Highest-graded gamers at each place forward of Week 15

Highest-graded gamers at each place forward of Week 15


• What cannot Travis Hunter do?: The Heisman frontrunner finishes the regular-season because the nation’s highest-graded Power 4 cornerback.

• An unbelievable yr for Addison West: The Western Michigan guard is the one FBS offensive lineman to submit a 90.0-plus PFF grade in all three main statistical blocking classes.

• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and extra. Sign up now!

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

QUARTERBACK

Power Four: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss Rebels — 92.5

Jaxson Dart bounced again from that heartbreaking Florida loss with a 90.1 general recreation vs. his in-state rival. He added three extra big-time throws to his 2024 season resume, together with his 28 rating third-most amongst all QBs. Dart’s 10.6 yards per go additionally leads the nation. While he could not obtain an invitation to New York, Jaxson Dart’s 2024 season was greater than Heisman worthy. 

Group of Five: Bryson Daily, Army Black Knights — 91.9

Bryson Daily threw for a season-high 185 passing yards on Saturday with a landing by the air. That marked solely the second time all season that his passing yards topped his dashing yards in a recreation. Daily nonetheless added 150 yards on the bottom with two touchdowns, so not too shabby of a day working the soccer both. His 89.7 dashing grade ranks second amongst quarterbacks.

RUNNING BACK

Power Four: Brashard Smith, SMU Mustangs — 91.2

Brashard Smith has the Mustangs on the doorstep of a possible College Football Playoff berth this weekend. SMU could also be in regardless if it wins or not, however I feel they might nonetheless choose the first-round bye as a convention champion. Smith is the nation’s greatest receiving again with the very best grade in that class at 92.3. Last Saturday, he recorded over 60 yards on each the bottom and thru the air, notching two touchdowns. 

Group of Five: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State Broncos — 95.3

Ashton Jeanty is lower than 400 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders’ all-time single season report for dashing yards (2,628). Luckily for him, Boise State clinched its convention championship recreation look, so he’ll get just a few further alternatives to realize it. If he can preserve averaging 7.3 yards per carry and 5.42 yards after contact, he would possibly have the ability to go the report in two video games. 

WIDE RECEIVER

Power Four: Jayden Higgins, Iowa State Cyclones — 89.9

Jayden Higgins is the most recent Iowa State receiver to make a reputation for himself, as he’s main the nation in receiving grade with a 90.1. He and Jaylin Noel have meant all the things to this offense as they every share a 3rd of the workforce’s whole receiving yards. Higgins might want to have one other massive recreation this week towards Arizona State if the Cyclones plan on making the CFP. 

Group of Five: Coleman Owen, Ohio Bobcats — 89.5

Coleman Owen ended the common season together with his greatest recreation but, going for 142 yards and two landing catches. Ohio’s quarterback posted an ideal passer ranking any time he threw at Owen on this recreation. The efficiency earned Owen a season-high 92.6 general grade to convey his general season grade as much as an 89.5.

TIGHT END

Power Five: Tyler Warren, Penn State Nittany Lions — 90.5

Tyler Warren had one in all his lighter workloads of the season on Saturday with solely six catches and three carries. This capped off an amazing common season for the star tight finish, as he’s second on the place in receiving grade (93.3). With Ohio State’s shocking loss, Warren will now get an additional recreation within the Big Ten Championship, the place he could make one last push to attempt to seal the Mackey award. 

Group of Five: Harold Fannin Jr, Bowling Green Falcons — 95.7

Here is the weekly replace for PFF metrics by which is Fannin Jr is main tight ends.

StatNumberRank
Yards1,3421st
TDs91st
Receiving Grade96.11st
YAC7501st
Yards Per Route Run3.651st
Missed Tackles Forced311st
1st Downs641st

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Power Four: Spencer Fano, Utah Utes — 91.4

Aside from two penalties on Saturday, Spencer Fano performed an ideal recreation blocking-wise. He by no means gave up a sack after Week 1 this yr and completed with an 80.3 pass-blocking grade for the season. Fano is as powerful as they arrive on the deal with place and remains to be only a sophomore who will likely be seeking to get even higher in 2025.

Group of Five: Lucas Scott, Army Black Knights — 91.3

Even although it was solely on 102 pass-blocking snaps, Lucas Scott nonetheless didn’t enable greater than only one strain all season. That offers him a 99.5 pass-blocking effectivity charge. But, it’s Scott’s run-blocking that makes him so very important to this Army offense, as he graded even higher in that class with an 89.1 mark. 

OFFENSIVE GUARD

Power Four: Willie Lampkin, North Carolina Tar Heels — 80.8

Willie Lampkin solely let his quarterback get touched 4 occasions this season to earn a 99.1 pass-blocking effectivity ranking. Lampkin is an exceptional athlete with a singular construct that permits him to get out in area as a run-blocker. That is the place he actually thrives, ending with an 81.3 run-blocking grade.

Group of Five: Addison West, Western Michigan Broncos — 96.3

Addison West is main all NCAA linemen throughout the board in run-blocking (94.8), pass-blocking (93.2) and general grade (96.3). He is the one offensive lineman who has earned a 90.0-plus grade in every of these metrics. 

CENTER

Power Four: Jake Slaughter, Florida Gators — 81.2

Jake Slaughter has been as constant as they arrive for the Gators and is a large motive why they’ve had a lot success down the stretch. Slaughter is a good athlete who has been dominant paving the best way for the run. But he has additionally stored D.J. Lagway upright all yr — outdoors of 1 sack in Week 13 — to earn an 83.8 pass-blocking grade. 

Group of Five: Jacob Gardner, Colorado State Rams — 88.1

Jacob Gardner was simply named to the Rimington Trophy watchlist and deservedly so. Right now, he’s the one middle in faculty soccer with an 85.0-plus grade in each run-blocking and pass-blocking. His 99.6 pass-blocking effectivity proportion ranks prime 4 on the place as nicely.

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN

Power Four: Mason Graham, Michigan Wolverines — 90.6

What an enormous victory for the Wolverines final week, led by their star defensive deal with Mason Graham. Graham earned TOTW honors together with his 88.4 general recreation towards Ohio State, the place he utterly shut down the run recreation. All 5 of his tackles resulted in defensive stops, which earned him an elite 90.9 run-defense grade for the sport. Graham has all however solidified himself as a top-five draft decide.

Group of Five: Peyton Zdroik, Air Force Falcons — 92.2

Coming into this yr, it was going to be powerful for Peyton Zdroik to prime his 2023 season. But as you possibly can see beneath, he by some means managed to enhance in each facet of his recreation.

PFF Grades20232024
Defense81.592.2
Run Defense89.091.4
Tackling66.272.9
Pass-Rushing66.590.7

EDGE DEFENDER

Power Four: Josaiah Stewart, Michigan Wolverines — 91.3

Josaiah Stewart racked up two pressures and two tackles in Michigan’s upset win over Ohio State however was largely held in test for the day. The Buckeyes are in all probability fortunate Stewart didn’t get going — in any other case, the sport might’ve been worse. On the yr, Stewart has a 24.9% pass-rush win charge, which ranks third amongst all certified edge defenders. 

Group of Five: Mike Green, Marshall Thundering Herd — 91.3

On 668 snaps this yr, Mike Green is second in the complete nation in pressures (60) and first in sacks (16). Among defensive ends, Green shouldn’t be far behind from an general tackling standpoint with 40 of them to rank within the prime seven.

LINEBACKER

Power Four: Austin Romaine, Kansas State Wildcats — 91.3

Austin Romaine is coming off his greatest recreation of the season by which he earned a 91.0 general grade amid 9 whole tackles. Romaine has been distinctive on all three ranges this yr however largely towards the run, with an 87.7 grade in that class. His three pressured fumbles are second-most on the place. 

Group of Five: Shaun Dolac, Buffalo Bulls — 92.2

Shaun Dolac is the nation’s main tackler with 119. He led all defensive gamers in tackling grade with a 91.9. After a dominant five-year profession within the MAC, Dolac has performed his method onto the radar of NFL groups, the place he’ll now seemingly get drafted this upcoming spring.

CORNERBACK

Power Four: Travis Hunter, Colorado Buffaloes — 90.3

Words can not describe the kind of season Travis Hunter has performed. The solely phrase that matches him is…. Heisman. We won’t ever see one other season like this, the place a 1,000-yard receiver can also be the nation’s highest-graded cornerback. Hunter has managed to rack up 4 interceptions and 7 go breakups to earn a 90.9 protection grade. He can also be the No. 1 prospect on PFF’s massive board for either side of the ball.

Group of Five: Cam Stone, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors — 90.6

Cam Stone is likely one of the greatest corners relating to tackling gamers within the secondary. Once he will get his arms on you, he hardly ever misses, as you possibly can inform by his 85.1 tackling grade with solely two missed makes an attempt. Stone has additionally pressured three turnovers and 7 go breakups.

SAFETY

Power Four: Michael Taafe, Texas Longhorns — 91.3

It appears like each participant on Texas’ protection is a famous person, and whereas most of them are, Michael Taafe is definitely the workforce’s highest-graded defender. This secondary is nearly as good because it will get between Taafe and Jahdae Barron. Taafe is main all safeties in protection grade with a 91.0. On the season, opposing quarterbacks are posting a measly 35.0 passer ranking when concentrating on Taafe down the sector.

Group of Five: JJ Roberts, Marshall Thundering Herd — 91.1

JJ Roberts’ 11 go breakups are probably the most by any security within the nation. He’s been nice for Marshall on all three ranges, incomes a 78.0-plus mark in each PFF statistical class. Marshall now performs within the Sun Belt championship recreation this week, the place Roberts will undoubtedly get examined. If he can restrict Louisiana’s harm finished by the air, then the Thundering Herd has a terrific shot to win the sport.