Photo by Alabama Athletics 

Height	Weight	Arm Length	Hand Size
6'0"	190 lbs.	30 3/4"	9 1/2"

40 Yard Dash	Bench Press	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20 Yard Shuttle
4.58 Sec	N/A	34.5"	10'5"	Value	Value

Games	Tackles	Tackles for Loss	Sacks	Pass defended	Interceptions	Forced Fumbles	Touchdowns
35	172	19.5	4.0	23	3	0.0	0.0

Pros

• Most versatile defender in the draft with snaps all over the Alabama defense from the deep secondary to the edge of defense as a blitzer.

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• Beyond elite football IQ as a defender.

 

• Has the necessary explosiveness and speed to play single high safety effectively.

 

• Hits like a hammer on receivers and ball carriers when he has his shot.

   

• Can come down and play nickel in man coverage with great efficiency.

 

• High football IQ is evident in zone with almost no false steps when patrolling his zip code on defense.

 

• Rare instincts in zone coverage that always keep him in the area the quarterback wants to throw.

 

• Explodes out stance when he sees the football or ball carrier.

 

• Exceptional route recognition at corner and safety positions.

 

• Doesn't fall for misdirection from the offense or quarterback.

 

• Aggressive at the catch point to disrupt incoming passes.

 

• Uses every bit of his length to swat away throws when contesting catches.

 

• Can play press coverage if need be on smaller receivers and potentially dominate.

 

• Elite blitzer when asked to come down from perch with great eyes for trench flow to avoid getting caught in the wash.

 

• Evades blockers well both off the edge and up the middle with tremendous production in the backfield.

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• Highly effective tackler with the necessary speed and agility to quickly corral runners in the open field, no matter how shifty or agile.

 

• Phenomenal form tackler that stuffs ball carriers of similar size with ease.

 

• Attacks the football when making tackles in an effort to strip the football.

 

• Film junky inside and outside of the facility.

   

• Relentless motor on the field that runs hot from start to finish.

 

• Was Alabama head coach Nick Saban's most trusted chess piece on defense.

 

• Elite communicator on the back end of the defense that made sure everyone was on top of their duties.

 

• Tough like a 2x4 beam.

 

• Tremendous character. 

Cons

• Smallish frame for his style of play and position could setup longevity issues in NFL.

• As is always the case with Alabama player, did he benefit from the team or did the team benefit from him?

 

• Can tackle high on occasion, resulting in extra yardage after contact.

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• Could be mismatched against deep threats as he seems to lack the top end speed to keep up.

• Ball production is somewhat lacking for his capabilities.

Overview

The 2023 safety class is one of the more forgotten groups in this draft with player moving up and down boards rather erratically through the league but the clear cut consensus #1 prospect at the position has been Brian Branch out of Alabama as he broke out in 2023 as the 2nd best player on the Crimson Tide defense, behind #1 overall player Will Anderson obviously for those wondering. Branch's film study habits and thirst for knowledge of the game is evident on film and when Nick Saban hands you the defensive responsibility of keeping things in line on the pass defense, you know he's a plug-n-play rookie Week 1 that will contribute quickly. His size is his only real concern for me and adding at least 10+ lbs. to his frame probably would hurt but after that issue people, including myself, are simply nitpicking his game just to fill space. He possesses one of the higher floors in the draft and should be a pro bowl player within his first few years in the league.