PFF Grades: LSU vs. South Carolina

By Hunt Palmer

Every week we’ll take a look at how the folks from Pro Football Focus graded out the Tigers. This week some surprising names saw extended action in a flawed, but gutty, road win at South Carolina. This week’s snap count limit is 24 on one side of the ball. We want to highlight those who were solidly in the rotation instead of relaying Gabriel Reliford’s three snaps at fullback (He graded a 59.4, by the way). Let’s take a look at the Top 5 and Bottom 5.

HIGHEST GRADES

1. Jardin Gilbert, S – 82.9
2. Caden Durham, RB – 82.5
3. Aaron Anderson, WR – 78.3
4. Greg Penn, LB – 74.7
5. Sage Ryan, S – 72.8

I was a little surprised that a defense that allowed 398 total yards and 33 points put three players in the Top 5. LSU did create a good amount of havoc. Of course, a sizable portion of that came in the second half when LaNorris Sellers gave way to backup quarterback Robbie Ashford. LSU didn’t fear Ashford’s throwing ability and really came after him.

Gilbert played 25 defensive snaps at safety. The bulk of his high marks came in coverage where he scored 81.3 in 13 snaps. He forced a fumble that South Carolina recovered, as well.

Durham’s breakout was the most obvious bright spot for the Tigers. LSU struggled to run the ball versus Southern Cal and Nicholls State. Durham averaged 9.8 yards per pop on the ground. He ran around, by and over Gamecock defenders and scored twice. His rushing grade was 81.7 which was no surprise. His pass block grade was a respectable 76.3. That will give the coaching staff confidence to give the freshman more and more snaps.

Anderson didn’t have the impact many had hoped for last season, his first after transferring from Alabama. He looks like a different dude this year. The Tiger staff believes that Anderson just needed a year to pick up the system. He’s a player that thrives on speed and quickness. None of that shows up when you aren’t sure where to be. He caught five of his six targets for 96 yards including a big 46 yarder that Garrett Nussmeier dropped in the bucket.

LSU’s run defense was poor on Saturday. Twice a South Carolina ball carrier went more than 65 yards untouched for a touchdown. That said, Greg Penn’s grades were favorable. He was marked a 78.6 against the run. Those numbers aren’t backed up by a ton of production, just five tackles. Everyone on the defensive front needs to better.

Lastly, seeing Ryan’s name in the Top 5 as he moves back to his more natural safety position is slightly encouraging. He played 24 defensive snaps, 15 in coverage, eight in run support and one pass rush. The rush produced a forced fumble in the third quarter which was one of LSU’s defensive highlights. Ryan’s run defense graded at 49.6. He whiffed on Sellers’s long touchdown run in the first half.

Bradyn Swinson dominated the game in spurts with his pass rush ability. He recorded three sacks and forced pressure much of the afternoon which resulted in a 90.4 pass rush grade. However, his run defense was just 43.3. Because of the issues against the run and seven coverage snaps that were just average, he just missed the Top 5.

LOWEST GRADES

1. DJ Chester, C – 46
2. Sai’vion Jones, DE – 53.3
3. JK Johnson, CB – 55.6
4. Josh Williams, RB – 56.6
5. Zavion Thomas, WR – 56.8

South Carolina’s defensive front gave LSU some fits in pass protection. It was a group that was near the top of college football in sacks, and you saw why. DJ Chester is a freshman, and he looked it on Saturday. His pass block grade was a paltry 30 in 47 pass rush reps. His two guards, Garrett Dellinger (88.1 pass pro) and Miles Frazier (78.6 pass pro) can help with that and did much of the game. Their grades were excellent. Chester will improve, but Saturday was a reality check.

Sai’vion Jones really had a strong first two weeks in terms of making impact plays. He was in position to make more of those plays Saturday, but his tackling wasn’t good. It graded a 28.4, by far LSU’s lowest mark.

Johnson saw 25 snaps in the secondary. Seventeen of those were in coverage where he graded 55.1. LSU is looking everywhere for dependable coverage snaps, but not much is clicking there. Fortunately for the Tigers, South Carolina wasn’t equipped to exploit that with a backup quarterback in the game.

It’s always surprising to see Josh Williams on this list. Since he showed up on campus, Williams has generally been dependable if unspectacular. His six pass block assignments graded 21.6. Williams has been a plus in pass pro for three seasons. He didn’t forget how to do it. This may be a situation where those South Carolina rushers were damn good players.

Thomas’s grade here has more to do with route running than anything. He only made one catch for a loss of a yard.

I think the two grades that weren’t “Bottom 5”, but were certainly noteworthy, were LSU’s starting offensive tackles. Both really had their struggles relative to expectation.

Emery Jones Jr. graded 57.1 overall. He had a rock-solid day in pass protection with a 79.8. His run blocking effort wasn’t nearly as good—57.1.

Campbell had his worst afternoon since his first ever collegiate game against Jared Verse and Florida State. He graded just a 47 against the pass rush and 64.6 in the running game.