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. For the third game in a row, Marshall’s linebackers graded very well according to PFF. Eli Neal led the Herd with the top defensive grade at 90.9. Neal seemed due for a big game and he did not disappoint. Now, for a look at how the rest of the defense performed against North Texas.
Defensive Line:
Elijah Alston led Marshall’s defensive line with a grade of 81.2 (62.8 run defense, 75.2 tackling, 86.9 pass rush) while playing 40 snaps. Alston was followed by Jamare Edwards grading at 72.2 (59.6 run defense, 74.4 tackling, 79.0 pass rush) on 45 snaps and TJ Johnson with a grade of 68.0 (63.7 run defense, 72.2 tackling, 67.4 pass rush) on 33 snaps. TyQaze Leggs had the fourth highest grade among defensive lineman with a 63.3 (53.0 run defense, 74.3 tackling, 75.2 pass rush) having played 26 snaps. Other defensive line grades of note: Owen Porter – 49.2 on 27 snaps, Koby Cumberlander – 46.1 on 30 snaps, Jordan Calomese – 39.0 on 17 snaps.
Linebackers:
As mentioned above, Eli Neal led Marshall’s linebackers with a grade of 90.9 (65.4 run defense, 79.6 tackling, 87.3 pass rush, 90.3 coverage) on 42 snaps. Charlie Gray was second, grading 74.8 (64.4 run defense, 79.1 tackling, 57.0 pass rush, 77.2 coverage) while playing 29 snaps. Gray was followed by Abraham Beauplan, who graded 66.5 (65.6 run defense, 59.4 tackling, 63.8 pass rush, 62.7 coverage) while taking part in 32 snaps. Brian Cavacante saw action on 37 snaps and graded 60.4.
Secondary:
Marshall’s secondary had their second straight quality performance, this time led by Cory McCoy who graded at 73.9 (54.2 run defense, 60.2 tackling, 60.0 pass rush, 79.8 coverage) on 64 snaps. This was definitely a bounce back game for McCoy who graded 55.7 against Old Dominion. Micah Abraham had the second highest grade with a 71.2 (63.9 run defense, 74.2 tackling, 71.2 coverage) playing 52 snaps. Joshua Bowers was next with a grade of 68.3 (57.1 run defense, 77.0 tackling, 70.7 coverage) on 26 snaps. PFF graded Brandon Drayton at 66.8 (66.0 run defense, 80.5 tackling, 66.0 coverage) on 52 snaps, while Nazeeh Johnson was graded 63.6 (66.3 run defense, 85.1 tackling, 61.7 coverage) on 60 snaps. Other secondary grades of note: E.J. Jackson – 61.4 on 31 snaps, Steven Gilmore – 61.1 on 56 snaps, LeAnthony Williams – 50.1 on 26 snaps.
A Look at CUSA’s Top Defensive Performers:
Top Graded Defensive Lineman in CUSA Week 7: Alex Wright from UAB at 92.5
Top Graded Linebacker in CUSA Week 7: Eli Neal from Marshall at 90.9
Top Graded Corner/Safety in CUSA Week 7: Corey Mayfield, Jr. from UTSA at 95.4
If you would like to know the grade for a specific defensive player during week seven, 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. For the third game in a row, Marshall’s linebackers graded very well according to PFF. Eli Neal led the Herd with the top defensive grade at 90.9. Neal seemed due for a big game and he did not disappoint. Now, for a look at how the rest of the defense performed against North Texas.
Defensive Line:
Elijah Alston led Marshall’s defensive line with a grade of 81.2 (62.8 run defense, 75.2 tackling, 86.9 pass rush) while playing 40 snaps. Alston was followed by Jamare Edwards grading at 72.2 (59.6 run defense, 74.4 tackling, 79.0 pass rush) on 45 snaps and TJ Johnson with a grade of 68.0 (63.7 run defense, 72.2 tackling, 67.4 pass rush) on 33 snaps. TyQaze Leggs had the fourth highest grade among defensive lineman with a 63.3 (53.0 run defense, 74.3 tackling, 75.2 pass rush) having played 26 snaps. Other defensive line grades of note: Owen Porter – 49.2 on 27 snaps, Koby Cumberlander – 46.1 on 30 snaps, Jordan Calomese – 39.0 on 17 snaps.
Linebackers:
As mentioned above, Eli Neal led Marshall’s linebackers with a grade of 90.9 (65.4 run defense, 79.6 tackling, 87.3 pass rush, 90.3 coverage) on 42 snaps. Charlie Gray was second, grading 74.8 (64.4 run defense, 79.1 tackling, 57.0 pass rush, 77.2 coverage) while playing 29 snaps. Gray was followed by Abraham Beauplan, who graded 66.5 (65.6 run defense, 59.4 tackling, 63.8 pass rush, 62.7 coverage) while taking part in 32 snaps. Brian Cavacante saw action on 37 snaps and graded 60.4.
Secondary:
Marshall’s secondary had their second straight quality performance, this time led by Cory McCoy who graded at 73.9 (54.2 run defense, 60.2 tackling, 60.0 pass rush, 79.8 coverage) on 64 snaps. This was definitely a bounce back game for McCoy who graded 55.7 against Old Dominion. Micah Abraham had the second highest grade with a 71.2 (63.9 run defense, 74.2 tackling, 71.2 coverage) playing 52 snaps. Joshua Bowers was next with a grade of 68.3 (57.1 run defense, 77.0 tackling, 70.7 coverage) on 26 snaps. PFF graded Brandon Drayton at 66.8 (66.0 run defense, 80.5 tackling, 66.0 coverage) on 52 snaps, while Nazeeh Johnson was graded 63.6 (66.3 run defense, 85.1 tackling, 61.7 coverage) on 60 snaps. Other secondary grades of note: E.J. Jackson – 61.4 on 31 snaps, Steven Gilmore – 61.1 on 56 snaps, LeAnthony Williams – 50.1 on 26 snaps.
A Look at CUSA’s Top Defensive Performers:
Top Graded Defensive Lineman in CUSA Week 7: Alex Wright from UAB at 92.5
Top Graded Linebacker in CUSA Week 7: Eli Neal from Marshall at 90.9
Top Graded Corner/Safety in CUSA Week 7: Corey Mayfield, Jr. from UTSA at 95.4
If you would like to know the grade for a specific defensive player during week seven, do not hesitate to ask.
