Courtesy of @Zac Arrowood
As you look at the numbers, here's a chart for reference to see how each grade would be categorized:
1-49 - poor
50-55 - below average
56-64 - average
65-70 - above average
71-79 - good
80-89 - very good
90-99 - outstanding
Each week, we will explore the PFF rankings for individual players, as well as, look at top performers across Conference USA. Despite all the flak that Marshall’s secondary has received of late, and deservedly so, Nazeeh Johnson had the top grade on defense in the loss to MTSU with an 80.8. How did the rest of the secondary fare? Find out below.
Defensive Line:
After sitting out last week due to COVID-19 protocol, Owen Porter led the Herd’s defensive line with a grade of 76.7 (77.7 run defense, 79.6 tackling, 61.7 pass rush) on 25 snaps. Porter was followed by TJ Johnson at 71.6 (65.3 run defense, 72.2 tackling, 77.9 pass rush) on 40 snaps, Jamare Edwards at 69.9 (63.9 run defense, 33.9 tackling, 81.0 pass rush) on 49 snaps, and Coby Cumberlander with a 67.7 (67.3 run defense, 77.7 tackling, 61.7 pass rush) on 43 snaps. Other grades of note: Sam Burton 66.8 on 15 snaps, Shane Simmons at 57.9 on 31 snaps, and TyQaze Leggs at 56.2 on 27 snaps.
Linebackers:
Along with the secondary, Marshall’s linebackers have received much scrutiny based on their recent showings. According to PFF, their overall performance against MTSU was not as poor as many might have perceived. Charlie Gray led the linebacking corps with a grade of 75.3 (77.4 run defense, 55.3 tackling, 59.8 pass rush, 64.9 coverage) on 53 snaps. Eli Neal was second with a grade of 73.5 (79.0 run defense, 64.2 tackling, 60.3 coverage) on 70 snaps, while Abraham Beauplan graded third at 72.6 (74.6 run defense, 80.5 tackling, 57.9 pass rush, 64.8 coverage) playing 22 snaps.
Secondary:
After posting a grade of 59.2 against Appalachian State (yes, that was the top grade for the Herd’s secondary last week), Nazeeh Johnson bounced back with an 80.8 (73.5 run defense, 83.6 tackling, 60.0 pass rush, 81.9 coverage) on 75 snaps against MTSU. Daytione Smith had the second highest grade in the secondary at 72.6 (60.0 run defense, 73.5 tackling, 71.8 coverage) on 10 snaps. Steven Gilmore was next in line, grading at 65.2 (66.5 run defense, 79.3 tackling, 64.6 coverage) on 75 snaps, followed by E.J. Jackson with a grade of 65.0 (77.5 run defense, 83.5 tackling, 52.2 coverage) on 45 snaps. Other grades of note: Micah Abraham at 62.8 on 44 snaps, Cory McCoy at 56.3 on 73 snaps, and Joshua Bowers at 56.2 on 45 snaps.
A Look at CUSA’s Top Defensive Performers:
Top Graded Defensive Lineman in CUSA Week 5: Nikia Eason from UAB at 89.1
Top Graded Linebacker in CUSA Week 5: Justin Whisenhunt from Charlotte at 77.4
Top Graded Corner/Safety in CUSA Week 5: Kirk Lockhart from Rice at 92.1
If you would like to know the grade for a specific defensive player during week five, do not hesitate to ask.
As you look at the numbers, here's a chart for reference to see how each grade would be categorized:
1-49 - poor
50-55 - below average
56-64 - average
65-70 - above average
71-79 - good
80-89 - very good
90-99 - outstanding
Each week, we will explore the PFF rankings for individual players, as well as, look at top performers across Conference USA. Despite all the flak that Marshall’s secondary has received of late, and deservedly so, Nazeeh Johnson had the top grade on defense in the loss to MTSU with an 80.8. How did the rest of the secondary fare? Find out below.
Defensive Line:
After sitting out last week due to COVID-19 protocol, Owen Porter led the Herd’s defensive line with a grade of 76.7 (77.7 run defense, 79.6 tackling, 61.7 pass rush) on 25 snaps. Porter was followed by TJ Johnson at 71.6 (65.3 run defense, 72.2 tackling, 77.9 pass rush) on 40 snaps, Jamare Edwards at 69.9 (63.9 run defense, 33.9 tackling, 81.0 pass rush) on 49 snaps, and Coby Cumberlander with a 67.7 (67.3 run defense, 77.7 tackling, 61.7 pass rush) on 43 snaps. Other grades of note: Sam Burton 66.8 on 15 snaps, Shane Simmons at 57.9 on 31 snaps, and TyQaze Leggs at 56.2 on 27 snaps.
Linebackers:
Along with the secondary, Marshall’s linebackers have received much scrutiny based on their recent showings. According to PFF, their overall performance against MTSU was not as poor as many might have perceived. Charlie Gray led the linebacking corps with a grade of 75.3 (77.4 run defense, 55.3 tackling, 59.8 pass rush, 64.9 coverage) on 53 snaps. Eli Neal was second with a grade of 73.5 (79.0 run defense, 64.2 tackling, 60.3 coverage) on 70 snaps, while Abraham Beauplan graded third at 72.6 (74.6 run defense, 80.5 tackling, 57.9 pass rush, 64.8 coverage) playing 22 snaps.
Secondary:
After posting a grade of 59.2 against Appalachian State (yes, that was the top grade for the Herd’s secondary last week), Nazeeh Johnson bounced back with an 80.8 (73.5 run defense, 83.6 tackling, 60.0 pass rush, 81.9 coverage) on 75 snaps against MTSU. Daytione Smith had the second highest grade in the secondary at 72.6 (60.0 run defense, 73.5 tackling, 71.8 coverage) on 10 snaps. Steven Gilmore was next in line, grading at 65.2 (66.5 run defense, 79.3 tackling, 64.6 coverage) on 75 snaps, followed by E.J. Jackson with a grade of 65.0 (77.5 run defense, 83.5 tackling, 52.2 coverage) on 45 snaps. Other grades of note: Micah Abraham at 62.8 on 44 snaps, Cory McCoy at 56.3 on 73 snaps, and Joshua Bowers at 56.2 on 45 snaps.
A Look at CUSA’s Top Defensive Performers:
Top Graded Defensive Lineman in CUSA Week 5: Nikia Eason from UAB at 89.1
Top Graded Linebacker in CUSA Week 5: Justin Whisenhunt from Charlotte at 77.4
Top Graded Corner/Safety in CUSA Week 5: Kirk Lockhart from Rice at 92.1
If you would like to know the grade for a specific defensive player during week five, do not hesitate to ask.
