Tag: PFF grade

PFF: Wisconsin to enter 2025 with one of best tight ends in the college football

PFF: Wisconsin to enter 2025 with one of best tight ends in the college football

Wisconsin’s busy winter transfer portal cycle was headlined by a few key offensive additions.

Two were at quarterback, the most important position on the field: Maryland starter Billy Edwards Jr. and San Diego State starter Danny O’Neil. Another key addition fulfilled arguably the next-biggest positional need on the unit: Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol.

Related: Early Big Ten football starting quarterback rankings for 2025 season

Koziol, a four-star transfer prospect, is the team’s highest-rated addition: the No. 72 overall player in the portal and No. 3 at his position. 247Sports may even be conservative with its ranking, as Koziol will enter 2025 as ProFootballFocus’ top-ranked tight end.

The Ball State standout finished the 2024 season ranked No. 3 in PFF’s sport-wide ranking with an overall grade of 87.9. No. 1 Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green) and No. 2 Tyler Warren (Penn State) are both off to the 2025 NFL draft. That leaves Koziol as the service’s best returning player at the position.

The rising senior tallied 94 receptions, 839 yards and eight touchdowns for Ball State in 2024, leading the team in every receiving category. He won’t have trouble besting Wisconsin’s recent production from the position — the team got just 23 combined catches for 156 yards and one touchdown from Tucker Ashcraft and Riley Nowakowski in 2024.

Other notable returning tight ends include Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers (87.4 PFF grade), Louisiana’s Terrance Carter (83.6) and Oregon‘s Kenyon Sadiq (80.9).

Wisconsin enters 2025 with a new-look offense under coordinator Jeff Grimes. Edwards and Koziol should form Wisconsin’s best quarterback-tight end duo since QB Alex Hornibrook and TE Troy Fumagalli combined for 46 catches, 547 yards and four touchdowns in 2017.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Former Wisconsin Badger transfer a standout from College Football Playoff first round

Former Wisconsin Badger a standout from College Football Playoff first round

Former Wisconsin offensive tackle Nolan Rucci was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive lineman (76.6) from the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff last weekend.

Rucci started at right tackle for Penn State in its 38-10 victory against SMU. He aided a Nittany Lion offense that produced 325 total yards, 189 rushing yards and a 4.7 yards per carry average. Those totals would likely have been much higher had the Penn State defense not scored on two pick sixes to open the contest.

The former Badger recently took over Penn State’s full-time starting right tackle job after a season-ending injury to starter Anthony Donkoh. Rucci previously played a depth role along the offensive line, mostly seeing snaps in jumbo formations.

Saturday’s contest was a breakthrough game for a Penn State program badly in need of a signature win. It also was one for Rucci, who appears to be cementing himself as the program’s future starter at the position.

Rucci transferred to Penn State last offseason after three seasons with the Badgers. He joined Wisconsin as a five-star recruit, the No. 1 player from Pennsylvania and the No. 17 overall player in the class of 2021. He failed to win a starting position during his time with the program. Multiyear starters Jack Nelson (left tackle) and Riley Mahlman (right tackle) blocked his path.

The former Badger has found strong footing with the Nittany Lions. He and the team are preparing for a College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Wisconsin’s Jake Renfro PFF’s highest-graded center from Week 8

Wisconsin’s Jake Renfro PFF’s highest-graded center from college football Week 8

Wisconsin center Jake Renfro was PFF’s highest-graded player at his position in college football Week 8.

The service gave Renfro an overall grade of 88.3 — nearly nine rating points better than the second-highest grade on Wisconsin’s offensive unit: WR Will Pauling’s 79.7 mark.

Related: Studs and duds from Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern: Tawee Walker continues strong play

Renfro helped the Badgers control a strong Wildcats defensive front. Wisconsin rushed for 199 yards on 4.6 yards per carry during the 23-3 win, that after Northwestern entered the contest ranked No. 9 in the nation in rush defense (87.5 yards per game, 2.9 yards per carry).

He also led the Badgers’ offensive line to allow only one sack and play yet another penalty-free game — continuing their overall dominance as a unit.

Wisconsin’s season-long statistics are continuing to reflect the team’s dominance up front and resurgent run game. The Badgers now rank No. 35 in the nation in rush offense (194 yards per game), No. 22 in sacks allowed (1.14 per game), No. 13 in tackles for loss allowed (3.57) and No. 8 in fewest penalties per game (4.00).

Renfro and the unit have a big upcoming test when No. 3 Penn State visits Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. The Nittany Lions enter with the nation’s No. 10 rush defense (95 yards per game allowed, 3.2 yards per carry), No. 14 pass defense (167.5 yards per game) and No. 6 total defense (262.5 yards per game).

Wisconsin’s offensive line will play a key role in the matchup as the Badgers look to notch a program-defining victory.

The Badgers and Nittany Lions will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin true freshman cornerback continues strong start to 2024 season

Wisconsin true freshman cornerback continues strong start to 2024 season

Wisconsin true freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas was ProFootballFocus’ highest-graded true freshman cornerback from Week 6 in college football.

His strong afternoon in the Badgers’ 52-6 blowout win over Rutgers only continues what has been an impressive start to his college career.

Related: Wisconsin updated depth chart for Rutgers game sees true freshman running back enter two-deep

Lucas joined the Badgers this offseason as a four-star recruit in the class of 2024. He was ranked as only the No. 372 player in the class, No. 35 safety and No. 52 recruit from his home state of Florida.

It is safe to say he is already surpassing those rankings.

Lucas has played a significant role in a Wisconsin secondary that has been a strength of the team through five games. Individually, he has five tackles, a pass deflection and an interception in that time. His performance against Purdue included one tackle and that pass deflection.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1843405188369178689

Fewer statistics are often a good sign for a cornerback. That means the ball is thrown their way less frequently, which means the player is doing well in coverage. Wisconsin star cornerback Ricardo Hallman has only seven tackles and two pass deflections this season, for example. Those numbers are low because teams don’t throw him the football.

Lucas’ ascension to a primary role on the Badgers defense is overly impressive given his age and lack of experience. His strong play has backed up that significant role. His play should also only improve as he spends more time in Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel’s defensive system.

I’d bet it’s hard to find a true freshman cornerback who has been more impressive through the first five games of the young season.

Lucas and the Wisconsin secondary will continue to be tested coming up with games against top offenses including Penn State (No. 12 offense in ESPN SP+) and Oregon (No. 5).

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin starting tackle PFF’s highest-graded Big Ten lineman from Week 6

Wisconsin starting tackle PFF’s highest-graded Big Ten lineman from Week 6

Wisconsin left tackle Jack Nelson was ProFootballFocus’ highest-graded Big Ten offensive lineman from Week 6.

He earned an overall grade of 90.1 in the Badgers’ big 52-6 win over the Purdue Boilermakers.

Related: Wisconsin updated depth chart for Rutgers game sees true freshman running back enter two-deep

Nelson is a significant part of an offensive line that has been arguably Wisconsin’s biggest strength through its first five games of the 2024 season. The unit was solid in tough losses to Alabama and USC, then had an all-around dominant showing against Purdue.

Last Saturday saw the line lead the Badgers offense to 589 total yards (361 passing, 228 rushing), 28 first downs and seven touchdowns, all without allowing a sack.

PFF’s grades only confirm Nelson’s strong play leading the group. The redshirt senior is one of several on the line who have improved their performance in the second year under coordinator Phil Longo.

Nelson’s current form is great news for his chances at being selected in the upcoming NFL draft. The four-year starter has had ups and downs — with the rest of the Wisconsin offensive line. His trajectory on the blindside of a line that appears to be improving by the week could see him rise to an early day two selection.

First, he’ll need to continue his strong performance against a challenging remaining schedule. The Badgers first face a good Rutgers defense in Week 7, then have remaining games against top teams including Penn State (No. 6 in ESPN SP+), Iowa (No. 29), Oregon (No. 7) and Nebraska (No. 26).

Key No. 1 to Wisconsin succeeding against that schedule and extending its record bowl streak is continued strong play from Nelson and the offensive line.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, LB Nate Landman earn top Week 1 grades

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, LB Nate Landman earn highest grades in Week 1 loss to Steelers

The Atlanta Falcons failed their first test of the 2024 season, and the schedule will only get tougher in the coming weeks. Sunday’s 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t the start Falcons fans were hoping to see, but there were some encouraging performances.

Running back Bijan Robinson was one of the team’s few offensive bright spots in Week 1, racking up 111 all-purpose yards. Defensively, Atlanta struggled against the run but came up with some big stops in the second half to stay in the game. Linebacker Nate Landman made a huge play to bring down Justin Fields on a fourth-down QB sneak attempt.

Landman timed the snap perfectly and leaped over the line of scrimmage to stop Fields short of the first down.

https://twitter.com/tre3shon/status/1832864039522975802

Robinson and Landman earned the Falcons’ highest Pro Football Focus grades in Week 1. Landman’s 88.3 overall grade led the team while Robinson wasn’t far behind with a grade of 87.

Linebacker Troy Andersen (79.3), safety Justin Simmons (77.3) and cornerback Kevin King (76.6) rounded out the top five for Atlanta in Sunday’s opener. Landman and Andersen split time next to Kaden Elliss at inside linebacker. Andersen was listed as the starter on the depth chart, but Landman played five more snaps (37 total) in Week 1.

Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud earned a respectable grade of 72.4. Quarterback Kirk Cousins didn’t fare as well in his Falcons debut, earning the second-lowest grade (42.1) on the team. Cousins threw one touchdown and two interceptions on Sunday.

Atlanta has an extra day to prepare for next week’s Monday night matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. If the team can’t turn things around then, it will only get tougher against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1360]

Cornerback RJ Delancy is Wisconsin’s highest-graded transfer addition of 2024 offseason

Cornerback RJ Delancy is Wisconsin’s highest-graded transfer addition of offseason

Former Toledo transfer cornerback RJ Delancy is Wisconsin’s highest-graded offseason transfer addition, according to a recent post by PFF.

Delancy finished with a PFF grade of 87.2 in his redshirt junior season at Toledo in 2023. His stats included 28 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass deflections and one interception.

Related: Wisconsin and Big Ten bowl projections for 2024 college football season

The veteran cornerback joins a talented Wisconsin secondary in 2024. The two-deep projects to include starting cornerbacks Ricardo Hallman and Nyzier Fourqurean, starting safeties Hunter Wohler and Kamo’i Latu, plus depth pieces Delancy, Austin Brown, Jonas Duclona, Braedyn Moore and Max Lofy.

Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has a propensity to play three safeties at a time, with Wohler as more of a roving linebacker. That sometimes sees six total secondary players on the field with two starting cornerbacks and the nickel corner. The message: Delancy shouldn’t have any trouble seeing the field in 2024.

The talented Toledo transfer will look to follow the path of former Rockets cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who the Philadelphia Eagles selected in the first round of the recent NFL draft.

Wisconsin’s total 2024 transfer class includes several impact starters on both sides of the football. Delancy’s high rating shows his caliber, sticking out of a group that also includes starting linebackers Jaheim Thomas, Leon Lowery and John Pius, defensive linemen Brandon Lane and Elijah Hills, quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, running back Tawee Walker and wide receivers Tyrell Henry and Joseph Griffin Jr.

The transfer class projects to have a significant impact on Wisconsin’s on-field product this fall. The group will need to perform well if the Badgers are to improve upon their 7-6 record from 2023.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Former Wisconsin DL picked by ProFootballFocus to break out in 2024 NFL season

Former Wisconsin DL picked for breakout season by ProFootballFocus

Former Wisconsin and current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton was included on the ProFootballFocus 2024 NFL All-Breakout Defense by Gordon McGuinness on Friday.

The group also included Green Bay Packers DL Karl Brooks, Atlanta Falcons edge Arnold Ebiketie, Seattle Seahawks edge Boye Mafe, Baltimore Ravens LB Trenton Simpson, Dallas Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown, Chicago Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson, Minnesota Vikings CB Mekhi Blackmon, Buffalo Bills CB Christian Benford, Cincinnati Bengals S Jordan Battle and Kansas City Chiefs S Chamarri Conner.

Related: Wisconsin class of 2025 vaults up national rankings after addition of four-star WR Eugene Hilton Jr.

Benton earns this honor as he enters his second NFL season. His rookie campaign in Pittsburgh included 36 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hits, 1.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections and an overall PFF grade of 74.8.

The former second-round pick capped off a stellar college career by being Wisconsin’s best defensive player in 2022. His four-year collegiate tenure included 80 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, 4 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble.

The rising star is projected to start for the Steelers at nose tackle in 2024 as he looks to further establish his role at the NFL level.

It’s safe to say Wisconsin dearly missed Benton’s presence during the 2023 season. His on-field, off-field splits were severe during what was a rocky 2022 season. The Badgers are still searching for his replacement along the defensive line and although there is some top-end high school talent entering the program, it enters 2024 without a Benton-like presence in the middle of the defensive line.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

[lawrence-related id=78567,78289,78951,79021,78563,78939,78833]

Where Braelon Allen ranks among PFF’s best all-time Wisconsin Badgers running backs

Where does Braelon Allen rank on Wisconsin’s all-time list?

The Wisconsin football program is known for its long history at the running back position.

The latest product is Braelon Allen. He entered the 2024 NFL Draft after a three-year Wisconsin career that included 3,494 rushing yards, 275 receiving yards and 35 total touchdowns.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s incoming transfers by expected impact in 2024 season

Allen’s play style doesn’t directly relate to that of Badger greats Jonathan Taylor, Melvin Gordon and James White. His NFL prospects are a bit of a question mark, as a result.

What the former Badger does boast is a power-first style with surprising speed. Derrick Henry, A.J. Dillon and others have made careers off overpowering defenders. Allen hopes to follow in that list of running backs.

Before the NFL Draft later this month, ProFootballFocus took to X to compare Allen’s collegiate grade with some of Wisconsin’s other greats.

He ranks third since 2014, unsurprisingly behind both Taylor and Gordon:

Allen will hope to hear his name called on the second day of April’s draft as he looks to continue Wisconsin’s legacy at the position.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

[lawrence-related id=74034,73780,74398,73766,74030]

Wisconsin landed one of the best transfer running backs this offseason

Wisconsin landed one of the best transfer running backs this offseason

The Wisconsin Badgers were active in the transfer portal this offseason. Luke Fickell’s program landed 12 players, including new starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (Miami) and top-ranked linebacker Tackett Curtis (USC).

The transfer class ranks No. 18 nationally and No. 5 in the new Big Ten.

Related: You might be surprised where Wisconsin football is on ESPN’s early 2024 SP+ rankings

One under-the-radar name in the class is former Oklahoma running back Tawee Walker. With Braelon Allen gone to the NFL and Chez Mellusi coming off yet another significant injury, the Badgers greatly needed help at the position.

It seems they found it in Walker, who is ProFootballFocus’ third-ranked transfer running back this offseason:

Walker is 247Sports’ No. 350 overall transfer and No. 34 running back. PFF was more impressed at what it saw last season when the junior rushed for 513 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries.

The former Oklahoma Sooner is set to have a big impact for the Badgers this fall.

[lawrence-related id=70711,69921,70648]