Names to Know: Six Standout Safeties

Colorado has officially made it through the first half of its 2020 Fall season, and what an exciting season it has been so far! There have been more than a few games that kept us on the edge of our seats, while others proved to be the perfect stage for players to elevate their stats and leave their mark on the leader boards. With there being such a large number of players stepping into the spotlight, now seems like the perfect time to highlight a few standout safeties as we head into week four. [player_tooltip player_id="66128" first="Andrew" last="Piper"] - Erie - 2021 - 6’1”, 200lbs In addition to being a ball-hawking safety, Piper is a walking hit-stick. His versatility and physicality makes him a phenomenal player when in coverage, as well as in the box for run support. He has great instincts for the ball and seems to recognize plays really well. Piper has a very disruptive playing style and rarely squanders interception opportunities, making him an absolute standout as a safety. [caption id="attachment_44635" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-44635" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/213CB182-5943-4AC8-B334-B70B7EF4A332.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> [player_tooltip player_id="37355" first="Elijah" last="Graham"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="37355" first="Elijah" last="Graham"] - Cherokee Trail - 2021 - 6’0”, 200lbs Graham is a safety that truly embodies the mentality of the no-fly-zone style of play. His natural instincts for the ball consistently puts him in the perfect position to disrupt passing plays. This makes him a top candidate for any system that is looking for that player who will be a nightmare for any passing game. Graham’s commitment to making each play better than his last is just one of the many reasons why he is a safety to keep tabs on. [player_tooltip player_id="22693" first="Malique" last="Singleton"] - Grandview - 2022 - 6’0”, 170lbs With a defensive back core like Grandview's, it is quite easy to get excited about any one of the players who fly around back there. What makes Singleton standout is his work ethic, he seems to be everywhere the ball is at any time. He is the leading tackler for his team, as well as number two in turnovers. Singleton’s ability to play situational football is next level, which is a big deal for a junior. If he is not already on your watch list, it would be wise to pencil him in. [caption id="attachment_32437" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-32437" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/Jenkins-Elite-HS-Camp41-300x247.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="247" /> [player_tooltip player_id="56052" first="Beto" last="Ledezma"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="56052" first="Beto" last="Ledezma"] - Castle View - 2022 - 5’10, 180lbs Ledezma is a player who has made the switch from being an outside linebacker to more of a strong safety, which means he is another defensive back who is unafraid to hit. He possesses the ability to cover and the instincts to jump routes and make turnovers. He also makes sure that his presence is felt against the run by playing in the box and bringing the boom to any rusher. Ledezma is a great fit for a scheme that utilizes hybrid safeties. [player_tooltip player_id="46108" first="Kamari" last="Lewis-Stallworth"] - Smoky Hill - 2021 - 6’1”, 170lbs If you’re looking for another athletic player who can fill multiple roles, look no further than Lewis-Stallworth. He is the type of player who can line up 15 yards deep as a single safety and use his athleticism to cover the entire field, he can line up in the box as run support, or he can go one-on-one in man-coverage. His physicality can easily be seen because of his fearless tackling abilities. Whether he is playing zone-coverage, man-coverage or run-support, Lewis-Stallworth is easily one of the top players on the field. [player_tooltip player_id="22587" first="Enoch" last="Woolfolk"] - Cherry Creek - 2021 - 5’10” Woolfolk has arguably the smoothest backpedal out of everyone on this list. When in zone-coverage, his movements are so fluid that he is able to transition with speed and precision to make plays. He is also one of the better man-coverage players on this list as well, which makes him a great option for the nickel position. Woolfolk is an invaluable asset to what is easily the most dominant defensive back core in the state.