In the modern era of football, the safety position is one of the most versatile on the field. Players can be stuffing the run in the box, flying off the edge as a blitzer, manning up a slot receiver, or covering a deep third/half on any given play.
The players at the top of this 2024 AAC Safety Rankings list do just that.
AAC 2024 Safety Rankings
10) Chris Bracy, UAB Blazers
No. 10 should be Chris Bracy’s floor for these rankings. He saw limited snaps in 11 games as a true freshman but made them count, registering 17 tackles and a 58-yard interception. Bracy is a reliable tackler with an innate feel against the run, but we’ll need to see how he performs as a starter to rank him any higher.
9) Plae Wyatt, Rice Owls
A true Swiss Army knife, Plae Wyatt lined up anywhere from the defensive line to deep safety in his first year as a starter.
Typically, it’s difficult to produce when you’re traveling all over the field, but clearly, Wyatt didn’t get that message, as he racked up 81 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, six pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. With a year of significant experience under his belt, there’s every reason to believe Wyatt will only improve in 2024.
8) Kourtlan Marsh, Memphis Tigers
Coming from FCS-level Samford, most college football fans don’t recognize Kourtlan Marsh’s name, so let me introduce you. Marsh played cornerback and quarterback in high school, and he was quite prolific on the offensive side of the ball, totaling 5,461 passing yards, 2,573 rushing yards, and a combined 95 TDs.
Unfortunately, the Alabama native fell under the FBS radar, turning his attention to the FCS. Marsh spent four years with the Bulldogs, but it wasn’t until the last two that he started. Since 2022, he has accumulated 101 tackles, two INTs, 19 PBUs, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. He spends most of his time in the box or the slot, where his sure tackling and ability in run defense shine.
7) Max DiDomenico, Army Black Knights
Like Marsh, Max DiDomenico was a star QB in high school but was listed as an athlete as a recruit. He ultimately landed with Army, where he has spent the last three years. It wasn’t until 2023 that he earned a starting role, but once he did, he didn’t look back.
DiDomenico has the closing speed to disrupt longer throws and crack down on the quick game. Splitting his time between the box and deep safety has allowed him to showcase his physicality at the second level and his instincts downfield.
6) Isheem Young, North Texas Mean Green
Joining a defense allowing 37.1 points per game, Isheem Young brings valuable experience to a North Texas secondary that struggled mightily last season. A former Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year at Iowa State, Young’s deep safety skills will be crucial for the Mean Green.
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His familiarity with the 3-3-5 scheme has already made an impression on North Texas head coach Eric Morris, who praised Young during the spring: “You can tell Isheem has played in this defense. He’s been faster than anybody we have and is calling out checks that we haven’t even put in yet because he understands this defense. It will be very valuable for us to have his experience in this system.”
Young produced 106 tackles in two seasons at Iowa State and started nine games at Ole Miss before falling out of favor with the program, prompting his transfer. Now, he is expected to anchor a revamped UNT defense in 2024.
5) Al-Ma’Hi Ali, Charlotte 49ers
After a standout season at Saint Francis in 2022 — where he recorded 38 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two interceptions, five PBUs, and two blocked kicks — Al-Ma’Hi Ali transferred to Charlotte and showcased his adaptability by playing both cornerback and safety.
In six games with the 49ers (the first four at outside CB and the last two at safety), he registered 22 tackles, two PBUs, and a forced fumble. Ali’s knack for getting his hands on the ball is a much-needed dimension in Charlotte’s defensive back room, and a full season in the deep third should result in all-conference honors.
4) Ken Robinson, UTSA Roadrunners
As a sixth-year senior, Ken Robinson has logged significant snaps over the past four seasons. Initially serving as an outside CB before transitioning to safety over the last two years, his growth as a run defender and tackler between 2022 and 2023 has been particularly impressive, as he has become increasingly comfortable in his role.
Robinson’s versatility and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game provide a steadying presence for the Roadrunners’ defense, making him one of the top safeties to watch in the conference.
3) Gabriel Taylor, Rice Owls
Gabriel Taylor returns for his fourth year as a starter for Rice, bringing both experience and playmaking ability to the Owls’ secondary. A 2023 All-AAC Honorable Mention and member of the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award watch list, Taylor has been the epitome of consistency, surpassing 55 tackles in each of the last three years.
Transitioning from primarily playing in the slot to a full-time deep safety role, he has become the Owls’ active leader with seven career INTs. While his shorter arms can occasionally cause issues when trying to wrap up, Taylor’s ball skills make him one of the premier safeties in the AAC.
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2) Phillip Dunnam, FAU Owls
There are quite a few veterans on this list, but Phillip Dunnam goes against the grain. He started as a redshirt freshman at Indiana last year, filling the stat sheet with 53 tackles, three INTs, and six more PBUs.
At 6’1″ and 190 pounds, Dunnam has the size and speed to make opposing QBs pay over the middle and on the boundaries. Coming from Big Ten competition, expect Dunnam to eat in the AAC.
1) Rayuan Lane III, Navy Midshipmen
With 30 consecutive starts under his belt, Rayuan Lane III is a cornerstone of Navy’s defense. As a versatile safety, his ability to play effectively in the box, slot, and center field has been crucial for the Midshipmen.
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In 2023, he finished third on the team with 66 tackles, tied for first with four INTs, and led the team with eight PBUs. His contributions also included three TFLs, half of a sack, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery, which resulted in a third-team All-AAC selection.
The hype is greater than ever, as Lane landed on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list. Entering his fourth and final collegiate season, it’s likely Lane saved his best for last.
2024 AAC Safety Rankings | 11-20
11) Elliott Davison, UTSA
12) Jaelen Stokes, Caqavouis Berryhill, and D’Marco Augustin, USF
13) Greg Rubin, Memphis
14) Ray Thornton III, UAB
15) Bailey Despanie and Jalen Geiger, Tulane
16) Eltayeb Bushra, Charlotte
17) Jayden Hill, North Texas
18) Mbiti Williams Jr., Navy
19) Wendol Philord, FAU
20) Andreas Keaton, Temple
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