Florida State’s defense has been difficult to pin down through seven games. The Seminoles have produced stretches of dominant pass rush, including a 10-sack performance against Virginia, but have also struggled to consistently stop the run and prevent explosive plays.
Even with those team-wide inconsistencies, several defenders have put together strong individual seasons. The top of Pro Football Focus’ grades features a mix of veteran defensive backs and a defensive front that has been responsible for much of FSU’s disruption. Ashlynd Barker leads the group, while transfer edge Rylan Kennedy has quickly become one of the defense’s most productive additions.
Here are Florida State’s 10 highest-graded defensive players among its regular contributors
through seven games.
10. Omar Graham Jr. — 61.1
Graham has played 236 defensive snaps while handling multiple responsibilities at linebacker. He posted nine tackles and a tackle for loss against SMU and added four tackles with half a sack against Virginia. PFF has given him a 71.3 tackling grade, his strongest mark through seven games.
9. Caleb LaVallee — 62.5
LaVallee has been used in multiple situations across 164 defensive snaps, including 80 against the run and 74 in coverage. His season grade has been driven primarily by a 63.6 run-defense mark and a 62.6 coverage grade.
8. Kevin Wynn — 63.7
Wynn has played 159 snaps in FSU’s defensive tackle rotation, with most of that work coming against the run. His 76.5 tackling grade stands out, while PFF has also given him a 68.2 run-defense mark through seven games.
7. Quindarrius Jones — 63.8
Jones has logged 264 snaps at cornerback and has been especially effective supporting the run defense. His 90.4 run-defense grade is one of the highest individual marks on the entire team, although his 57.5 coverage grade has kept his overall number down.
6. Daniel Lyons — 64.3
Lyons has handled one of the larger workloads along the defensive line with 290 snaps. His biggest contribution has come as a pass rusher, where his 72.8 grade accompanies 13 pressures, including two sacks and 10 hurries.
5. Mandrell Desir — 64.8
Desir has handled one of the larger workloads along the defensive line with 290 snaps. His biggest contribution has come as a pass rusher, where his 72.8 grade accompanies 13 pressures, including two sacks and 10 hurries.
4. Deante McCray — 66.7
McCray has been part of FSU’s regular interior rotation, playing 218 snaps split almost evenly between run defense and pass rushing. He has generated seven pressures, including a sack, while carrying a 66.4 run-defense grade.
3. Darryll Desir — 72.6
Desir has earned a 72.6 overall grade across 107 defensive snaps. His strongest work has come as a pass rusher, where he owns a 73.1 grade and has produced four pressures on 55 pass-rush snaps.
2. Rylan Kennedy — 72.9
Kennedy has combined production with efficiency off the edge, generating a team-high 22 pressures, including six sacks and 14 hurries. His 73.1 pass-rush grade is complemented by an 80.8 tackling grade, making him one of FSU’s most complete defenders through seven games.
1. Ashlynd Barker — 74.5
Barker has been FSU’s highest-graded regular defender across 311 snaps. His 77.2 coverage grade leads his profile, while he has also generated three pressures and earned a 70.2 pass-rush grade when asked to attack the quarterback.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU’s highest-graded defensive players through seven weeks
