Football Recruiting Advice for Safeties

Another series of articles that I am going to continue doing is breaking down the recruiting knowledge that I have for different positions in both basketball and football. While some may feel that recruiting is all the same, that is definitely not the case at all. The recruiting process for a quarterback, lineman, linebacker, or kicker is very different. That is why I plan on focusing on a variety of positions to help with basketball recruiting and football recruiting.

When playing the safety position, you need some of the skills that a cornerback would need but not necessarily the athleticism. The safety normally has to be one of the smartest players on the entire defense to be able to help out his teammates when need be. And considering how complex collegiate defensive schemes can get, a safety also has to have a great work ethic to come and watch film often.

One of the big areas that college coaches love to see is a safety who is fearless and can put a big hit on the opposition. This gives the other team a fear factor about catching balls because they know that the safety could be looming to make a huge hit.

Some colleges will move outside linebackers to safety and vice versa. The athleticism that they have shown is something that the coaches want to see in both positions. Colleges will bring in athletes and give them the potential to play either spot, depending on openings or where they best fit in.

Similar to defensive backs, a safety could also see time at wide receiver and be moved back and fourth from offense to defense. They are similar positions because a safety and a wide receiver need to have the attitude that every ball thrown up in the air belongs to them. That can only help you.

As a safety, you must be fast and have the ability to cover ground. While your one on one skills are important, they are not as essential if you were a defensive back. Size wise, I have seen safeties in the 6-foot-2 range. There are others that are taller but if that is the case, the coaches may consider moving you to linebacker. However, that height may be able to actually help you make plays throughout the field if you have the speed and ability needed for that position.

Another area that a safety must be good at is making tackles. Being able to fundamentally tackle the ball carrier or wide out is essential to seeing the field. If a safety cannot do that, it really does not matter much how fast they are. Being able to tackle is a huge role of the safety.

When putting your highlight tape together, I would say that there are four areas that you need to include. It would be any interceptions (That is pretty obvious), video of you covering a lot of ground, video of big hits, and highlights of you making good open field tackles. I would also include footage of your offensive ability just so that the college coaches know that you are a great athlete on both sides of the ball.

During the recruiting process, it is important to also find out more information about how the coaches will be using you in their system. Speak with them about how they think you can personally fit in. Also find out more about how they use their safeties. As always, check the roster and their recruiting to see what other players at this position they are considering bringing in.


Previous recruiting specific articles to look at:

• Football Recruiting Advice for Quarterbacks
• Football Recruiting Advice for Running Backs
• Football Recruiting Advice for Wide Receivers
• Football Recruiting Advice for Tight Ends
• Football Recruiting Advice for Offensive Linemen
• Football Recruiting Advice for Defensive Tackles
• Football Recruiting Advice for Defensive Ends
• Football Recruiting Advice for Linebackers
• Football Recruiting Advice for Defensive Backs
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Point Guards
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Shooting Guards
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Small Forwards
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Power Forwards
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Centers
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Location
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Athletic Facilities
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: The Coaching Staff
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Academics
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Cost
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Weather