Ranking the Top 12 Defensive Backs in the West > The region's top safeties and cornerbacks playing for the region's football programs in 2025

1. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

The Ducks lost a ton of talent from the back half of the defense last season, and Thieneman is certainly a piece they needed in the transfer portal.

During his freshman season, he was the B1G Freshman of the year and the national defensive freshman of the year with Purdue.

His coverage skills are excellent as evidenced by his six interceptions a season ago. He has the ability to level a big blow as well as help out in stuffing the run.

2. Tacario Davis, CB, Washington

Tacario Davis finally made his way back to Jedd Fisch as he landed at Washington for his senior season.

The second-team all-Big 12 performer from a season ago should be a shutdown corner for the Huskies this fall. In 2023, he ended the season fourth in the nation with 15 passes defended.

The Huskies were second in the nation against the pass last season, and with the addition of Davis, could be even more stout in 2025.

3. Smith Snowden, CB, Utah

Snowden is a burner, and that speed and athleticism make him an elite pass defender.

He tracks the ball well and anticipates routes. A very good tackler, he will be an asset for the Utes against the run as well. He had 10 passes defended last season with a pair of interceptions.

His athletic ability allows him to take chances and make plays even when he may not have the best position.

4. Xavion Alford, S, Arizona State

Last season, Alford allowed just seven receptions, the seventh-fewest in the nation, while playing 354 snaps in pass coverage, the fourth most in the Big 12.

Opponents targeted him on just 4.2% of his coverage snaps. Despite playing like a lockdown corner, he is still a safety and will make plays in the open field.

In 2024, he tallied 85 tackles to rank second on the Sun Devils with just four missed tackles, ranking among the best for FBS safeties in 2024.

5. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC

In Fitzgerald, the Trojans get a hard-hitting safety who can make plays.

During his two-year career at NC State, he tallied five interceptions and 21 total passes defended while also collecting 7.5 tackles for loss.

He will be able to drop into coverage for the Trojans and separate the ball from carriers. He will make defensive plays in the open field.

6. DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado

McKinney was a workhorse for the Buffs in 2024, with his 840 snaps being the most of any defender on the team. This season, he will be tasked with being the top CB after the departure of Heisman winner Travis Hunter.

Last year, with Hunter on the other side, a lot of the action was forced his way, and he delivered with 12 total passes defended; that total was good enough for fourth in the Big 12.

He steps up on the money down as he had four third-down stops last fall.

7. Kamari Ramsey, S, USC

Ramsey was an All-Big Ten honorable mention performer for USC last season; this year, he returns as another talented playmaker with a nose for the football in the back end of the USC defense.

In 2024, he had six passes defended, and his run-stuffing ability is an added bonus.

He gets a good read on the play and is a dangerous tackler in the backfield.

8. Key Lawrence, S, UCLA

Jey Lawrence has had quite the route to UCLA. The Bruins will be the fourth stop on his collegiate journey.

His versatility will be an asset to the UCLA secondary. He should slot into one of the starting safety spots, and he could play corner as well.

He has the size to match up with TEs in the slot and help against the run.

9. Jeremiah Earby, CB, Boise State

Earby seems poised for a breakout senior season with the Broncos, and they might need him to be a playmaker this season.

The senior, who played at Cal for two seasons before transferring to the Broncos in 2024, is a physical CB who should be able to handle coverage on opponents’ top threat each week.

A sure tackler, he will not allow a ton of yards after the catch.

10. Jalen Bainer, CB, San Jose State

The Spartans could be a team that steps up and surprises some opponents this season, and Bainer could be the kind of player who steps up and performs at a high level.

The senior will have a larger role in the defense this season and should see a drastic uptick in production.

Bainer is long and can defend tall wide receivers while being able to get leverage on the line. Plays physically and can help in run support.

11. Jamier Johnson, CB, UCLA

Johnson can perform alone on an island or in zone coverage. He tracks the ball well and has the height to match up on the outside.

The transfer from Indiana started 10 games a season ago but struggled at times in coverage.

The talent is there. Look for a bounce-back season in 2025 for the former four-star recruit with the Bruins.

12. Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington

Prysock was a mainstay in the starting lineup for the Huskies last fall.

At 6-foot-4, Prysock has the size and length to match up with any receiver on the outside.

His production fell off slightly from his sophomore season at Arizona, but teamed up with Tacario Davis on the other side, I expect a huge season from Prysock in 2025.