaq Thompson and Deone Bucannon were when they came out.” He has to continue to impress throughout the NFL Draft process but a Day 2 selection is definitely in play for this hard hitting safety.

Darian Thompson | S | Boise State

The blue Boise State helmet was hard to miss during the Senior Bowl week. Darian Thompson was making plays all over the field in both individual drills and team activities. Thompson has ideal size for a NFL safety at almost 6’2” and 217 pounds. In the Senior Bowl game Thompson had 5 tackles and 2 pass breakups. He should come off of the board in the Day 2 range.

#BoiseState safety Darian Thompson was very inconsistent on tape. But he helped himself this week at the Senior Bowl.

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 30, 2016

DeAndre Houston-Carson | S | William and Mary

DeAndre Houston-Carson showed consistency and versatility all week in Mobile. Optimum Scouting’s Eric Galko said of Houston-Carson, he “impressed with sublime footwork and snaps his hips when asked to turn and locate the football.” He has the physical size to play safety and the ability to cover opposing pass catchers. He spent his first three years at cornerback and moved to free safety for his senior season. That versatility will be coveted at the next level. He will likely be a safety in the NFL but can be moved onto tight ends and wide receivers when necessary. Houston-Carson will should hear his name called on Day 2.

Follow @notoriouskro

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