DBU playing well according to PFF metrics

By Hunt Palmer

Every Sunday, we dive into LSU’s grades from the previous day.

With a bye week on the schedule, I took the time to dive into the season-long PFF numbers to see what jumped off the page.

LSU’s primary coverage players have been excellent, so far. Statistically, the numbers bear that out. LSU ranks sixth in the SEC in completion percentage against at 58%. Only Mississippi State has more interceptions than LSU in the SEC.

Pro Football Focus highlights the individuals.

Mansoor Delane is off to an All-American caliber start. You probably heard the LSU vs. Ole Miss telecast mention that the Rebel coaching staff had identified Delane as one of the top cover men in the country. His overall defensive grade is 88.5 which is astronomically high. His coverage score is 87.7, and he’s only allowed six completions on 20 targets this year. He’s got four pass breakups and an interception, too. That means he’s broken up five passes and allowed six completions. That’s lock down stuff.

On the other side, PJ Woodland has really emerged as a strong coverage option. He’s got a coverage grade of 75.1 and has only allowed eight receptions on 17 targets.

DJ Pickett is the guy offenses are going to target. He’s just a freshman and learning on the fly. He’s got an overall grade of 66.2 defensively, and his coverage score is 62.9. He’s only been targeted 10 times so far, and those have netted five completions. He has the one interception against Florida and was called for pass interference at Ole Miss on the ball he intercepted and ran back for a touchdown that was brought back.

At safety, AJ Haulcy has been excellent. He’s got an overall grade of 82.5 with a coverage score of 83.4.

Those four have not allowed a receiving touchdown in 53 targets. That’s impressive work.

Tamarcus Cooley has allowed a pair of scores and 13 receptions on 17 targets. He’s been a bit of a weak link according to those metrics. At dime, Deshawn Spears sports a 92.4 coverage grade. A pair of interceptions against Florida helps that for sure.

The back end of the defense will face four of the top five passers in the SEC (John Mateer, Ty Simpson, Taylen Green, Marcel Reed) in the last six league games on the schedule. They’ll have to maintain that level of play for LSU to remain relevant in the College Football Playoff race.