If you’re like me, you already can’t wait for the college football season to begin, both for the excitement of the competition and the precursor it is to the 2017 NFL draft. I’ve already begun looking ahead at some of the premier prospects for next year, and the draft-eligible safety group looks like it has a ton of early round-caliber talent.

These players are NOT ranked at this time. My first positional rankings will be released before the beginning of the college football season. Right now I simply chose to write about a handful of safeties that intrigue me, and included several other names I’ll be watching this summer as well.

2017 NFL Draft Watch List

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Offensive Tackles
Interior Offensive Linemen
Interior Defensive Linemen
Edge Defenders
Linebackers

Eddie Jackson, Alabama – Senior

After struggling at cornerback during his first two years at Alabama, Jackson made the move to safety one year ago, excelling in his new role this past season. Jackson has tremendous size and range for the position, but showed excellent cerebral processing to consistently keep the back end covered last year. His ball skills (six interceptions) and run support prowess make him an impact player all over the field, one that likely would have been a top-20 pick in this year’s draft if Jackson had declared early.

Jamal Adams, LSU – Junior

Technically Adams only started two games as a freshman, but he was the first defender off the bench in nickel, managing to rack up 66 tackles and five passes defensed in 13 contests. His sophomore year showed exceptional growth, as Adams started all 12 games and notched 67 stops, six passes defensed and four interceptions on his way to second team All-SEC honors. A hard hitter who won’t hesitate to come downhill against the run, and has the quickness to matchup against bigger receivers in man coverage, Adams could project to a Kam Chancellor-like role in the NFL with a strong junior season.

Jabrill Peppers, Michigan – RS Sophomore

A safety/cornerback hybrid who was one of the top recruits in the nation in 2014, Peppers was splendid during his redshirt freshman season, playing roles on both offense, defense and special teams. Peppers is reportedly bulking up from his current listed size of 6-1, 208 pounds to move to a linebacker/safety hybrid role, but with his athleticism, the NFL may want him in more of a traditional safety spot, or even to develop at corner. Regardless of the position, Peppers is a game changer that could declare as a redshirt sophomore if he manages a dominant 2016 campaign.

Tony Conner, Mississippi – Senior

Conner lost most of his junior season with a torn meniscus, after the big safety had started all but one contest during his two previous years at Ole Miss. Another heralded five-star recruit with ideal size and physicality, Conner’s frame (6-0, 215) will have teams interested in playing him close to the line of scrimmage, where he seems to perform at his best in the Rebels’ defense. Conner is a smart and highly competitive player, but will need to prove he has the athleticism and ball skills to be an impact presence in coverage.

Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville – RS Senior

Few safeties in the draft possess the natural talent and tools that JHC offers in abundance at 6-5, 210 pounds, but the former Georgia Bulldog has struggled to put it all together consistently in college. Too many missed tackles and opportunities have been left on the field by Harvey-Clemons, who sat out the 2014 season due to transfer rules. Another year in Louisville’s defense could be vital for JHC, but off-the-field concerns (suspended twice at Georgia) and effort issues will need to be non-factors heading into the 2017 draft.

Marcus Maye, Florida – RS Senior

Johnathan Ford, Auburn – Senior

Max Redfield, Notre Dame – Senior

Randall Goforth, UCLA – RS Senior

Orion Stewart, Baylor – RS Senior

Quin Blanding, Virginia – Junior

Ahmad Thomas, Oklahoma – Senior

Budda Baker, Washington – Junior

Leon McQuay, USC – Senior

Nate Andrews, Florida State – Senior

Paul Magloire, Arizona – RS Senior

Evan Berry, Tennessee – Junior

Dominick Sanders, Georgia – Junior

Steven Parker, Oklahoma – Junior

Donnie Miles, UNC – RS Junior

Anthony Smithson, Kansas – RS Senior

Jordan Sterns, Oklahoma State – Senior

Weston Steelhammer, Air Force – Senior

Ryan Janvion, Wake Forest – RS Senior

Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech – Senior

Rickey Jefferson, LSU – Senior