The safety roster for the 2025 Shrine Bowl may not generate as much excitement as other positions, but there is a group of prospects eager to demonstrate why they deserve draftable grades from NFL scouts. Who are the top safeties participating in the 2025 Shrine Bowl?
Top Safety Prospects To Watch in the 2025 Shrine Bowl
5) DeShawn Pace, UCF
A hybrid linebacker/safety prospect, DeShawn Pace transferred from Cincinnati Bearcats to the UCF Knights for the 2025 season but wasn’t as effective as he had been for the Bearcats in 2023.
This means he will likely drop down boards to the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, but NFL teams should desire his versatility. The 6’1”, 220-pound corner is a quick-footed, physical corner with elite athletic traits and the range to get sideline-to-sideline. We’ll be interested to see how he performs next to some of the pure safeties at the Shrine Bowl.
4) De’Rickey Wright, Vanderbilt
A sixth-year senior, De’Rickey Wright was a four-star recruit to the Vanderbilt Commodores and has emerged as a reliable, consistent option in the secondary. He won’t be the first name on the lips of NFL scouts at the 2025 Shrine Bowl, but he has traits that will catch the eye of scouts.
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At 6’4” and 229 pounds, Wright has elite length. It allows him to compete at the catch point and also be a secure tackler on the back end. An all-around safety prospect who can equally defend the run and cover pass catchers, Wright is competing to hear his name called in the NFL Draft. A big week in Arlington will only bolster his cause.
3) Shilo Sanders, Colorado
Shilo Sanders will be the headline name among defensive backs at the 2025 Shrine Bowl. Following his brother Shedeur to the all-star game, the Colorado safety wants to create his own path through the NFL Draft.
Sanders is fighting to have his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. He has flashed instinctual anticipation and ball skills but hasn’t got the elite athleticism, size, or nuance to be considered an early selection. At 6’0 and 195 pounds, the Buffaloes DB is undersized and will need to display special teams ability at AT&T Stadium to get his shot in the NFL.
2) Glendon Miller, Maryland
A safety who comes alive in man coverage, Glendon Miller can illustrate why many scouts believe he is currently underrated among NFL Draft fans.
More: Check out our latest 2025 Mock Draft
At 6’2” and 190 pounds, the Maryland Terrapin DB has the ball skills and physicality to be a nickel in the NFL. With seven interceptions in the last two seasons, he could put together highlight-worthy plays that will grab the attention.
1) Craig Woodson, Cal
California Golden Bears safety Craig Woodson tops the safety class at the 2025 Shrine Bowl, but it is a position that lacks talent at the all-star event. Even so, Woodson can be a chess piece at the next level due to his versatility, physicality, and athleticism.
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At 6’0” and 210 pounds, the Golden Bears DB displays fluid movement and range to protect every level of the field. He is aggressive when playing in the box, demonstrating a quick trigger and innate anticipation. Meanwhile, he has smooth hips and body control to track receivers, and he has the ball skills to disrupt the ball in the air.
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