We're bringing you college highlights of the top safety prospects entering the 2016 NFL Draft based on Mike Mayock's top five position-by-position post-combine rankings.
JALEN RAMSEY, FLORIDA STATE
Height: 6-1, Weight: 209
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Ramsey was a top-rated recruit (No. 10 overall by Rivals) out of Tennessee, stepping right into the fire in Tallahassee. In fact, he was the first freshman to start the opener at cornerback for the Seminoles since Deion Sanders 30 years earlier. Each year with FSU, he's garnered several honors, from Freshman All-American nod in 2013 () to All-American and first-team All-ACC accolades in both 2014 (79 tackles, 9.5 for loss, two interceptions, 12 pass break-ups) and 2015 (3.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass break-ups). Ramsey is not in Sanders' class as an athlete (though not many are), but he did win ACC indoor and outdoor long jump titles in 2015. And he has shown great versatility throughout his career, splitting time between cornerback and safety his freshman year, playing the Spur spot in 2014, before moving back to corner as a junior.
KARL JOSEPH, WEST VIRGINIA
Height: 5-10, Weight: 205
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Ironically, Joseph's play style of a complete lack of respect for his own body was not the reason he missed more than half of his senior season. He injured his knee in a non-contact practice drill, putting a stop to his best year to date, where he led the FBS in interceptions (five) after four weeks. Joseph flies into the backfield and attacks receivers in space like few others in this draft class, as he showed during his first-team All-Big 12 junior campaign (92 stops, 4.5 for loss, one interception, three pass break-ups, three forced fumbles.) Joseph started every game as a freshman (team defensive player of the year with 104 tackles, seven for loss, two interceptions, three forced fumbles) and sophomore (68 tackles, three for loss, one interception), as well, earning honorable mention all-conference recognition each season.
VONN BELL, OHIO STATE
Height: 5-11, Weight: 199
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Bell was a top 30 national recruit out of Georgia, but eschewed the overtures of Alabama and other SEC schools to play for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes. His faith in Meyer was rewarded with a national championship in 2014, and the fact his team beat Saban's Crimson Tide in the title game was no small irony. Bell got on the field right way for OSU, playing as a reserve at the nickel spot most of his true freshman season before earning a starting spot in the Orange Bowl versus Clemson (seven tackles, interception). He was inserted into one of the safety spots for 14-of-15 contests in the Buckeyes' championship 2014 season, racking up 92 tackles, two for loss, six interceptions and six pass breakups. Though his statistics dropped a bit in his final year in Columbus (65 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups), Bell's play was still impressive enough to receive 2015 second-team All-Big Ten honors from league coaches (first team from the media).
MILES KILLEBREW, SOUTHERN UTAH
Height: 6-2, Weight: 217
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
It's easy to mistake Killebrew for a linebacker, both because of his physique but also due to his hard hits. The four-year starter earned All-Big Sky recognition in each season: honorable mention in 2012 and 2013, second team in 2014, and first team in 2015. Killebrew reached the triple-digit mark in tackles the past two seasons (101 in 2014, 132 in 2015) and also showed an ability to handle his pass coverage responsibilities each year (three interceptions, one for a touchdown in 2014, seven pass break-ups in 2015). Killebrew was also named second team All-Big Sky last year after blocking two kicks. Special teams acumen and defensive productivity should earn him similar grades to FCS star safety Jaquiski Tartt (Samford), who was picked in the third round of the 2015 draft.
K.J. DILLON, WEST VIRGINIA
Height: 6-0, Weight: 210
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Dillon stepped up his game in his senior year after teammate Karl Joseph went down to injury. He finished with 55 tackles, 7.5 for loss, two interceptions and eight pass break-ups, garnering second team All-Big 12 accolades. Dillon went through the typical ascension through his career in Morgantown, playing on special teams and as a reserve safety as a true freshman (20 tackles, forced fumble) before becoming a part-time starter in 2013 (28 tackles, three for loss, team-leading six pass breakups). He only played in nine games that year, however, because a case of severe dehydration suffered in November landed him first in the hospital and then on the sideline for the remainder of the season. Dillon came back with a vengeance as a junior, though, starting 12 games, making 62 tackles, and tying for the team lead with three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
