FCS Football: Highest Graded Returning Safeties In 2023

We utilized the Pro Football Focus (PFF) database and grading system to take a look at the highest-graded returning safeties across FCS football entering the 2023 season.

Each player’s PFF Grade represents their overall defensive grade from the 2022 season, including postseason games. Safeties who played 50% of the minimum number of snaps (903) were included in the rankings below. All rankings and statistics were gathered using the Pro Football Focus database. 

*NOTE: These rankings are not the official Bluebloods FCS Positional Rankings For The 2023 Season*

1. Clayborne Fields III (Chattanooga)

PFF Defensive Grade: 91.5

2022 Statistics: 73 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, 90.1 coverage grade

2. Brent Jackson (Rhode Island)

PFF Defensive Grade: 90.5

2022 Statistics: 111 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, 90.1 coverage grade

3. Gregory Reddick (North Alabama)

PFF Defensive Grade: 89.7

2022 Statistics: 77 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, 87.1 coverage grade

4. Lance Wise (Mercer)

PFF Defensive Grade: 85.9

2022 Statistics: 58 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, 88.5 coverage grade

5. Grif Wurtz (St. Thomas)

PFF Defensive Grade: 84.5

2022 Statistics: 60 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, 86.3 coverage grade

6. Davis Smith (Monmouth)

PFF Defensive Grade: 84.3

2022 Statistics: 44 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 3 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, 85.2 coverage grade

7. Rassie Littlejohn (Stetson)

PFF Defensive Grade: 84.0

2022 Statistics: 57 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 7 interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 88.5 coverage grade

8. Lawrence Johnson (Southeast Missouri)

PFF Defensive Grade: 83.0

2022 Statistics: 86 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 interception, 9 pass breakups, 72.4 coverage grade

9. Reuben Lowery III (Chattanooga)

PFF Defensive Grade: 82.5

2022 Statistics: 52 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, 81.5 coverage grade

10. Sheldon Arnold II (East Tennessee State)

PFF Defensive Grade: 82.3

2022 Statistics: 53 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, 80.0 coverage grade

11. Kourtlan Marsh (Samford)

PFF Defensive Grade: 82.0

2022 Statistics: 50 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 12 pass breakups, 74.6 coverage grade

T-12. Ty Trinh (Villanova)

PFF Defensive Grade: 81.9

2022 Statistics: 55 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 77.4 coverage grade

T-12. Cole Hildebrand (Dayton)

PFF Defensive Grade: 81.9

2022 Statistics: 53 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 86.4 coverage grade

14. Sean Williams (Dartmouth)

PFF Defensive Grade: 81.1

2022 Statistics: 34 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 80.2 coverage grade

15. Hugh Ryan (Furman)

PFF Defensive Grade: 80.9

2022 Statistics: 69 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 12 pass breakups, 85.8 coverage grade

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