Makari Paige Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports)
School: Michigan
Class: Redshirt Senior
Position: SAF
HT: 6’4
WT: 208 lbs
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Background: Makari Paige is a homegrown talent out of West Bloomfield, Michigan. Paige was a 4-star safety for West Bloomfield High School. He was a top 5 player in Michigan and top 20 safety nationally for the class of 2020. Paige earned first team all-state honors as a senior and Detroit News Dream Team selection. Makari committed to Michigan over the likes of Ohio State, Penn State, and Kentucky.
College: After spending his first two seasons as primarily a special teams player, Paige became the starting safety for Michigan in 2022. After getting 41 tackles and 3 pass breakups, Paige was an All-Big 10 honorable mention in 2022. 2023 was extremely similar, Paige made 41 tackles for 2 pass breakups on the way to a national championship. As a grad student in 2024, Paige snagged two interceptions while making 45 tackles.
Strengths: Makari Paige is a versatile safety who can be seen playing all over the field for Michigan. He can be deployed as a nickel to cover tight ends and slot receivers while also being able to play deep safety. In coverage, Paige has fluid hips to flip from his backpedal and change directions. He has rare coverage skills for a safety and can be utilized in a variety of ways in pass coverage. He had the most success at Michigan in a split safety defense, where he can be moved around. However, he does well as the one deep safety patrolling the entire field as well. Paige has amazing measurables. He is tall and has nice arm length for the position which helps him as a tackler. Paige is a willing tackler and gets physical in the run game. He has a quick downhill trigger to get to the line of scrimmage and make plays as a run defender.
Weaknesses: Makari Paige does not have the speed to play cornerback for any elongated period of time. He gets beaten by the quicker slot receivers who have the footwork to create separation in the short areas. He is also susceptible to get beat by the faster and stronger boundary receivers. He is not strong enough at the catch point or close to the line of scrimmage. He gets bullied by bigger opponents. When used as a blitzer, he has trouble shedding blocks or breaking free to make plays in the backfield.
Conclusion: Makari Paige is a dynamic playmaker on the back end of the defense. He has measurables that will make him a candidate to immediately earn reps in the NFL. His physicality will be a welcome sight to a defense.
Scheme Fit: Split Safety Defense
Ideal Role: Strong Safety
Best Team Fits: MIN, MIA, IND
Player Comparison: Hamsah Nasirildeen
Player Grade: Round 3 (71.1)
