The countdown to college football season is officially on, and while summer chatter often swirls around playoff expansion and conference realignment, we're keeping our eyes on the players who make the game great. For 2026, the SEC is stacked with elite safety talent, and LSU Wire has taken a deep dive into ranking the top 15 safeties in the conference. Three LSU Tigers made the cut, proving the Bayou Bengals are reloading in the secondary.
In modern football, the safety position is a chameleon—sometimes a deep patrol, sometimes a box enforcer, sometimes a nickelback. How a coordinator deploys his safeties reveals everything about his defensive philosophy. But no matter the role, every player on this list is poised to be an impact defender this fall. Let's break down the rankings.
15. Major Burns, LSU – Burns is a veteran Swiss Army knife for Blake Baker's defense. Entering his fourth year with over 1,400 career snaps, he picked off two passes, made 12 stops, and added two pressures in 2025. He's experienced and versatile, but he still has room to grow—he was responsible for a few blown coverages and allowed 359 yards per PFF. Still, his leadership and snap count make him a valuable piece.
14. Kaleb Cooley, LSU – Cooley posted a 69.7 PFF grade last season, ranking 22nd among qualified SEC safeties. He was a productive force with 25 stops and 10 pressures, emerging as a true freshman at FAU in 2024 before proving himself as a key addition to an SEC defense in 2025. His trajectory is trending up.
13. DaShawn Spears, LSU – If you're measuring impact per snap, Spears was one of the best in the conference last year. Though not a full-time starter, he earned a 90.1 PFF defensive grade—tops among all SEC safeties. He flirted with the transfer portal in January, but LSU's coaching staff made retaining him a priority. Expect his role to expand significantly in 2026.
12. Jardin Williams, LSU – Williams rounded out the Tigers' trio of ranked safeties. While his 2025 season showed flashes of brilliance, he's still developing consistency. With another offseason in the system, he has the tools to climb this list by season's end.
The SEC safety room is deep, physical, and versatile—exactly what you want from the last line of defense. Whether you're a fan of traditional coverage or hybrid playmakers, this group has it all. For LSU fans, the future in the secondary looks bright, with three Tigers ready to make noise in 2026.