A look at who I believe are the top-five safeties on Florida's 2024 schedule
Graham Hall
With the offseason in full swing, I'm once again taking a crack at ranking the top-5 players at each position the Gators will face on the 2024 schedule. The list concludes with who I believe are the top-five safeties UF will face:
No. 5: Trey Washington, Ole Miss
Height:5-foot-11
Weight:205 pounds
Year:Senior
247Sports Ranking: No. 1,098 overall, No. 93-ranked cornerback in the class of 2021 in 247Sports' Composite Rankings
2023 Statistics:83 tackles (45 solo), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 3 INTs, 2 passes defended
Overview:The Rebels' leading tackler in 2023, Trey Washington will look to do it once again in his fourth season in Oxford. He recorded three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2023, along with three passes defended. Washington showcased his ability to produce against elite competition, and he took home one SEC Defensive Player of the Week award last season in Ole Miss' win over Georgia Tech, a game which saw Washington log 10 tackles, including one tackle for a loss, along with his lone forced fumble of the season.
He'll be playing for a new position coach in Bryan Brown, but he should once again help lead the way for the Rebels in 2024, although there is arguably a more talented safety opposite him.
Regardless, Washington should step into a leadership role for the Rebels while continuing to produce at a high level, making him one of the more talented safeties the Gators will face in 2023.
No. 4: Deshawn Pace, UCF
Height:6-foot-2
Weight:220 pounds
Year:5th-year senior
247Sports Ranking: No. 1,646 overall, No. 123-ranked safety in the class of 2020 in 247Sports' Composite Rankings
2023 Statistics:80 tackles (42 solo), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 5 passes defended
Overview:Pace plays a linebacker/safety hybrid role, but he should be an impactful safety at UCF after transferring from Cincinnati in the offseason. In 2023, he recorded80 tackles, including 11 tackles for a loss, an INT, six pass break-ups, and a forced fumble – impressive statistics, yet it wasn't even Pace's best season at the collegiate level. That would be his sophom*ore campaign in 2021, when he registered 95 tackles and four interceptions, as Cincinnati made the College Football Playoff before losing to Alabama.
If he can further improve – there are questions regarding his ability in pass-coverage – he should be a top option at safety for the Knights this season. I'm expecting him to be an impactful addition for UCF when all is said and done.
No. 3: John Saunders Jr., Ole Miss
Height:6-foot-2
Weight:200 pounds
Year:Senior
247Sports Ranking: N/A
2023 Statistics:65 tackles (39 solo), 3 INTs, 4 passes defended
Overview:I'm interested to see where Saunders Jr. ultimately lines up, as he has the ability to play STAR along with cornerback, yet he should be a presence at free safety for the Rebels in 2024.
He played cornerback his first three seasons at Miami (Ohio) before moving to the SEC and joining Ole Miss, and there was some speculation he'd opt to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ultimately, he returned to the program for the 2024 season, and he'll look to pick up where he left off last season, which saw him start all 13 games, leading to an All-SEC Second Team selection by season's end.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see him take the next step in his progression during his second season at safety in Oxford.
No. 2: Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Height:6-foot-0
Weight:186 pounds
Year:Senior
247Sports Ranking: No. 167 overall, No. 8-ranked safety in the class of 2021 in 247Sports' Composite Rankings
2023 Statistics:42 tackles (28 solo), 1 fumble recovery, 6 passes defended
Overview:A three-year starter at Clemson, Mukuba transferred to Texas in the offseason, and he should immediately start at safety for the Longhorns during his first season with the program.
He was ranked as one of the top safety prospects in the NCAA's transfer portal during the offseason, and he should step in and fill the void in the third level for the Longhorns. Frankly, Texas' secondary was a glaring weakness for one of college football's best teams in 2023, and adding Mukuba should help shore up the unit.
After an eye-opening freshman campaign, his 2022 season wasn't very impressive, but he was competing through injury, and his 2023 season showcased what he could do when fully healthy.
Now that he's at Texas, I expect him to be one of the conference's top safeties this season.
No. 1: Malaki Starks, Georgia
Height:6-foot-1
Weight:205 pounds
Year:Junior
247Sports Ranking: No. 19 overall, No. 1-ranked athlete in the class of 2022 in 247Sports' Composite Rankings
2023 Statistics:52 tackles (31 solo), 3 INTs, 7 passes defended
Overview:Starks is arguably the top safety in the SEC heading into the 2024 season, and he should live up to expectations in a UGA defensive room tasked with replacing multiple standout players from a season ago.
His first two seasons in Athens have been quite impressive; his 84.8 PFF run-defense grade in 2023 ranked seventh in the Power Five, according to Pro Football Focus, and he's considered to be a sound tackler who excels in pass coverage, too.
Starks will look to prove he's the top safety in college football this season, and he should emerge as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if he's able to do just that.
