Rivals has continued its partnership with Pro Football Focus (PFF) which grants me access to their comprehensive analytics and statistical tools.
After each game, two separate analysts grade every player on each play of the game and the two totals are averaged out. Obviously no subjective ranking system is perfect, but I am finding that my real world impressions of a player in a certain game usually reflects the PFF grade.
PFF Grading Scale
90 and above - Elite
80 to 89 - Great
70 to 79 - Good
60 to 69 - Average to Above Average
50 - 59 - Below Average
49 and below - Poor
Season Defensive Grades (by game)
South Carolina State - 88.4
Louisville - 62.5
FAU - 63.3
Georgia Tech - 70.0
SMU - 66.0
Temple - 66.8
ECU - 65.1
Cincinnati - 63.9
Memphis - 67.2
Tulane - 64.3
Navy - 76.5
The highest defensive grade of the year vs. a FBS team.
Overall Defensive Grades
LB Walter Yates (56) - 84.8
LB Jason Johnson (64) - 81.6
DT Anthony Montalvo (45) - 72.7
DT Ricky Barber (44) - 72.4
DT Matthew Alexander (19) - 72.0
DE Malachi Lawrence (5) - 70.1
CB Davonte Brown (51) - 69.9
CB Corey Thornton (53) - 69.3
DE Tre'Mon Morris-Brash (61) - 66.8
S Jarvis Ware (42) - 65.8
DE K.D. McDaniel (3) - 63.3
S Divaad Wilson (62) - 63.2
LB Kam Moore (8) - 62.8
DE Josh Celiscar (59) - 57.8
S Koby Perry (24) - 56.6
CB Nikai Martinez (22) - 55.7
CB Justin Hodges (42) - 54.8
CB Brandon Adams (24) - 54.6
DT Lee Hunter (20) - 50.1
The most snaps ever played for Walter Yates and his highest grade ever. Both LBs did outstanding.
Here's the breakdown by position:
Defensive End (4):
DE Malachi Lawrence (5) - 70.1
DE Tre'Mon Morris-Brash (61) - 66.8
DE K.D. McDaniel (3) - 63.3
DE Josh Celiscar (59) - 57.8
Defensive Tackle (4):
DT Anthony Montalvo (45) - 72.7
DT Ricky Barber (44) - 72.4
DT Matthew Alexander (19) - 72.0
DT Lee Hunter (20) - 50.1
Linebacker (3):
LB Walter Yates (56) - 84.8
LB Jason Johnson (64) - 81.6
LB Kam Moore (8) - 62.8
Safety (3):
S Jarvis Ware (42) - 65.8
S Divaad Wilson (62) - 63.2
S Koby Perry (24) - 56.6
Corner (5):
CB Davonte Brown (51) - 69.9
CB Corey Thornton (53) - 69.3
CB Nikai Martinez (22) - 55.7
CB Justin Hodges (42) - 54.8
CB Brandon Adams (24) - 54.6
Pressure Tracker (combination of sacks, hits and hurries):
2 - Anthony Montalvo
1 - Malachi Lawrence, Ricky Barber, Walter Yates