Top Safety Prospects: Edwards vs. Washington
The safety position is seeing a wealth of talent, with two names consistently rising to the top: Caleb Edwards of Alabama and Jett Washington of oregon. Both players offer unique skill sets and project as impactful defenders at the next level, but edwards currently holds the edge due to his physical maturity and aggressive play style.
Caleb Edwards, Alabama
Edwards is a physical safety known for his hard-hitting tackles and extraordinary speed. At 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash ESPN. He excels at coming downhill to disrupt the run and consistently makes impactful plays near the line of scrimmage. Edwards demonstrates a strong understanding of run fits, takes proper angles, and delivers powerful tackles. His range and coverage ability also make him a valuable asset in zone coverage schemes. Scouts also believe he has the potential to develop into a nickel linebacker.
Jett Washington, Oregon
Washington is a versatile, rangy safety/linebacker hybrid standing at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. He’s most effective when playing near the line of scrimmage and possesses the ability to rush the passer off the edge. Despite his size, washington displays impressive agility and flexibility. He is a willing tackler and shows flashes of power, but may need to add bulk to avoid perhaps outgrowing the safety position.Washington’s sideline-to-sideline range makes him well-suited for covering tight ends and running backs ESPN.
Why Edwards Ranks No. 1
Currently, Edwards is more physically developed in his ability to utilize his strength and physicality, while Washington still has room to grow in this area. Edwards also demonstrates greater maturity when engaging with blockers.This physicality gives him an immediate advantage in run support and one-on-one matchups.
three-Star sleeper: Matthew Mason, BYU
Matthew Mason is a developmental prospect with significant upside. At 6-foot-2,he possesses a long,lean frame with the potential to add substantial muscle. He exhibits good running ability for his size and demonstrates a willingness to play physically, even rushing the passer on occasion ESPN. A redshirt year combined with a potential mission should allow Mason to develop into a sizable hybrid safety/linebacker.
Key Takeaways
- Caleb Edwards is the more physically ready prospect,excelling in run support and physical matchups.
- Jett Washington offers versatility and potential as a pass rusher, but needs to add strength.
- Matthew Mason is a high-upside developmental prospect with the potential to become a hybrid safety/linebacker.