Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
By Hunt Palmer
LSU suffered its first defeat of 2025 on Saturday night.
The running game faltered, and the defense tired in both halves against a well-coached Ole Miss offense. The Tigers fought and had a chance to get one final stop to set up a potential game-winning drive, but it was not to be.
Pro Football Focus has released its grades, and the defense and the wide receivers highlight the effort. On the low end, penalties and protection were issues.
Let’s take a look at the five highest and lowest graded Tigers.
HIGHEST GRADES
- AJ Haulcy, S – 84.3
- PJ Woodland, CB – 79.5
- Barion Brown, WR – 72.5
- Whit Weeks, LB – 71.0
- Nic Anderson, WR – 70.2
AJ Haulcy led the Tigers wit 13 tackles and forced the massive fumble near the goal line as Ole Miss looked to be seizing control of the game. His tackling grade was a sterling 87.7, and his coverage grade was 84.2. He was not penalized. Haulcy has become one of LSU’s best players which isn’t a huge surprise considering his consistent play at his first two stops.
Woodland was a busy man. If you heard on the telecast, Ole Miss identified Mansoor Delane as someone they did not want to mess around with. That meant a lot of targets for Woodland and DJ Pickett. Woodland was targeted five times and only allowed one catch. His interception was a remarkably athletic play. Good homecoming for the Mississippi native.
Brown led LSU with five catches for 40 yards. LSU tried to get the ball to him down the field but had some trouble making that connection.
Whit Weeks played 82 snaps for LSU. He was shaken up and left the game for a very short time. He was credited with 10 tackles and a pair of hurries. His 75.2 pass rush grade helped offset a pair of missed tackles that had his tackling grade down at 54.8. Lane Kiffin puts a lot of pressure on linebackers with his offense. Weeks had a good day.
And Nic Anderson made the diving catch off the deflection for LSU’s first touchdown. Anderson only made one other catch in the game. When a guy with a two-play impact is in the top five, it’s a bit of a problem.
LOWEST GRADES
- Davhon Keys, LB – 47.3
- DJ Pickett, CB – 48.3
- Trey’Dez Green, TE – 49.2
- West Weeks, LB – 51.2
- Tyree Adams, LT – 51.8
Keys and West Weeks both made this list largely due to coverage. Keys allowed catches on all three of his targets, and Weeks allowed catches on both of his targets. Those five catches went for 75 yards. Keys missed a tackle, and Weeks was penalized.
Pickett also drew a pass interference call on the pick six that was brought back. He allowed two catches on the other three targets, so three of his four targets were productive plays for the offense. His coverage grade was just 46.9.
Green was the target on the Anderson tip touchdown. He did not have a catch in his return to action from the knee injury. He was also flagged for an obvious hold where he took the defender to the ground.
Adams graded 39.0 in pass protection. He allowed four pressures from his left tackle spot. Braelin Moore’s 61.2 was the high mark for an LSU offensive lineman in run blocking. It was a tough day for all of the offensive linemen, Adams included.
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