Positional Breakdown: 2024 Safeties

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group of Safeties from New York is a very versatile group that shows not just a bunch of different styles of play as defensive backs, but some can line up all over a defense. Overall, some of these guys may not be true single high or deep safeties, but they fit the mold of safety much better than a cornerback. While there is one clear #1 guy at this position, several intriguing prospects are knocking on the door, some of which already have some solid offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The Top Guy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450634"],"_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":"Deonte Douglas has one of the best feels for the game of any defender in this class. Douglas is an explosive athlete that not only displays strong ball skills but has the ability to athletically work against any opponent in New York State. Douglas does his best work in space where his mirroring in off coverage and ability to make plays at the catch point are his best traits. Douglas has great range and his explosiveness and acceleration allow him to make plays and get to balls not many other safeties can get to. As a tackler, Douglas plays above his size and uses physicality to win and finish plays. Overall, Douglas is one of the best playmakers on defense in New York. In limited in action on offense Douglas even shines their due to his elite athleticism.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641344897d237"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Five Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["256745"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='256745' first='Adande' last='Nartey'] is a true free safety and has great range and ball skills. Nartey reads the quarterback well and does a good job using really solid vision and instincts to keep his zone responsibilities covered. Nartey has really good burst and closing speed on the ball and does a good job of consistently challenging the catch point. Nartey is a really solid playmaker and can create turnovers with his mental processing and quick ability to close. Nartey is a solid tackler and can make plays in space but taking the next step in his game will include being more of a factor coming downhill and making plays in the run game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["241135"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='241135' first='Shamir' last='Fredericks'] has elite length at 6-4 and his range as a safety is really solid. Fredericks does a good job of reading route patterns and when he can keep everything in front of him is one of the best playmakers on the ball. Fredericks has some of the best tools in this class and has a really high ceiling because of that. Fredericks however, can take a big step this season as a run defender and with his physicality both in coverage and tackling. Fredericks is lean but the skillset is there in coverage, rounding out that skillset will be important headed into this fall.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["521451"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='521451' first='Lechaun' last='Anderson'] is another lengthy safety prospect whose range and ball skills are showcased on tape. Anderson is really solid and diagnosing plays and routes and reacting quickly. Anderson is a physical tackler and can bring down smaller twitchy athletes in space. In coverage, Anderson does a solid job of showcasing his range as a safety but needs to show more consistent ability to mirror receivers. His athleticism allows him to not be in-stride with receivers and recover but he would easily have more opportunities to create turnovers with tighter coverage skills. However, as a true free safety who can drop and read the quarterback he is really solid showing his range and ability to dominate the catch point.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["406846"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='406846' first='Ervin' last='Wiggins'] plays that SS/OLB position for East but I think due to his athleticism and size translates as a safety at the next level who can line up with some versatility and around the box. Wiggins plays with great physicality and can be a presence coming downhill and making plays in the run game. His burst and explosiveness make offensive lineman struggle to deal with his aggressive style getting into the backfield. In coverage, Wiggins could improve in mirroring and staying tighter in 1v1 matchups but in zone coverage he is aggressive in reading the quarterback and flying to the ball. Wiggins may not have the range of other safety prospects in this class but is one of the most physical tacklers.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["521444"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='521444' first='Barrett' last='Pennington'] is a safety prospect who can line up with some different alignments and showcase a really solid close on the ball and good coverage skills. Pennington is really quick reading the game and has great closing speed getting to the ball. He may lack some size and strength but he plays much bigger than he is listed and is a physical tackler. While Pennington is solid in coverage his best play comes when he can read and react to the ball in front of him around the LOS. Pennington is fantastic at making plays on screen or swing passes where he can get into the backfield. Overall, Pennington is solid in coverage but could use some refinement in his mirroring and ability to stay in-stride with consistency.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641344897d30c"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Sleepers You Should Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521442"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='521442' first='Raymond' last='Kwasniewski'] is exciting to watch because he plays with such an intense motor. Kwasniewski has elite play speed and he always trusts his instincts. Kwasniewski is like lighting to the ball he has such great acceleration and quickness. While Kwasniewski makes plays all over the field using his athleticism he could showcase some development in coverage and making plays on the ball. Kwasniewski has solid skills as a player in coverage but he can certainly take another step in that facet of the game and become a more well rounded player. A little plus for Kwasniewski  is that he is one of the best ST players in the state with multiple blocked punts.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["521450"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='521450' first='Ray' last='Boyd Jr'] is a really solid safety prospect who played really tough competition all season. Boyd showed flashes of being one of the better safeties in the Catholic League but for Boyd Jr the key will be consistency in his play. Boyd Jr is a solid tackler and can play solid coverage deep where he has solid range. Boyd Jr has good closing speed and the ball and can make plays to limit yards after the catch consistently. The next step for Boyd Jr will be turning some of his solid play into creating TO's and creating more negative plays and incompletions. Boyd Jr flashes the ability to be a really sought after safety in this recruiting class and showcases a wide range of skills. Consistency is the key and being able to have positive reps each drive will be the key for Boyd Jr this fall.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["604510"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='604510' first='Anthony' last='Contaldi'] was a very important factor in a dominant Sayville season, the safety is a really solid tackler and has some really impressive versatility on tape. Contaldi showed he can be an effective blitzer but also play a deeper coverage role. Contaldi is physical and can take on blocks and win at the point of attack with his upper body strength. He is a solid tackler who hits hard and make plays in the backfield consistently. Although he is a true safety he can play up and around the LOS due to his physicality and motor defending the run. In Coverage, Contaldi has good recovery speed and disruption at the catch point but being more consistent and sticky in coverage should be a point of emphasis this season. Contaldi, with some more solid tape in coverage could shoot up the rankings this fall.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641344897d392"} /-->