Hard hitting safeties are some of the best players on the field, not to mention some of the most fun to watch. Safeties who can tackle and have great ball skills go on to play in the NFL a long time.

Here are the SEC’s top incoming freshmen safeties for 2015:

Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to ratings follow the 247Sports.com composite rankings.

1. Deionte Thompson, Alabama (Orange, TX)
The Skinny: Alabama needs defensive backs, and Deionte Thompson is already enrolled. Assuming Thompson picks up on things during spring practice, he could make an impact in 2015. Thompson reminds me more of HaHa Clinton-Dix than he does of Landon Collins, and Thompson may have better ball skills than either player. That’s huge, because the Crimson Tide have lacked big-time defensive backs with elite ball skills over the last several years.

2. Jamal Peters, Mississippi State (Bassfield, MS)
The Skinny: Assuming Jamal Peters qualifies, he could make an impact immediately. He is one of the top overall athletes in the recruiting class, and one of the biggest things that jumps out is his tackling ability. Peters is more like a linebacker playing safety, but he has very good ball skills.

3. Rashad Roundtree, Georgia (Evans, GA)
The Skinny: Georgia needs impact defensive backs in the worst way, and Rashad Roundtree will get his chance to make an instant impact in 2015. Roundtree is a nice looking prospect who can help the Bulldogs on the backend of their defense immediately. He’ll put on about 10-15 pounds in the next couple of seasons, and he’ll fill out his 6-1 frame nicely.

4. Justin Dunning, Texas A&M (Whitehouse, TX)
The Skinny: The Aggies just need help, period, on defense, and Justin Dunning will be able to help in the secondary. Dunning is the 6-4 prototypical safety coaches dream about, and he’ll be a major factor in the future of John Chavis’ defense.

5. Larry Pryor, Texas A&M (Sulphur Springs, TX)
The Skinny: The second safety in the top five for the Aggies, Larry Pryor is the less likely of the two to make an instant splash. Pryor made an early decision and never wavered. Pryor and Dunning are the future of the secondary, and both have to be excited to play in Chavis’ proven system.

SEC’s top five signees by position breakdown: