Five Safeties Breaking Out In The 2025 Season

I recently launched my new player series, examining breakout players for every position, regardless of classification or age. After spending a considerable amount of time discussing offensive players, I shifted to the defensive side last week.   For the final article in this series, we'll be taking a look at the safety position. It was hard narrowing this list down to just five, because there were a lot of players I could've chosen.   But after checking out the film, statistics and the development players have made over an offseason, here are the five guys I picked out. Several of them are legitimate Power Four prospects, with a couple of underclassmen making the cut.   It's a very talented position class, so let's get into it.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/addavis.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1879185" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Blackman safety [player_tooltip player_id='1589509' first='A'Darien' last='Davis']. Photo by Blackman Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2026 S [player_tooltip player_id='1589509' first='A'Darien' last='Davis'] – Blackman   Senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='1589509' first='A'Darien' last='Davis'] transferred from Stewarts Creek this offseason and has made a considerable impact on Blackman's defense, which is among the best in Tennessee.   The '26 safety plays a great center field, where he limits the downfield passing game. On the occasion that they do throw his way, it's typically a deflection or a big hit to force an incompletion.   Davis is a physical player, allowing him to play all over the field. It's not out of the ordinary to see him walk up in the box to play the run or guard the flat.   He's a good tackler who's smart in the back end of the defense while offering great versatility for the Blackman Blaze.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/bjohnston.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1855133" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knoxville Catholic safety [player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston']. Photo by Knox Catholic Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2028 S [player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston'] – Knoxville Catholic   Knox Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston'] stepped in as a full-time starter this season and has been nothing short of outstanding. He's a younger defensive back, but he doesn't play like it.   Johnston is smart, communicates like a veteran, knows coverages well and plays fast.   He started his sophomore campaign with a great game against Riverdale and has carried that momentum throughout the regular season.   Johnston plays center field and coverage well, but his best ability is the physicality he brings to the gridiron. He's a hard hitter who loves contact and will run through somebody's face.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-06-2025-7-56-10-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2034577" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Blackman safety [player_tooltip player_id='1580781' first='Jayden' last='Sanders']. Photo by Blackman Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2028 S [player_tooltip player_id='1580781' first='Jayden' last='Sanders'] – Blackman   [player_tooltip player_id='1580781' first='Jayden' last='Sanders'] played his freshman year at Middle Tennessee Christian before transferring to Blackman over the summer.   The young defensive back was a solid player for the Cougars, but being with the Blaze has taken his game to the next level.   He's part of an elite defense, where he's been able to learn and develop. The 6-foot-1 safety boasts a lengthy frame, excellent athleticism and a good football IQ.   Similar to his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1589509' first='A'Darien' last='Davis'], he plays sound coverage, but can also walk up in the box.   Sanders is a physical player who excels at breaking down and making form tackles, while preventing the opposition from gaining extra yardage after the catch.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/DSC06230.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1686921" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: FRA safety [player_tooltip player_id='1664092' first='Amari' last='Mitchell'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 S [player_tooltip player_id='1664092' first='Amari' last='Mitchell'] – Franklin Road Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='1664092' first='Amari' last='Mitchell'] played at Franklin Road Academy as a rotational safety in 2024. However, he earned the full-time job this season and has blossomed into one of the better defensive backs for his class.   He's more of a box safety, as he's a physical and good-tackling DB. Mitchell can play solid coverage in the back end of FRA's defense, while patrolling center field to prevent explosive plays.   Securing the starting job this year has done wonders for his development, demonstrating that he has a high ceiling with FBS potential.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-06-2025-8-01-31-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2034581" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA safety Evan Kellum. Photo by BGA Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2028 S Evan Kellum – Battle Ground Academy   Battle Ground Academy's Evan Kellum is a first-year starter for the Wildcats, where he's shown flashes of being one of the many 2028 in-state Power Four defensive backs.   After seeing little time as a freshman, Kellum played in all 10 regular-season games this year, where he's been outstanding.   He recorded 34 tackles, four interceptions and three TFLs. He's a longer defensive back, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 192 pounds.   The sophomore safety is a do-it-all guy who can play up in the box or in coverage. He's a ball hawk who seems to always find his way around the pigskin, whether that be intercepting a pass or hitting a receiver to break up a play.   When he walks up in the box, Kellum is an effective tackler who patrols the flat and is excellent in pursuit on short routes.

I recently launched my new player series, examining breakout players for every position, regardless of classification or age. After spending a considerable amount of time discussing offensive players, I shifted to the defensive side last week.