NFL Draft watch: Safety
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Ranking: Thompson, from Lancaster (Calif.) Paraclete, was a three-star prospect
in the 2011 class.
Recruiting: Thompson committed to Boise State in November of his senior season.
Overview: Thompson led the Broncos with six tackles, an interception and two
pass deflections in Boise State's 55-0 win over Hawaii last weekend. He is tied
for the team led with 25 tackles (1.5 for loss) with three picks.
Farrell's take: Boise got a steal here as they were really the only team
interested and he showed some of the ball skills that makes him special at the
college level back then. He had good size, but also wasn't fluid in coverage all
the time and he has refined those skills greatly. You have to love kids who like
to come up and tackle and have hands like a wideout to run your defense.
3
Ranking: The four-star prospect from Batesville (Miss.) South Panola was rated
as the No. 11 safety and No. 86 overall in the 2013 class. He was the
second-best prospect in the Mississippi state rankings behind five-star
defensive lineman Chris Jones.
Recruiting: Alabama made Conner a top priority leading up to National Signing
Day but Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze consistently and aggressively recruited
Conner since the day Freeze took the job. That was big, as Conner picked the
Rebels over Alabama, Mississippi State, Auburn and others on Signing Day.
Overview: Conner is expected to miss at least four weeks with a knee injury he
sustained in Ole Miss' victory over Alabama. In three games this season, Conner
had 10 tackles, 1.5 for loss.
Farrell's take: Nick Saban wanted Conner as much as any defensive back since he
arrived at Alabama, according to a good source and you can see why. Conner was
scheme versatile in a big way and could have projected as a safety, big corner
or linebacker coming out and loved to hit. He's huge for the Land Shark defense
at Ole Miss with his leadership skills and the quiet impact he makes back there
cutting off routes and providing help.
4
Ranking: A five-star safety out of Rossville (Ga.) Ridgeland, Bell was rated
fourth at his position and No. 32 overall in the 2013 class. Bell was also
fourth in the Georgia state rankings.
Recruiting: Bell waited until National Signing Day to commit and he picked the
Buckeyes over Tennessee and Alabama. The five-star took an official visit to
Ohio State and then Alabama and Tennessee -- not a great sign for the Buckeyes
-- but he decided on the Big Ten school in the end.
Overview: In a 34-27 win over Indiana last weekend, Bell finished with six
tackles and a pass deflection. Bell is fifth on the Buckeyes with 27 tackles,
one interception and seven pass breakups. He also has one fumble recovery.
Farrell's take: Bell is rising on this list because he's a great athlete who
arrives and closes on the ball quickly and that's what we saw out of him as a
five-star in that loaded defensive back class of 2013. He covered a ton of
ground in high school and had corner skills, so his emergence has not be a
surprise.
5
Ranking: The Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes recruit was a five-star and the second-best
athlete in the 2012 class. Harvey-Clemons was No. 31 overall and tops in the
Georgia state rankings.
Recruiting: Harvey-Clemons committed to Georgia over Florida,
Florida State and
Miami but there was about a one-day delay on him actually faxing the paperwork
to Athens. There was apparently a disagreement amongst family members on where
he should attend college -- some preferred Florida since it was closer -- but
after some drama, Harvey-Clemons finalized it with the Bulldogs.
Overview: Harvey-Clemons, who finished with four tackles in Louisville's win
over N.C. State last weekend, is third on the Cardinals with 42 tackles and he
also has two interceptions so far this season.
Farrell's take: The Freak Factor is in full effect for the former five-star who
we felt might grow into a linebacker with his broad shoulders and great frame.
What do you call a 6-foot-5, 230-pound safety with ball skills and incredible
tackling ability? I think you might call him a first-rounder after the combine
and Pro Day.
Two to watch
Overview: Andrews only has eight tackles and one pass deflection in four games
so far this season. The Seminoles are holding opponents to just 11.5 points per
outing and no team has scored more than 16 points against FSU yet. As for Kearse (above),
he finished with six tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in Clemson's
win over Notre Dame last weekend. On the season, Kearse also has 17 tackles and
an interception.
Farrell's take: A three-star out of high school in Florida, Andrews was an
athlete for us we could see playing offense or defense and has outplayed
expectations as a smart leader. As for Kearse, he is very similar to
Harvey-Clemons and that's one reason to like him so much. The freak factor is
very high. He's a 6-foot-5 safety and that's extremely rare.
Adam Gorney
National Recruiting Analyst
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