SEC Football: Ranking the SEC Safeties

Every Tuesday, The SEC Blog will rank the top player at each position for each team in the SEC. Today, we rank the best safety at every school in the conference. 

14. Steven Campbell, Texas A&M

Campbell is very talented but has had trouble staying on the field. The rising senior sat out this spring with a foot injury. He had 15 tackles and an interception last season as he battled injuries. Campbell made seven starts in 2010 and finished the season with 33 tackles.

13. Braylon Webb, Missouri

Webb earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors last season as a redshirt freshman, when he notched 36 tackles and forced a fumble. He will be joined in the Missouri defensive backfield at safety by senior Kenronte Walker.

12. Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt

Ladler split time at free safety Javon Marshall, and he's battling Marshall for playing time again in 2012. Ladler finished last season with 53 tackles, one interception and one tackle for loss. Vanderbilt will be looking for stars in the secondary after cornerback Casey Heyward and safety Sean Richardson.

11. Brian Randolph, Tennessee

Randolph finished last season third on the team with 55 tackles as a true freshman. The early work as a freshman should pay dividends in 2012. The 6'0", 190-pound native of Marietta, Ga. will be joined at safety by veteran Brent Brewer, who moved back from linebacker this spring following ACL surgery.

10. Demetruce McNeal, Auburn

McNeal had 74 tackles and two interceptions a year ago, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He split time at strong safety with Ryan Smith, and should be joined at free safety by Erique Florence. At 6'2", 193 pounds, McNeal needs to grow into his frame a bit, and added size has already been a goal for new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder.

9. Eric Bennett, Arkansas

Junior Eric Bennett will return to the Hogs after a stellar 2011 season that saw him tally 74 tackles and pick off three passes. The 6'0", 200-pounder is being counted on to be a leader for Arkansas' rebuilt defense in 2012.

8. Martavius Neloms, Kentucky

Neloms is being counted on to lead a Kentucky defense that has been less than stellar recently. The rising senior had 71 tackles, one interception and one sack a year ago, and was recently named to Phil Steele's fourth-team preseason All-SEC team.

7. Nickoe Whitley, Mississippi State

Whitley is recovering from an Achilles injury, but he managed to pick off four passes in 2011 before missing the final three games. He has a nose for the football and isn't afraid to jump in a help out defending the run.

6. D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina

The 6'0", 210-pound senior is looking to finish off his senior season in style, after finishing last season second on the Gamecocks with 80 tackles and three interceptions. He provides a solid foundation for a Gamecocks defense that is always one of the SEC's best.

5. Charles Sawyer, Ole Miss

Sawyer has bounced between cornerback and safety during his Rebels career. He found a place late in 2011 as a safety—a position where he will call "home" in 2012. He finished last season with 70 tackles and four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

4. Robert Lester, Alabama

Mark Barron got all of the publicity last season, but Lester was no slouch either last season at strong safety for the Crimson Tide. He finished last season with 39 tackles and two interceptions, and earned honorable mention All-American honors by SI.com. He's being counted on to be one of the leaders of the rebuilt Alabama defense.

3. Matt Elam, Florida

With so many good safeties in the SEC, Elam sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. But the rising junior is one of the best safeties not only in the SEC, but in the country. He tallied 78 tackles a year ago and finished as Florida's leader in tackles for loss (11), pass breakups (seven) and forced fumbles (two).

2. Eric Reid, LSU

Reid's resume is stacked after a stellar sophomore season in 2011. He was named as a second-team All-American by Rivals.com and was named to the second-team All-SEC team by the Associated Press.

He finished last season with 55 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

1. Bacarri Rambo, Georgia

Rambo emerged as a star in 2011 for the Georgia defense, tallying 55 tackles and leading the SEC with eight interceptions. He was named as a first-team All-American by several services, including the Associated Press.

He's reportedly facing a four-game suspension for violation of team rules. When on the field, he's the SEC's top safety.

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