Chace Calicut

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-3, 190 lbs. Taller than 91% and heavier than 62% of 2026 Safety prospects in the SEC Scouts database (200 with a listed size).

Play Style

On junior film he is an aggressive, forward-moving defender who looks most natural reading run/pass from the box or as a robber, then using his length to close and finish. In coverage he wins with size and reach at the catch point rather than pure short-area quickness. Reps in zone looks, matched against tight ends and bigger receivers, show him at his best. He is physical and willing in run support and projects as a hybrid who can rotate down late or play split-field safety.

Strengths

• Length and catch-point disruption: at nearly 6-3 with long arms, he shrinks throwing windows on seams and back-shoulder throws and can play through receivers' hands, the trait that made him a four-star at a Houston 6A power
• Downhill run defense: he plays best inside the box and triggering forward (SI's commitment writeup: he 'thrives playing inside the box and running downhill'), and he fits as an alley player and force defender
• Positional versatility: evaluated at corner, safety and potential linebacker; Georgia recruited him at CB and Georgia Southern plans him at S, which gives a staff multiple ways to use him
• Pedigree of competition: produced at North Shore in the Houston 6A landscape and earned 34 offers from national programs before his senior year

Areas to Improve

• Missed development year: he played no senior football in 2025, so tackling angles, eye discipline and play recognition are about 18 months removed from live game reps and need rebuilding through fall camp
• Man-coverage transition speed: for a long-limbed DB, opening his hips and staying on top of sudden slot receivers is the question, which is part of why most evaluators project him to safety over corner
• Adding functional strength: 190-195 pounds is light for the box-safety/star role his game points toward; he needs 10-15 pounds without losing range
• Off-field reset: the charge was dismissed but the DA noted it could be refiled; a clean, stable first year matters for his trajectory and any future transfer or NFL evaluation

College Projection

At Georgia Southern (Sun Belt) his path to the field is much shorter than it would have been in Georgia's secondary. Safeties coach Prather Hudson was on Georgia's staff when UGA recruited him and knows the profile. Expect special-teams work and rotational safety/star snaps as a true freshman in 2026 while he regains game rhythm. He should compete for a starting safety role by 2027. If the tools hold up he is a realistic all-conference Sun Belt safety, and a strong candidate to be pursued by Power-4 programs through the portal.

NFL Outlook

A four-star with his length and versatility carries draft-relevant traits: big safeties and big nickels with 6-3 frames get looks from NFL teams on measurables alone. His outlook now depends on on-field production to offset the missed senior year and a Group of 5 platform. A realistic ceiling is a Day 3 pick as a box/big-nickel safety with special-teams value, with a higher outcome if he tests well at the combine and dominates Sun Belt competition.

Best Fit

A multiple quarters/split-safety defense that uses a big, interchangeable safety who can roll down into the box, carry tight ends and play the alley, with room to grow into a star/big-nickel or hybrid LB role. Georgia Southern under Clay Helton, with Hudson coaching safeties and Donte Williams coaching corners, fits: familiar staff, a safety-first plan and early playing time.