PFF ranks Top 10 returning safeties in college football

There is no shortage of elite safety play in college football, with a few of the best players featuring as tandems in the same secondary. And PFF has taken a crack at ranking the Top 10 safeties coming back in college football in 2023.

A pair of ACC schools dominate the list with four safeties between them in the Top 10. The rest of the elite safeties, per PFF, are scattered around a bit more.

Check out the full PFF Top 10 returning safeties for 2023 below.

1. Calen Bullock, USC
2. Kamren Kinchens, Miami
3. Malaki Starks, Georgia
4. James Williams, Miami
5. Rod Moore, Michigan
6. Andrew Mukuba, Clemson
7. Aubrey Burks, West Virginia
8. Demani Richardson, Texas A&M
9. Cole Bishop, Utah
10. RJ Mickens, Clemson

Bullock had elite ball production in 2022, with five interceptions — including a pick six — and three more passes defended. USC’s defense thrived off an eye-watering turnover margin in 2022 and Bullock was a huge source of their takeaways.

Miami, though, has arguably the best safety tandem in the country in Kinchens and Williams. Kinchens had six interceptions and six more passes defended to go with a forced fumble last season. Along with Williams, a 6-foot-5 former Top 25 recruit, the Hurricanes have a daunting pair of deep defenders.

Starks made a splash in his very first game at Georgia with an acrobatic leaping interception in the opener against Oregon. The true freshman became a staple on Georgia’s national championship defense from that point and should only be better in 2023.

Moore was an unheralded three-star signee out of the state of Ohio for Michigan in the 2021 class but has far outplayed his recruiting pedigree. Originally seeing the field as a nickel in 2021, Moore eventually slid to safety and has thrived making plays against the run and in coverage. He had four interceptions and 71 tackles in 14 games in 2022.

Mukuba, along with Mickens, makes Clemson the second ACC team with a pair of elite safeties. Mukuba took some lumps as a freshman in 2021 but grew into a steady presence for Clemson. His ball production is underwhelming, but with 10 passes defended in two seasons, the chance for more turnovers will be present. Mickens, a year older than Mukuba, has a bit of a longer track record. The Tigers have oodles of experience between the two safeties.

Burks thrives when he can get downhill and make plays on ball carriers. As a sophomore in 2022, he had 66 tackles — including 4.5 for a loss — in just 11 games. He had one interception and one forced fumble. An uptick in ball production to go with his nose for the ball and Burks could be a star for the Mountaineers.

Richardson is the next of several great Texas A&M defensive backs. A four-year contributor for the Aggies, Richardson has played in 44 games and has 245 total tackles. His ball production leaves something to be desired, but Richardson is as experienced and capable a college football player as they come.

A three-star recruit from the state of Georgia who ended up at Utah, Bishop has made big contributions for the Utes defense. In 25 games played, Bishop has 137 tackles, 15 tackles for loss — including 4.5 sacks — plus an interception and eight passes defended. More interceptions would be welcomed, but making consistent plays in the opponent’s backfield more than makes up for it.