Best Safeties in College Football History
The greatest safeties in college football history were the most diverse players in the sport. They could not only defend big pass plays but also deliver devastating hits on opposing offensive players.
Here is the list of the ten best safeties in college football history. Check out the stats of these great safeties below and see how they became legends.
10 Reggie Nelson: Florida, 2005 to 2006
- Tackles: 97
- Interceptions: 6(All In One Season)
- All-American
- National Champion
Florida great, Reggie Nelson made his mark as one of the best safeties in college football history in just two seasons. After a year in community college, Urban Meyer recruited Nelson, who became the Gator’s top safety.
Reggie earned the nickname, “The Eraser” for his ability to stop opposing offense’s big plays. He record 97 career tackles in college while making six interceptions in his last year of college football.
In Nelson’s final year at Florida, he earned All-American honors en route to the Gator winning the national title.
9 Mark Barron: Alabama, 2008 to 2011
- Tackles: 237
- Interceptions: 12
- Sacks: 5
- 2x National Champion
Mark Barron is one of the best safeties in college football history, who was part of a legendary team. During Barron’s three years at Alabama, he delivered smashing hits and defended numerous pass attempts.
In Barron’s four years at Alabama, he was consistently one of the SEC conference’s top defenders. He recorded 237 tackles, 12 interceptions, and 5 sacks while helping lead the Crimson Tide to two national titles.
Mark’s efforts earned him two All-American honors and an eight-year NFL career from 2012 to 2020.
8 Al Brosky: Illinois, 1950 to 1952
- Interceptions: 29(NCAA Record)
- Averaged 1.1 INTs Per Game
- 15 Consecutive Games With INT(NCAA Record)
- CFB Hall of Famer
Out of all of the best safeties in college football history, Al Borsky was the first great defensive back. Brosky was the definition of a ball hawk, who holds numerous NCAA interception records.
While playing for Illinois from 1950 to 1952, Brosky set the college record for most career interceptions with 29 INTs. Brosky earned an INT in 26 of his 28 college games, which included 15 straight games with a pick(NCAA record).
The CFB Hall of Famer’s interception records have stood for over seventy years and have immortalized the all-time great safety.
7 George Webster: Michigan State: 1964 to 1966
- Multi-Positional
- NCAA All-Century Team
- 2x All-American
- CFB Hall of Famer
George Webster is one of the most diverse players on our list of the best safeties in college football history. Not only was Webster a great safety, but also a good linebacker and cornerback.
The Michigan State great could be a factor in any position he was placed. Webster’s efforts earned him two All-American honors, a place on the All-Century team, and a CFB Hall of Fame induction.
6 Thomas Davis: Georgia, 2002 to 2004
- Tackles: 272
- Sacks: 10.5
- Interceptions: 3
- Forced Fumbles: 6
From 2002 to 2004, Thomas Davis was the most feared defender on the Georgia Bulldog’s defense. Thomas was known for making big plays in crucial moments from delivering big hits to blocking passes.
In Davis’ three years at Georgia, he was the team’s top safety and linebacker. He recorded 272 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and forced three fumbles.
The former All-American’s efforts in college led Davis to a successful 15-year NFL career, where he recorded 1,216 career tackles.
5 Jack Tatum: Ohio State, 1968 to 1970
- Hard-Hitting Style
- 2x All-American
- DPOTY in 1970
- 27-2 College Record
Out of all of the best safeties in college football history, Jack Tatum was the most feared. Tatum waved a path of destruction in his three years at Ohio State.
He smashed opposing Big Ten teams and helped lead the Buckeyes to a 27-2 record during his tenure. After college, the 2x All-American played for the Oakland Raiders and was part of on of the greatest defenses ever.
4 LaRon Landry: LSU, 2003 to 2006
- Tackles: 242
- Sacks: 7
- Interceptions: 9
- All-American
LaRon Landry was one of the best defensive players on an all-time great LSU Tigers team. From 2003 to 2006, Landry helped lead the Tigers to becoming one of college football’s top teams.
During his tenure at LSU, LaRon recorded 242 tackles, 7 sacks, and 9 interceptions in four years of play. He played a huge part in LSU’s national title win and earned All-American honors.
3 Eric Berry: Tennessee, 2007 to 2009
- Tackles: 245
- Interceptions: 14
- 2x Jack Tatum Award Winner
- Jim Thorpe Award Winner
Eric Berry comes in next on our list of the best safeties in college football history. While playing at Tennessee from 2007 to 2009, Berry could change a game at a moment’s notice.
He was known as a dual threat who could deliver hard hits and make a big interception. During his sophomore year, Berry was just 14 yards shy of breaking the yards after an interception record.
Eric finished college with 245 tackles, 14 interceptions, and earned a Jim Thorpe Award, and the Jack Tatum Award twice.
2 Roy Williams: Oklahoma, 1999 to 2001
- Tackles: 287(34 For Losses)
- National Champion
- Jim Thorpe & Bronko Nagurski Award Winner
- CFB Hall of Famer
Nobody delivered punishing hits quite like Oklahoma great Roy Williams. The CFB Hall of Famer was part of the last Oklahoma national championship team in 2000.
Williams was a shutdown defender, who always made a big play for his team. One of his most iconic plays was his hit against Texas QB in 2000 known as “The Superman.”
Along with his national title, Roy went on to win both the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski awards. He then went on to have a long and successful NFL career playing for the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals.
1 Ed Reed: Miami, 1998 to 2001
- Tackles: 288
- Interceptions: 21
- Jim Thorpe & Bronko Nagurski Award Winner
- CFB Hall of Famer
The top choice for the top spot on the best safeties in college football history list was a no-brainer. Ed Reed is arguably the most dominant safety in the history of football.
At Miami, Reed made a name for himself on a great Hurricane team full of stars. He totaled 288 tackles and 21 interceptions in four of the greatest years of the program’s history.
Reed’s play led him to win both the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski Awards. He was also recently inducted into the CFB Hall of Fame to cement his legacy as an all-time great.
