LSU football safety makes PFF's top 101 players list

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When former Houston safety AJ Haulcy signed with LSU football during last year’s transfer portal window, no one thought it would lead to the caliber of season he had in 2025. Sure, he held a four-star transfer rating and was 247Sports’ No. 3 safety in the class, but Haulcy wasn’t expected to be among the top players in college football this season.

That's exactly where he ended up, however. Haulcy helped lead LSU's defense on an impressive run in 2025, finishing the season with a first-team All-SEC selection.

Haulcy earned further recognition for his impressive 2025 campaign on Wednesday, placing 53rd on Pro Football Focus' ranking of the top 101 players from the 2025 season.

Unfortunately, Haulcy won’t return to Baton Rouge for the 2026 season, declaring for the NFL Draft shortly after the Tigers’ season concluded.

Projections for where he may land in the draft are hard to pin down, given how teams generally hold safeties in lower regard than some other high-profile positions. Looking at NFL Mock Draft database’s 2026 NFL Draft Consensus Board, Haulcy is the 55th-overall player, only three spots ahead of another former Tiger, Garrett Nussmeier.

Haulcy is one of the more under-discussed players in the upcoming draft cycle, but he’ll have the chance to make a name for himself in the upcoming Panini Senior Bowl. There, he’ll compete in several drills against other high-caliber players, then do the same during the bowl game itself.

If Haulcy has the kind of performance in the Senior Bowl that Tiger fans saw on a weekly basis this season, expect to see him rocket up draft boards following the contest.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football safety makes PFF's top 101 players list

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