The top safety in the Big Ten may even be the best defensive back in the entire country. Here are our Top 5 safeties in the conference heading into the season:
Compared to this time last year, there are not as many names that must be replaced as part of the Big Ten’s top safeties heading into the new season.
The Big Ten has historically been physical, allowing safeties to play downhill and disrupt near the line of scrimmage. However, with the addition of the four Pac-12 schools into the conference at the start of the 2024 season, many offenses had to adapt to account for the deep pass.
Heading into 2025, the safety position could be even more important with the new crop of quarterbacks and offensive schemes that have taken fold. Here are our top-five in the Big Ten heading into 2025.
5. Xavier Nwankpa – Iowa
Iowa has a knack for producing strong secondary talent, and this year’s team should be no different. Nwankpa took the reins in 2024, playing in all 13 games and started in 10. He made 41 tackles and one pass breakup. He did struggle keeping plays in front of him and his angles were questionable at times, earning a 71.0 PFF grade .
However, the potential is there for Nwankpa. As a true sophomore the year before, he was the most valuable safety in the nation according to PFF, while tying for fourth among Power Four safeties with an 88.4 coverage grade . If Nwankpa could harness his skill from 2023 and learn from his mistakes in 2024, he should be one of the best safeties in the conference this year.
4. TJ Metcalf – Michigan
Last year at Arkansas, Metcalf had 57 tackles (tied for fourth on the team), three interceptions (team leader), seven pass deflections (team leader) and one forced fumble (team leader).
Coming to Ann Arbor in 2025, Metcalf should have plenty of opportunities to see the field and continue to grow. With the departures of Makari Paige and Quinten Johnson, Metcalf should slot into the lineup pretty easily, especially given he has flexibility to play the slot.
Metcalf has shown he can thrive in isolated man-to-man, he is a proven tackler and can attack the ball in run support. Michigan fans should be excited for some positive reinforcements in the secondary.
3. Kamari Ramsey – USC
Ramsey switched from UCLA to crosstown rival USC last season, and he continued to progress his game.
As a redshirt sophomore, Ramsey recorded 60 tackles (tied for third on the team), including 5.5 for loss, two sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one interception and one quarterback hurry in 11 games. According to PFF , Ramsey’s 88.1 coverage grade was 12th among Power Four safeties last year after earning a 79.4 overall grade with the Bruins the year before.
If he can continue to be in the right place, his role should only grow (and so will his stock).
2. Dillon Thieneman – Oregon
Thieneman burst onto the scene during his freshman year at Purdue in 2023, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Newcomer of the Year (USA TODAY), and was even a Third-Team All-American (AP). He made 106 tackles, including 74 solo tackles (led all freshmen), six interceptions (third nationally) and four games with double-digit tackles.
That being said, his sophomore season at Purdue wasn’t nearly as good. While he still led all Big Ten defensive backs with 104 tackles, he posted just a 72.4 PFF grade and did not have a single interception. To be fair, the Boilermakers lined him up at free safety far less in 2024, his natural position, so with a change of scenery in 2025, he could get back to his star status.
Transferring to Oregon, Thieneman will have a much better supporting cast around him that will allow him to roam freely in the middle of the field.
1. Caleb Downs – Ohio State
After transferring from Alabama last offseason, Downs has been the most valuable safety in college football over the past two seasons, according to PFF . His 91.7 PFF grade in that span is second among all FBS safeties, while his 91.2 coverage grade is third. Downs is also a fantastic run defender, leading all players on this list with 35 run-defense stops and an 88.5 run-defense grade since 2023.
Last year was a solid one for Downs, racking up 82 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions. This production not only helped his team with a national championship, but he was an unanimous First-Team All-American and won the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award.
Coming back for his junior season, Downs has the versatility to play free safety, in the slot or in the box. Between strong foot work, hard hitting and an eye for the ball, he could end the season as the nation’s top defensive back.