Ravens’ Unbelievable, Electrifying Training Camp Darling Set To Obliterate The Ar’Darius Washington Catastrophe

The Baltimore Ravens have been on the lookout for cornerbacks who can double up as safeties since 2024’s breakout player, versatile defensive back Ar’Darius Washington suffered a torn Achilles earlier this offseason, but they weren’t counting on an undrafted free agent who’s delivered a slew of impressive moments at training camp.

Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga star Reuben Lowery III has earned plaudits from several observers for his active performances. None other than head coach John Harbaugh has declared Lowery “all ball, every day. [That’s] all he thinks about, all he talks about. He eats it, sleeps it. Comes out here and flies around. [He’s] a very smart player,” per Ravens.com Editorial Assistant Justin Robertson.

Harbaugh was speaking after practice on Thursday, July 24 after “Lowery, who had three interceptions in OTAs and minicamp, had another one Thursday. The Tennessee-Chattanooga product beat the receiver to the ball over the middle in 11-on-11 drills.”

Lowery’s pick was just one moment from a busy outing for the versatile rookie with crossover potential to play both cornerback and safety. Exactly the kind of flexibility that made Washington vital to last season’s defense, and just what the Ravens need from a third safety to partner All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and 2025 NFL draft first-round pick Malaki Starks.

Reuben Lowery Making Strong Case to Stick With Ravens

Washington emerged as a key starter last season because his positional flexibility allowed the Ravens to get creative on the back end. Lowery offers defensive coordinator Zach Orr and secondary coach Chuck Pagano the same potential for experimentation.

The rookie has already been endorsed by Glenn Erby of Ravens Wire as “a training camp darling to watch out of UT-Chattanooga. The athletic defensive back made several plays on Day 2. Lowery (5-9, 204) posted 166 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and 15 passes defended during his time at Tennessee-Chattanooga.”

Those numbers prove Lowery has a range of skills, but what’s interesting is how Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic referred to the 22-year-old as a safety “who seems to be around the ball a lot.”

Zrebiec detailed how Lowery “stepped in front of Anthony Miller and intercepted a Devin Leary throw.” Lowery also “picked off (Cooper) Rush on a nice play over the middle,” according to The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker.

That positional designation was confirmed by Fox Baltimore’s Morgan Adist, who reported Lowery is “running safety a lot right now.”

This is key for Lowery’s chances of beating another notable undrafted player for a place on the final roster post-training camp. It means Lowery is in the mix to help at a key spot where the Ravens are still looking for solutions.

Ravens Searching for Hybrid Replacements for Ar’Darius Washington

Washington’s injury has prompted the Ravens to cast a wide net for new hybrid playmakers in the secondary. The search has mostly taken place on an in-house basis, with an unlikely thumper at safety in the frame to be a replacement.

Orr and his staff are also considering changing the role of an eight-year veteran corner, following the arrival of All-Pro Jaire Alexander. There’s even the possibility of a young cornerback like 2022 fourth-round pick Jalyn Armour-Davis spending time at safety.

Lowery makes more sense as the third safety because of the attributes he shares with Washington. Namely, a physical profile similar to last season’s 5-foot-8, 180-pound surprise package, who also took the undrafted path to a key spot on the roster.