College Football Week 4: Safeties to Watch

Greetings Faithful! Welcome to week 4 of the college football season. This week will deliver us some juicy matchups that include a top ten showdown between #7 Notre Dame visiting #3 Georgia. #13 Wisconsin hosts #11 Michigan, while #8 Auburn visits #17 Texas A&M. With USC upsetting #10 Utah 30-23 last night, will today deliver any more upsets?

Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

This week our focus turns to the safety position. Currently, the San Francisco 49ers deploy Tarvarius Moore, Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward, and Antone Exum Jr. The question is, will the 49ers be looking to invest in the position in 2020? Is there a safety that could be a nice addition to this improving secondary and take it to another level? Let’s take a closer look at a few safeties to keep close tabs on throughout the college football season.

Who are YOU excited to see in action this week? Should the 49ers consider drafting a safety in 2020? Please share in the comments below!

Grant Delpit – S - #7 – Junior - LSU
6’3” – 208 lbs.
#4 LSU at Vanderbilt – Kickoff 9:00 a.m. (PT) – Saturday, September 21 – SEC Network

The tall, lengthy, and physical safety fits the mold in what the 49ers seek in their secondary. The junior had a very productive 2018 recording 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, nine passes batted, and five interceptions. In other words, he has shut down his opposition more often than not. Delpit has a superb football IQ and excellent instincts and anticipation for where the play is going to occur. For his size, Delpit has excellent straight-line speed and has the ability to track down and keep up with the speediest receivers at all three levels on the field. He will run fluidity through his hips, with natural strides. Is not afraid to fight for contested jump balls with receivers in one to one opportunities. His combination and blend of size and speed top off his elite playmaking abilities. As of this early season writing, Delpit is looking like a first-round lock.

Isaiah Simmons – Safety - # 11 – RS Junior - Clemson
Height: 6’3” – Weight 230 lbs.
Charlotte at #1 Clemson - 4:30 p.m. (PT), Saturday, September 21 - ACC Network

You can make an argument that early in the 2019 season Isaiah Simmons has been the MVP of the Clemson Tigers football team. In 2018 Simmons recorded 89 tackles, six passes broken up, three forced fumbles, and one interception. A dual-threat safety who has is a physical presence on the field, especially against the run. Simmons makes his presence known inside the box. Simmons can fly around the field and plays a physical brand of football often setting the tone for his teammates on the defensive side of the ball. He finishes his tackles cleanly, with brute force. Simmons has the physical traits that scouts and evaluators seek for the next level. Simmons has great speed for his size and has the natural frame, instincts, and abilities of a strong safety. Simmons is looking like a back-end first-round talent in 2020.

Kyle Dugger – Safety - #2 – Safety – Lenoir-Rhyne
Height: 6’2” – Weight 215 lbs.
Newberry at Lenoir Rhyne – 3:00 p.m. (PT), Saturday, September 21 – Radio WSVM

Now, here’s a prospect you probably never heard of. Kyle Dugger is a name you should get to know. The small school prospect has the physical features and frame that evaluators seek at the pro level. In 2018 Dugger recorded 76 tackles, 13 passes defended, and three interceptions. Dugger was named on the NFL’s preseason watch list, and he is an exciting prospect to watch. Don’t let his small school presence fool or scare you. Dugger plays a physical brand of football, and has a natural blend of size and speed for the position. Will get physical inside the box against ball carriers, and will cover a lot of field against the pass. Has demonstrated his ability to defend at all three levels on the field. If the 49ers are thinking of adding a safety at the beginning of day 3, Dugger could be the next sneaky small-school defender who can make a presence at the next level. At the moment Dugger’s draft stock is between the fourth and fifth rounds.

Top 25 Schedule – Week 4

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Clemson vs Charlotte – 4:30 p.m. – ACC Network

#2 Alabama vs Southern Miss – 9:00 a.m. – ESPN2

#3 Georgia vs #7 Notre Dame – 5:00 p.m. – CBS

#4 LSU at Vanderbilt – 9:00 a.m. – SEC Network

#5 Oklahoma - BYE WEEK

#6 Ohio State vs Miami (OH) – 12:30 p.m. – Big Ten Network

#7 Notre Dame at Georgia – 5:00 p.m. – CBS

#8 Auburn at #17 Texas A&M – 12:30 p.m. – CBS

#9 Florida vs Tennessee – 9:00 a.m. – ESPN

#10 Utah lost to USC 30-23

#11 Michigan at #13 Wisconsin – 9:00 a.m. – FOX

#12 Texas vs Oklahoma State – 4:30 p.m. – ABC

#13 Wisconsin vs #11 Michigan – 9:00 a.m. – FOX

#14 Penn State – BYE WEEK

#15 UCF at Pittsburgh – 12:30 p.m. – ESPN2, ABC

#16 Oregon at Stanford – 4:00 p.m. – ESPN

#17 Texas A&M vs #* Auburn – 12:30 p.m. – CBS

#18 Iowa – BYE WEEK

#19 Washington State vs UCLA – 7:30 p.m. – ESPN

#20 Boise State defeats Air Force 30-19

#21 Virginia vs Old Dominion – 4:00 p.m. – ESPN2

#22 Washington at BYU – 12:30 p.m. – ESPN2, ABC

#23 California at Ole Miss – 9:00 a.m. – ESPNU

#24 Arizona State vs Colorado – 7:00 p.m. – PAC12 Network

#25 TCU vs SMU – 12:30 p.m. – FS1