Ranking the Big Ten: Safety

As the 2025 college football season quickly approaches, it’s time to look at the top players at each position in the Big Ten.

We continue our annual Ranking the Big Ten series today with the safeties. The conference returns three of the nation’s top players at the position.

Previous Ranking the Big Tens: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | OLB | DT | ILB | CB

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1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Not only does he top this list, but Downs may be the best defensive player in all of college football.

The junior enters 2025 as a frontrunner for a bevy of national awards and is projected as a surefire top-10 pick in next year’s NFL draft. PFF rates Downs as their No. 1 overall draft prospect for 2026.

In his first year at Ohio State after transferring from Alabama, Downs racked up 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and six pass breakups on his way to unanimous First-Team All-American honors. He also returned six punts and cashed one in for a 79-yard touchdown.

The 6-foot, 205-pounder won the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2024. He was targeted 32 times last season, only allowing a 62.5% reception percentage and 188 yards.

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2. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Oregon makes another appearance in these rankings with a superstar transfer addition. The Ducks brought in former FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year Dillon Thieneman from Purdue to further bolster their secondary.

The 6-foot, 207-pounder burst onto the scene in 2023. He snagged six interceptions, good for third-most nationally, and ranked fifth in the Big Ten for total tackles. Thieneman didn’t see the same production as a sophomore but played alongside one of the worst defenses in the country. In Eugene, he won’t have to single-handedly carry the unit on his back.

Thieneman’s 89.4 PFF grade since 2023 is fourth among returning FBS safeties, and he has multiple 80.0-plus grades in coverage and run defense over that span. In 791 snaps last season, Thieneman was targeted 27 times and allowed a 77.8% reception percentage for 263 yards. He battled tackling shortcomings at times, with 15 missed tackles on the year, but a change of scenery should help the junior return to his 2023 output.

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3. Koi Perich, Minnesota

Continuing the theme of dominant rookie campaigns, Perich instantly made a name for himself in 2024.

The former four-star recruit earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors as a freshman and was the highest-graded safety in the nation according to PFF. As the No. 1 prospect out of Minnesota, Perich lived up to lofty expectations.

He led the Big Ten with five interceptions including the game-sealing pick in a win over No. 11 USC and two against UCLA. At six-foot-one and 200 pounds, Perich is a freakishly athletic ball-hawk who racked up eight pass breakups in 2024. He didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage and only gave up 86 yards and a 55.6% reception percentage.

Perich also played on offense and special teams last year. He earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors while averaging 9.4 yards per punt return. His role will likely expand next season after sporting a dual practice jersey this spring.

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4. Rod Moore, Michigan

Downs, Thieneiman and Perich are arguably the best three safeties in the country. After a considerable drop-off, Moore takes the No. 4 spot.

The fifth-year senior returns after missing the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL. Moore was an All-Big Ten selection in 2022 and 2023 but has not played since Michigan’s National Championship game victory. He didn’t participate in spring practice, but the coaching staff is confident in his outlook for the fall.

Moore is the No. 10 safety prospect in the 2026 draft according to PFF. During his last two years on the field, the 6-foot, 198-pounder racked up gaudy numbers, including 89 tackles and six interceptions.

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5. DeShon Singleton, Nebraska

Thanks to the NCAA’s JUCO eligibility waiver, Singleton returns for his fifth year of college football to provide vital cohesion in the Husker secondary. He started all 13 games in 2024, playing more snaps (704) than all of Nebraska’s defensive backs not named Isaac Gifford.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder bounced back from a season-ending injury to post the best year of his career. He recorded the second-most tackles on the team (71), three pass breakups and an interception.

Singleton’s PFF grade was only 68.6 in 2024 but he was one of the best run defenders on the team and the most consistent tackler in the secondary. He was targeted 21 times in coverage, allowing a 71.4% reception percentage and 180 yards.

Alongside fellow veterans Marques Buford Jr., Malcolm Hartzog and Ceyair Wright, Nebraska’s defensive backs room returns over 5,000 career snaps. Idaho transfer Andrew Marshall also brings 1,000 snaps of experience to Lincoln. New DBs coach Addison Williams will have a bevy of veteran options to work with.

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