1/22/2017 football Edit

2017 was a banner year for safeties in the Mid-Atlantic

Adam Friedman • Rivals.com

National Recruiting Analyst

Adam Friedman joined Rivals.com as the East Coast Recruiting Analyst in 2012 and covers D1 CFB recruits from SC to Maine & out to PA & WV. Media requests- RivalsFriedman@gmail.com

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Three safeties from the Mid-Atlantic made the final 2017 Rivals100. With that in mind, take a look at who the five highest rated safeties from the Mid-Atlantic are in the last five years.

One of the most polished prospects to come through the Mid-Atlantic in the last decade, Quin Blanding was an instant impact player at Virginia, winning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. In high school, he was a do-everything player and could have excelled as a wide receiver in college as well. Blanding would have been one of the first safeties taken in this year's NFL Draft but he decided to return to Charlottesville for his senior season.

It’s a rarity when a freshman starts the majority of his first year at Alabama, but Minkah Fitzpatrick was sensational in Nick Saban’s defense. He was on multiple Freshman All-American lists and was an All American as a sophomore this season. Playing in one of the country’s toughest conferences in high school, Fitzpatrick was dominant as a defender, playing a variety of positions, which has helped him become Nick Saban’s Swiss army knife on defense.

Devon Hunter, Virginia Tech’s top-ranked commitment in the 2017 class, got onto the scene early, towards the end of his freshman year and going into his sophomore year. He has shown the ability to be a major physical presence in the middle of the field and his instincts are a cut above the rest. Hunter has the physical tools to be a ball hawk in deep center of the field, but isn’t afraid to make a big hit in the box.

Just scratching the surface of his potential, Paris Ford is a true free-safety with sideline-to-sideline range. Never afraid to lay a big hit, Ford should be a major addition for Pittsburgh and will contribute right away. His vocal leadership qualities will help him become a team leader shortly after he steps on campus.

Hamsah Nasirildeen is a big safety prospect with excellent range. He has a frame like a linebacker but plays in space like a safety. Nasirildeen has good ball skills, anticipates throws, and has good timing. A college workout program will do Nasirildeen a lot of good and his physical development should dictate how quickly he sees the field. Nasirildeen has been committed to South Carolina since August but Florida State is pushing for him.