The modern safety position demands versatility.
Safeties must be able to cover receivers, defend the run, play in space, communicate assignments, and make plays on the football. The best ones are not limited to a single responsibility. They can move around the defense and contribute wherever the matchup demands.
Jack Hulett fits that mold.
The Christian Brothers Academy standout is a 6-foot, 180-pound 2028 free safety with an athletic profile that immediately catches the eye. He combines speed, lateral movement, stop-start quickness, physicality, and natural ball skills to create a well-rounded defensive prospect.
What makes Hulett particularly intriguing is his background as a receiver. That experience shows up in his ability to track the football, understand the catch point, use his hands, and transition with the ball after an interception.
He is not simply a safety who can cover.
He is a football player who understands how receivers attack defenses.
That gives him a foundation that could eventually make him a highly effective college safety.
A Three-Way Player With Defensive Versatility
Hulett’s versatility is one of the biggest strengths of his evaluation.
He brings value in the run game, pass defense, and special teams, giving him multiple avenues to impact a college program.
At safety, he possesses the range to cover ground while also demonstrating the physicality necessary to come downhill against the run.
His ability to start and stop quickly is especially valuable.
Safeties constantly have to change direction based on what they see from the quarterback and receivers. Hulett’s lateral movement allows him to react quickly without needing excessive time to gather himself.
That athletic foundation gives him the ability to play both near the line of scrimmage and deeper in the secondary.
Receiver Background Creates Natural Ball Skills
One of the most interesting aspects of Hulett’s game is his receiver background.
It is evident when he plays defense.
He tracks the football naturally and demonstrates confidence attacking the catch point. His hands are reliable, and he understands how to position himself when the football is in the air.
That skill set can become a significant advantage at safety.
Defensive backs with receiver experience often understand how receivers see the football, how they attack leverage, and when they are most vulnerable to a defender playing the ball.
Hulett appears to benefit from that perspective.
His ball skills also show up after turnovers. He has the athleticism and coordination to transition quickly from defender to ball carrier, making cuts and using his natural movement ability in space.
Strong Movement Profile
Hulett is a fluid athlete with good speed and lateral movement.
His stop-start ability allows him to react quickly to developing plays, while his straight-line speed gives him the range necessary to close space.
He can:
- Change direction efficiently.
- Close on ball carriers.
- Track receivers.
- React to the football.
- Move laterally across the field.
- Accelerate toward the catch point.
That versatility is particularly valuable at free safety, where defenders frequently have to cover significant amounts of ground.
A Safety Who Embraces Contact
Hulett does not play like a passive deep defender.
He is a contact starter.
When he arrives at the ball carrier, he is willing to initiate the collision rather than waiting for the runner to come to him. That physicality gives him legitimate value against the run.
He is also a fundamentally sound tackler.
While there are moments when he can get too high, his willingness to tackle and his overall technique provide a strong foundation for continued development.
The next step is simply becoming more consistent with his pad level.
As he progresses toward college football, staying low and wrapping through the ball carrier will become increasingly important.
Quick Processing and Football Instincts
Hulett has a natural feel for where the football is going.
He consistently finds the ball and gets himself into position to make plays. His ability to recognize the developing action and react quickly allows his athleticism to become functional rather than simply measurable.
There is a noticeable “right place, right time” quality to his game.
That instinct is difficult to teach.
The next developmental step is learning to diagnose at full speed.
As offenses become more complex, safeties must process formations, route combinations, quarterback intentions, and run concepts simultaneously. Hulett has the foundation, but continuing to speed up his diagnosis will allow him to play even faster.
Strong Run-and-Pass Projection
Hulett’s ability to contribute in both phases is what makes his projection particularly appealing.
Against the pass, he has the movement skills and receiver-derived ball skills to cover ground and compete at the catch point.
Against the run, he has the physicality and tackling mentality to come downhill and finish.
That balance prevents him from becoming a one-dimensional safety.
For a college defensive coordinator, having a safety who can handle multiple assignments creates more flexibility in defensive scheme and personnel.
Strengths
- Versatile safety capable of contributing against both run and pass.
- Strong lateral movement and stop-start quickness.
- Good overall speed and range.
- Natural ball tracking ability.
- Reliable hands developed through receiver experience.
- Strong catch-point awareness.
- Physical, willing tackler.
- Comfortable initiating contact.
- Quick to locate and pursue the football.
- Strong special teams potential.
- High motor and competitive mentality.
- Well-rounded football background.
Areas for Development
Hulett’s first major developmental area is diagnosing plays at full speed.
He sees the game well, but continuing to improve his processing speed will allow him to maximize his athletic ability.
Tackling technique is another area to monitor.
He can occasionally get high when tackling, so consistently lowering his pad level and wrapping through the ball carrier will become increasingly important as he faces bigger and stronger runners.
Finally, adding functional mass should be part of his physical development.
At 180 pounds, Hulett has a solid foundation, but additional strength will help him withstand the physical demands of college football without sacrificing his movement skills.
Special Teams Could Accelerate His Development
Hulett’s special teams experience is another important piece of his evaluation.
Young defensive backs frequently have to earn defensive playing time, and players who can contribute immediately on special teams have a valuable pathway onto the field.
Hulett’s physicality, motor, and willingness to make tackles make him particularly suited for that role.
He brings the mentality of someone who wants to make an impact wherever he is asked to play.
Motor and Competitiveness
Hulett consistently plays with energy.
His motor shows up in his pursuit of the football and willingness to initiate contact. He does not shy away from physical situations, and he consistently competes to finish plays.
That mentality is particularly valuable at safety.
The position requires a defender who is willing to make the tackle when everyone else has been beaten.
Hulett appears comfortable accepting that responsibility.
Overall Evaluation
Jack Hulett is an intriguing 2028 safety prospect with the physical traits, athleticism, ball skills, and competitive mentality to develop into an impactful college defender.
At 6-foot and 180 pounds, he already has a solid physical foundation. His fluid movement, speed, lateral quickness, and stop-start ability allow him to operate effectively in both coverage and run support.
His receiver background may ultimately be one of his greatest advantages.
Hulett tracks the football naturally, possesses reliable hands, understands the catch point, and demonstrates the coordination to make plays with the ball in his hands. Those skills translate naturally to the safety position.
His physicality is equally impressive.
He is willing to initiate contact, tackles with confidence, and consistently gets himself involved in the action.
The primary areas for continued development are diagnosing plays at full speed, maintaining lower tackling leverage, and adding functional mass.
The overall projection is encouraging: Hulett has legitimate FCS starting potential with the upside to develop into a G5 starting free safety.
His versatility and special teams experience could also provide an opportunity for early college playing time.
For programs looking for a young safety who can cover, tackle, play the football, and contribute across multiple phases, Christian Brothers Academy’s Jack Hulett is a prospect worth tracking closely.
Scout: Brandin Luman
Region: New York (Albany)
Evaluation Date: July 4, 2026
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