There has never been a better time to be an undersized safety than right now. As the sport evolves, a once-held premium on size and strength has shifted towards speed and versatility. Safeties such as Tyrann Mathieu, Budda Baker, Lamarcus Joyner, Damarious Randall, and Vonn Bell have found varying levels of success while measuring in shorter than 6-foot and lighter than 200 pounds. They are the new wave of safety play in the NFL.
Following in their footsteps is Maryland's Darnell Savage Jr.
Savage measured in a hair under 5-foot-11 and 196 pounds at the NFL combine.