Florida State’s 27-24 loss to SMU exposed several areas that will need attention during the Seminoles’ upcoming bye week, and Pro Football Focus’ postgame grades reflected some of those struggles.
While a handful of Seminoles graded well individually, the bottom of PFF’s Week 1 report included players from both sides of the ball. Several members of Florida State’s defensive front finished near the bottom after SMU generated 585 total yards, while multiple offensive players also received below-average marks in a game where FSU struggled to consistently sustain drives.
Here are Florida State’s 10 lowest-graded players from the loss to SMU, according to PFF.
10. Ma’khi Jones — 55.6
Jones logged one of the larger workloads in Florida State’s secondary, playing 65 defensive
snaps.
He received a 55.6 overall grade, with his 48.6 run-defense grade representing his lowest major category. Jones also earned a 59.0 coverage grade.
9. Mandrell Desir — 54.6
Desir played 41 defensive snaps and finished with a 54.6 overall grade.
His 65.0 pass-rush mark was his strongest category, but a 47.0 run-defense grade lowered his overall evaluation. PFF credited Desir with one pressure, which came as a hurry. He did not record a tackle.
8. Chimdia Nwaiwu — 53.6
Nwaiwu played 36 offensive snaps at right tackle and earned a 53.6 overall grade.
The biggest issue came in pass protection, where PFF gave him a 38.4 pass-blocking grade. His 57.8 run-blocking mark was better, but he still finished as Florida State’s lowest-graded starting offensive lineman before he was pulled.
7. Kevin Wynn — 52.5
The defensive tackle played 14 snaps, with PFF grading him at 53.7 against the run and 57.1 as a pass rusher. It was another quiet performance from a defensive front that generated only 10 total pressures against SMU.
6. Chris Jones — 52.5
Jones experienced a major drop from his season-opening performance.
After earning Florida State’s highest PFF grade against New Mexico State, the linebacker finished with a 52.5 overall grade against SMU over 53 defensive snaps. His 73.9 tackling mark remained solid, but PFF gave him a 43.0 coverage grade.
5. Jordan Sanders — 50.7
The defensive tackle played 18 snaps and received a 51.3 run-defense mark and 56.5 pass-rush grade. Florida State’s defensive front struggled to consistently disrupt SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, and Sanders was among several linemen who finished near the bottom of the team’s grading report.
4. Micahi Danzy — 50.7
Danzy handled a significant workload at receiver but did not grade well overall.
The wideout played 64 of Florida State’s 69 offensive snaps and finished with a 50.7 overall grade. PFF gave him a 52.8 receiving mark and a 58.1 run-blocking grade.
3. Jalen Anderson — 47.3
Anderson struggled despite creating some pressure off the edge.
The defensive end played 31 snaps and recorded three total pressures, all credited as hurries, but finished with a 47.3 overall grade. His 48.7 coverage mark and 55.4 pass-rush grade contributed to one of the lowest defensive scores of the night.
2. Chase Loftin — 41.5
Loftin finished at the bottom of Florida State’s offensive grading sheet.
The tight end played seven offensive snaps and received a 41.5 overall grade. His 57.4 receiving grade was considerably better than his 38.1 run-blocking mark, which helped pull down his overall score.
1. Max Redmon — 37.1
Redmon received the lowest overall grade of any Florida State player who appeared against SMU.
The safety played 10 defensive snaps and finished with a 37.1 overall grade, including a 33.7 coverage mark. His tackling grade was much stronger at 79.5, but the limited sample ultimately produced the lowest overall mark on the roster.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Ten lowest-graded FSU players from Week 1 loss to SMU
