Nigel Warrior Releases Top 10: Which School Is Best Fit for 4-Star DB?

After a standout performance at The Opening earlier this month, 4-star safety Nigel Warrior proved why he’s one of the nation’s premier defensive backs in the 2016 cycle.

While a host of top programs are coming after him, Warrior announced on Tuesday via Twitter he has cut his list to a lucky group of 10 schools.

Warrior, whose father is former Tennessee and NFL defensive back Dale Carter, has the Volunteers among his final group.

Also among the schools in the running for the 5’11”, 188-pounder are Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oregon. 

But which program provides him with the best fit at the next level?

Warrior flashed his range and ball-hawking ability at The Opening—which revealed his propensity for being a center fielder in the secondary.

Many schools could use a player with those capabilities, including a handful of programs found in Warrior’s current top 10.

The in-state Georgia Bulldogs have a defensive coordinator in Jeremy Pruitt who has a lengthy history in developing standout defensive backs dating back to previous stops at Alabama and Florida State.

In fact, the Bulldogs are pitching the nation’s No. 4 safety on being a perfect fit for what they are looking for at the position, as detailed by Kipp Adams of Dawgs247.

"Georgia actually tells me they really need a safety like me, and they let me know how being a safety would be a great thing," Warrior told Adams. "They need immediate help on defense."

Another place where Warrior could make an impact would be Ohio State. The last time Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer went into the Peach State to pluck an elite safety he ended up landing 5-star Vonn Bell, who led the Buckeyes with six interceptions last season.

Besides possessing similar measurables to Bell, Warrior also has a game that resembles the current Buckeyes standout.

If Bell decides to test the NFL draft waters following the upcoming season, Warrior could be a fitting candidate to replace him should he opt to head to Columbus.

As an added bonus, the Buckeyes did not take a safety in their 2015 class and have yet to land a pledge from a prospect at that position in the current cycle.

Alabama’s Kirby Smart and Auburn’s Will Muschamp are also two gifted defensive minds who have had success in developing standout safeties throughout their careers.

As noted by Ourlads, the Tide have a pair of upperclassmen in junior Eddie Jackson and senior Geno Smith slated to start this season—which could help Warrior find the field early if he signs with Alabama.

Meanwhile, similar to when Pruitt took over at Georgia last year, Muschamp is hoping to revitalize the Tigers defense—with overhauling the secondary among his chief priorities. Adding a piece such as Warrior would be a huge boost to a unit that has struggled mightily in recent years.

Finally, the Volunteers are on the rise under third-year head coach Butch Jones. With senior starters LaDarrell McNeil and Brian Randolph set to exhaust their eligibility after this season, the Vols could also present Warrior with an opportunity to get on the field early.

The Vols had a loaded defensive class in 2015, but it only featured one safety in 3-star Stephen Griffin. Considering that Warrior is a legacy recruit who could fill a primary need, he fits the bill as a priority recruit for Jones and his staff in the months leading up to national signing day.

Warrior is a versatile player who could fit in well at any one of his finalists. But when you factor in his ties to the Volunteers and their need at the safety position, Tennessee gets the slight nod as presenting him with the best opportunity to flourish at the next level.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani