2024 safeties who will have breakout seasons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I knew after watching film of 2024 safeties in the state of Illinois it wouldn't be difficult to compile this list. With so many talented defensive backs entering their senior years these five guys stood out to me. They have a lot in common: solid tacklers, good speed, and ball skills. Some may not be household names among top college programs, but I believe they all have what it takes to be standout players in college. They had strong junior seasons that have set them up for breakout years in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["354317"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"At 6'2 Gottschild has a ton of range in the back half. He can easily close passing windows up with length. Not only does he have the height, he can also really open up and run. He has great top end speed playing center field for the spartans defense. Gottschild does a nice job with his eyes understanding when he needs to trigger in run support. With his size he is someone who projects to a multitude of positions at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["898674"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":473123,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"May holds multiple D2 offers has he enters his senior season. He has some of the best ball skills out of the  defensive backs for the 2024 class. He is natural at high pointing balls. He is smart player who understands route concepts and trusts his eyes. It is no wonder he was able to break up 12 passes and come away with 5 interception as a junior. I like how he can play corner as well to shut down opposing offenses passing game. If quarterbacks are not getting the ball out on time he can make them pay.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["299397"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Jackson-Mitchell had a good camp season standing out in front of college coaches. He was able to pick up a few offers this summer. He is another guy that has the ability to get moved around in the secondary playing safety or corner. He has good speed and is able to trigger to break up passes. Whether he is at corner or safety he is very good in run support. He is not afraid to stick the ball carrier and finish the tackle. He is entering this season with a lot of momentum and college coaches are taking notice.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Tai Sesta","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Joliet Catholic Academy","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Sesta flys around in the secondary. He is a solid safety who does a lot of things well. At 5'9 170 he is guy who is not afraid to get down in run support. He has 40 tackles last year playing a physical brand of football for JCA. I love the way he plays full speed, showing up on almost every play on film. He is a good athlete that puts himself in the right spot to make plays. He will be a big piece returning for a talented Hilltoppers defense.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Damarion Washington","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Rolling Meadows","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"When you turn on Damarion Washington's film it is full of big plays. He is a big hitter who loves lowering the boom! He plays 100 mph throwing his body around in the secondary and also on special teams. Every coach will love watching the way he plays. Washington also has good top end speed able to hawk down ball carriers from behind to prevent big plays. I look for him to built off of last years success to have an even better year as a senior.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dd8929ebaa2"} /-->