The Five: Top Ball Hawking Safeties

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">This year's in-state senior recruiting class might have one of the best safety groups we have seen in sometime with several guys fitting that "ball hawk" role nicely. These prospects below fit that role of being an instinctive defender that tends to make plays on the ball, including picking them off or disrupting their opponents routes. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1162582' first='Jaden' last='Butler'] - Haywood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Recently committing to Tennessee, a big factor why Butler is considered a “Top 20” overall prospect is due to his athleticism and ball hawking capabilities on the back end of the secondary. The Tomcats senior does a good job of pre-reading the offense then making quick decisions that usually results in him picking off the pass or batting balls away. He breaks fast on the ball. Butler also shows range to make plays sideline to sideline. This is a versatile safety as well, meaning I think he could excel playing the box or working the field. Butler has the college look and size you want as well with room to continue filling out his frame. There is a lot to like about this West Tennessee talent and his upside at Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='378857' first='Hudson' last='Fuqua'] - Riverdale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Whether you like Fuqua working the box versus the run or you want him to play in space and be a ball hawk, I think this Murfreesboro area prospect can handle both duties. The Warriors senior is a well versed young man that does a good job of reading the play early then reacting quickly, which leads to him becoming a playmaker on the back end. Fuqua has ball hawk tendencies about himself that I believe translates well to the college game. I think Mississippi St. sees that potential, which is where he is currently committed to for college. While Fuqua runs well while showing instinctive play, I do think he can get faster and quicker. If he can enhance those two areas, I could see the Warriors safety having a sensational senior year at Riverdale then compete for early playing time down in Starkville.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1897558,"width":"327px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/9-Hudson-Fuqua-crop-4257x2796-1758342817.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1897558" style="width:327px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale DB [player_tooltip player_id='378857' first='Hudson' last='Fuqua'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1641243' first='Malik' last='Dean Jr.'] - Germantown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Some of the best long term potential from our TN2027 safety class resides right here with this Memphis area product that is still forming his body and coming into his own as a football player. Dean Jr. is a talented young man with excellent size and the ability to throttle down then break quickly on the ball. He displays ball hawking upside that should only get better as he continues to learn himself and playing the safety position. When you look through his junior film, you see a lot of snaps taken at cornerback, which speaks towards his athleticism and lower base agility. I think he translates best on the back end of the secondary in college where Dean Jr. has the potential to turn into a multi-year starter and possibly an All-Conference performer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1585715' first='Quinn' last='Taylor'] - Ensworth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Picking up his first offer last week from Butler, this Nashville area safety is someone to look deeper into as we head towards college camp season because Taylor is legit and someone I can see rising up recruiting charts during the next few months. Big reasons for that is because the Tigers senior brings a nice combination of athleticism, instincts and size to the secondary along with the ability to run. Taylor is a quick reaction ball hawk that breaks quickly on the ball and if he isn't picking it off or breaking up the pass, he is creating violent contact. More time is needed at the dinner table and in the weight room for Taylor but the raw athletic, ball hawking traits are in place. If he can continue to develop in the right direction, I wouldn't be surprised to see Power Four schools get involved before it's said and done.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='2082939' first='Hill' last='Strong'] - Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Eagles have consistently put defensive back prospects into the college ranks for years now and Strong looks like another one that is headed to that stage. What stands out about this Mid-Tennessee product is his athleticism, instincts and range. This guy has “ball hawk” written all over him and I think Strong is still coming into his own as a player, so his best football days appear to be ahead of him. The Eagles senior does a nice job in his back pedal while keeping himself in position to make plays, even using his range and speed to track down the ball. He is also willing to come up in run support but Strong does need to keep getting bigger to sustain himself in the physicality department. I do like the upside here and believe we could be in-store for a breakout senior year where Strong puts his ball hawk skills on full display.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2168396,"width":"274px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/hstrong.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2168396" style="width:274px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Other Ball Hawks to Know ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1881268' first='Jadarius' last='Hinton'] - Tyner Acad.: </strong>Hinton should be a great addition to the Rams secondary this Fall where he can use his ball hawk traits and size to make a difference on the back end. This 6'0 senior is a versatile piece as Hinton can work the box or play the field. He displays excellent burst on the ball and instincts along with the physicality coaches like. If he can continue increasing his agility and speed, his stock may take-off into D1 status.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1158912' first='Kadience' last='Nelson'] - MASE: </strong>Nelson might be one of the best pure ball hawks we have from the TN2027 class. If he was two inches taller, his name would be circulating a lot more on the recruiting scene but it looks like he must play the long game. This Memphis area product has a quick first step along with great instincts that allows him to be a playmaker on the back end. Nelson is an athletic guy that could play either safety role or even slide down to nickelback and excel there as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1974488' first='Cason' last='Reed'] - East Nashville: </strong>Athletic and twitchy with a nose for the ball, Reed is one of the more underrated defensive prospects we have at this time and someone I think can develop into a possible Power Four guy down the road. The Eagles senior has good size with nice arm length while also sporting quick feet and tremendous instincts. His film screams field safety and I think he can develop nicely there in college as a top notch ball hawk that can provide the occasional work stopping the run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1925934' first='Tristan' last='Thornton'] - Blackman: </strong>Last season was a breakout year for this Mid-Tennessee safety as he let his ball hawking abilities take center stage and put himself on the recruiting radar as a legit college prospect. What Thornton does best is read the play then quickly react on the ball. His instincts are strong and once he recognizes the play, the Blaze senior attacks without hesitation. Increasing his speed this off-season could boost his stock but whoever lands this guy will certainly be getting a bonafide ball hawk.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1104284' first='Dequavion' last='Bell'] - Munford: </strong>A versatile defender that could develop at strong or free safety, Bell shows flashes of ball hawk-like traits on film that translate well to the college game. The Cougars senior defensive back brings nice size to the field along with instincts and physicality that could work at both safety roles. I do like his upside best playing the boundary where he can make plays in pass coverage while also having the ability to make physical hits in run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2103189,"width":"229px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/8-Tristan-Thornton.png?w=582" alt="" class="wp-image-2103189" style="width:229px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->