Pro Football Focus grades LSU vs. Southeastern

By Hunt Palmer

Saturday night’s contest went the way it was always going to go.

LSU scored eight straight touchdowns and completely shut down the Lion offense. It was never about the score, only the reps. The second teamers were able to play almost the entire second half, and now they have some film for coaches to work from.

Pro Football Focus has handed out its grades. We set the minimum snap count at 15 for this game because substitutions were so liberal. As is generally the case, the grades reflected much of what the eye test suggested in LSU final pre-conference tune up before the Tigers play seven of the next eight against the SEC.

HIGHEST GRADES

1. Jimari Butler, Edge – 93.3
2. Garrett Nussmeier, QB – 92.3
3. Whit Weeks, LB – 86.2
4. Davhon Keys, LB – 77.7
5. Bernard Gooden, DT – 76.5

With Gabriel Reliford out and in a sling, Butler’s role likely increases. Dylan Carpenter also got more reps last night due to Reliford’s absence. Butler graded 93.4 on 11 pass rush snaps. He was credited with a hurry and batted a ball down at the line of scrimmage.

Nussmeier makes this list almost every week. He earned it on Saturday. He graded 91.0 in the passing game. I’ll just say this, it’s encouraging that folks who are reviewing the “All 22” like Nussmeier’s decision making every single week. He made four “big time throws” and didn’t have a “turnover-worthy pass”. Saturday night was Nussmeier’s best effort of the young season, and his grade reflected that.

Whit Weeks didn’t play much. He was only on the field for 17 snaps, but all of his grades–overall, run defense, tackling, pass rush and coverage–were over 70. He was likely all kinds of fired up to get back out there after last week was cut short.

Davhon Keys continues to do his job when called upon. He graded 79.4 against the run and didn’t miss a single tackle. He also had two hurries and batted a ball down at the line of scrimmage. It’s fair to call Keys a “starter” now even though West Weeks will return to the lineup when his calf heals. Between last year early this season, Keys has proven himself to be a playmaker on the second level.

Bernard Gooden only played 15 snaps as LSU’s defense kept forcing three and outs and the second team played the second half. He made them count with a 74.o against the run. He also had a hurry. Gooden’s quickness and explosiveness are a handful on the defensive interior.

LOWEST GRADES

1. Dominick McKinley, DT – 52.2
2. Harlem Berry, RB – 52.9
3. Weston Davis, RT – 53.6
4. Ory Williams, RG – 54.4
5. Braelin Moore, C – 55.1

McKinley played 15 snaps, 11 against the pass and four against the run. He drew a 15-yard penalty for throwing a helmet in the first half. PFF doesn’t like those.

Berry saw 15 snaps in the second half. I liked his pass protection grade of 70.3, then I saw the snap count, and it was only one rep. Berry’s rushing grade was 58.0. There are some stats I worry about on PFF. Harlem Berry’s vision and rushing ability doesn’t qualify. He’ll be just fine there.

Davis has made this list in all four games. He’s struggling, and it’s obvious. DJ Chester was inserted for the final first-team drive Saturday night. He played 47 snaps. His 29 pass blocking snaps were graded 63.9. He allowed three pressures including a sack. His 18 run blocking plays graded 59.5. Davis has the size and athleticism you’re looking for at the spot, and he’s a redshirt freshman. Those facts make his development likely. It needs to come quickly, though.

Ory Williams has been cross trained at guard and tackle. He played left guard on Saturday night and graded 71.3 in the running game and 63.9 in the passing game. Those grades are actually pretty good. Two penalties is not very good. That’s where the low score comes from.

I was surprised to see Braelin Moore on this list. He’s been so solid in his early work. You’d have to imagine his ankle will improve week to week. All of his grades were under 56 in this game. LSU needs its center to play better, and it’s likely Moore will.