2026 Draft: Safety

[One-If-By-Sea]

Not concerned with the missed tackle rate?

Yes. I talked about that in my post. I think it's ed range. coachable. It's not because he's scared to hit but because he's only been playing on defense for three educe years.

Isn't closing speed and missed tackle % related?

I play baseball/softball in the outfield. The really fast guys get to more balls but drop more. The way to eliminate the drops is to reduce the speed at the end of the runs, but then the range is reduced. Rarely can someone learn to catch more balls without learning how to throttle their runs.

The best way to improve the tackling rate is to throttle back the approaching speed while going into tackling mode. Some guys don't have that natural instinct - Schooler is an example.

WR converted to DB - hmmm. Out of control so he can't catch a ball. Wild closing speed as a S, but he misses tackles. Teachable? Maybe, but not easy.

 

[Clonamery]

Isn't closing speed and missed tackle % related?

I play baseball/softball in the outfield. The really fast guys get to more balls but drop more. The way to eliminate the drops is to reduce the speed at the end of the runs, but then the range is reduced. Rarely can someone learn to catch more balls without learning how to throttle their runs.

The best way to improve the tackling rate is to throttle back the approaching speed while going into tackling mode. Some guys don't have that natural instinct - Schooler is an example.

WR converted to DB - hmmm. Out of control so he can't catch a ball. Wild closing speed as a S, but he misses tackles. Teachable? Maybe, but not easy.

That's a leap.

Utes football: Utes set a quarterback deadline and make a key position change

Utes free safety Tao Johnson is embracing his free safety role, updates on Utah's backup quarterback competition and more:

www.sltrib.com

 

[mayoclinic]

That's a leap.

Leaping could definitely lead to increased missed tackles.

 

[manxman2601]

Isn't closing speed and missed tackle % related?

I play baseball/softball in the outfield. The really fast guys get to more balls but drop more. The way to eliminate the drops is to reduce the speed at the end of the runs, but then the range is reduced. Rarely can someone learn to catch more balls without learning how to throttle their runs.

The best way to improve the tackling rate is to throttle back the approaching speed while going into tackling mode. Some guys don't have that natural instinct - Schooler is an example.

WR converted to DB - hmmm. Out of control so he can't catch a ball. Wild closing speed as a S, but he misses tackles. Teachable? Maybe, but not easy.

From what I can glean, he needs to be coached more as a wrap up tackler. I don't think his closing speed is the problem, it's more that he looks to make the big splashy hit using his body rather than his arms.

 

[Clonamery]

From what I can glean, he needs to be coached more as a wrap up tackler. I don't think his closing speed is the problem, it's more that he looks to make the big splashy hit using his body rather than his arms.

Yeah, sticking his head in there so often is going to get his clock cleaned.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

From what I can glean, he needs to be coached more as a wrap up tackler. I don't think his closing speed is the problem, it's more that he looks to make the big splashy hit using his body rather than his arms.

OK. Thanks. Clearly if the tackler slows down at the last second it is easier to tackle, but there is technique involved too.

If you watched Schooler last Sunday on B Hall's TD run, he was charging forward out of control so Hall simply angled towards the sideline and was gone. I am not sure max closing speed is great.

 

[manxman2601]

OK. Thanks. Clearly if the tackler slows down at the last second it is easier to tackle, but there is technique involved too.

If you watched Schooler last Sunday on B Hall's TD run, he was charging forward out of control so Hall simply angled towards the sideline and was gone. I am not sure max closing speed is great.

It has to be controlled for sure. The example in the tweet I posted was chasing down a runner on one side of the field from the opposite side. That's where pursuit speed is useful but yes, if you're approaching the runner head on then it needs to be more controlled.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[Uptown]

Exactly the type of safety we need

 

[mayoclinic]

As was discussed 4-5 months ago at the beginning of this thread.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

Jakobe Thomas’ NFL Draft stock rises

2021 graduate from Tullahoma High School, Jakobe Thomas, is currently balling out for Miami in the college football playoffs. He helped the Hurricanes upset and advance past Ohio State to

www.tullahomanews.com

 

[manxman2601]

Jakobe Thomas’ NFL Draft stock rises

2021 graduate from Tullahoma High School, Jakobe Thomas, is currently balling out for Miami in the college football playoffs. He helped the Hurricanes upset and advance past Ohio State to

www.tullahomanews.com

He's a high highs, low lows type of player. Big time playmaker and hitter but also blows coverage too much and has a high missed tackle percentage. Aggressive rather than disciplined.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

James Foster and Cory Kinnan rank their top safeties. If you want to learn about the top safeties in this class, this is the video to watch.

TLDW below in spoiler

Spoiler: Rankings Here

1. Caleb Downs
2. Dillon Thieneman
3. Emmanuel Mcneil-Warren
4. Genesis Smith
5. Kamari Ramsey
6. AJ Haulcey
7. Bray Hubbard

 

[Clonamery]

James Foster and Cory Kinnan rank their top safeties. If you want to learn about the top safeties in this class, this is the video to watch.

TLDW below in spoiler

Spoiler: Rankings Here

1. Caleb Downs
2. Dillon Thieneman
3. Emmanuel Mcneil-Warren
4. Genesis Smith
5. Kamari Ramsey
6. AJ Haulcey
7. Bray Hubbard

I appreciate Kinnan's enthusiasm but he lacks Foster's authority and confidence.

 

[manxman2601]

I appreciate Kinnan's enthusiasm but he lacks Foster's authority and confidence.

Kinnan is by far my least favourite of the two. He also seems to get a kick out of being negative about prospects. There never seems to be grey areas with him. Someone is either one of his favourites or they're awful. The good thing about them both though is that we know they put the time in watching the tape which automatically gives them credence in my book.

 

[mayoclinic]

2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Zakee Wheatley, Safety, Penn State

Penn State's Zakee Wheatley is the focus of our latest 2026 NFL Draft scouting report.

bucswire.usatoday.com