Caden Curry, Tyleik Williams and Jack Sawyer Lead Pro Football Focus’ Highest-Graded Players for Ohio State’s Season Opener vs. Akron

Following the game against Akron on Saturday, many of us came away with opinions on how Ohio State's players performed. One such set of opinions comes from Pro Football Focus, who grades every player after every game based on how they perform on a snap-to-snap basis.

We compiled the PFF grades for every Buckeye who played on either offense or defense in the season opener and highlight the five highest-graded players – all of whom were on the defensive side of the ball – who played at least 10 snaps against Akron.

1. DE Caden Curry (83.9)

Curry tallied one tackle, had a quarterback pressure and forced a fumble that Lathan Ransom returned for a touchdown in his season debut. PFF rated him as the best Ohio State player to hit the field on Saturday for his efforts; the scouting service was particularly impressed with his run defense, giving him an 84.9 grade against the run vs. Akron.

2. DT Tyleik Williams (81.8)

Williams was second on the team with seven tackles and was also credited with a sack and a quarterback hurry. He was the Buckeyes’ highest-graded run defender with a run-defense grade of 87.3.

3. DE Jack Sawyer (81.2)

The defensive end from Pickerington impressed PFF with his pass-rushing as Sawyer hit Akron's quarterback three times and four total quarterback pressures to go along with a pair of tackles.

4. CB Denzel Burke (78.5)

With an interception and four tackles, Burke earned the top score in the secondary. He gave up just one catch for 19 yards on 30 coverage snaps.

5. S Lathan Ransom (77.8)

Ransom had a 27-yard scoop and score and led all Buckeyes with nine tackles, grading out as Ohio State’s best tackler for the game (83.4). Caleb Downs, on the other hand, received a grade of only 63.2 for his first game as a Buckeye as PFF attributed three missed tackles to Ohio State’s starting free safety.

Offensive Ratings By Position

Quarterbacks

Will Howard: 74.1 (56 snaps)
Devin Brown: 52.3 (10 snaps)

Running Backs

James Peoples: 76.6 (10 snaps)
Quinshon Judkins: 74.4 (30 snaps)
TreVeyon Henderson: 69.4 (24 snaps)
Sam Williams-Dixon: 57.7 (3 snaps)

Wide Receivers

Jayden Ballard: 72.5 (8 snaps)
Jeremiah Smith: 71.8 (43 snaps)
Emeka Egbuka: 69.2 (50 snaps)
Bryson Rodgers: 69.1 (10 snaps)
Carnell Tate: 60.2 (56 snaps)
Kojo Antwi: 56.5 (9 snaps)
Brandon Inniss: 54.8 (16 snaps)

Tight Ends

Will Kacmarek: 58.6 (20 snaps)
Bennett Christian: 56.7 (9 snaps)
Patrick Gurd: 56.4 (5 snaps)
Gee Scott Jr.: 54.5 (19 snaps)
Jelani Thurman: 53.1 (18 snaps)

Offensive Line

Josh Fryar: 70.1 (62 snaps)
Josh Simmons: 69.2 (62 snaps)
Carson Hinzman: 68.7 (10 snaps)
Tegra Tshabola: 68.6 (56 snaps)
Seth McLaughlin: 65.6 (62 snaps)
Zen Michalski: 62.6 (4 snaps)
Austin Siereveld: 61.4 (66 snaps)
George Fitzpatrick: 60.7 (4 snaps)
Luke Montgomery: 60.7 (4 snaps)

Defensive Ratings by Position

Defensive Ends

Caden Curry: 83.9 (16 snaps)
Jack Sawyer: 81.2 (31 snaps)
Eddrick Houston: 77.6 (11 snaps)
Kenyatta Jackson Jr.: 74.7 (22 snaps)
Mitchell Melton: 69.1 (15 snaps)
JT Tuimoloau: 65.6 (30 snaps)
Dominic Kirks: 59.9 (2 snaps)
Joshua Mickens: 51.6 (8 snaps)

Defensive Tackles

Tyleik Williams: 81.8 (40 snaps)
Tywone Malone: 69.2 (4 snaps)
Ty Hamilton: 65.9 (35 snaps)
Bryce Prater: 60.5 (3 snaps)
Hero Kanu: 59.9 (9 snaps)
Kayden McDonald: 58.1 (17 snaps)
Will Smith Jr.: 49.9 (7 snaps)
Eric Mensah: 38.3 (2 snaps)
Jason Moore: 37.4 (7 snaps)

Linebackers

Gabe Powers: 91.3 (5 snaps)
Arvell Reese: 74.0 (32 snaps)
Sonny Styles: 72.4 (55 snaps)
C.J. Hicks: 54.0 (33 snaps)
Payton Pierce: 47.6 (5 snaps)

Cornerbacks

Denzel Burke: 78.5 (49 snaps)
Jermaine Mathews Jr.: 73.9 (19 snaps)
Jordan Hancock: 73.6 (54 snaps)
Lorenzo Styles Jr.: 68.8 (12 snaps)
Aaron Scott Jr.: 64.6 (10 snaps)
Davison Igbinosun: 61.3 (52 snaps)

Safeties

Lathan Ransom: 77.8 (55 snaps)
Jaylen McClain: 65.8 (10 snaps)
Caleb Downs: 63.2 (55 snaps)
Malik Hartford: 63.2 (10 snaps)