NC State vs. Virginia Tech: Defensive PFF Grades Report (with notes)

NC State lost 23-21 to Virginia Tech on Saturday, falling to 3-2. Here’s a PFF Grade Report for the Wolfpack Defense in Week 5.

Redshirt Junior Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. – 78.9
Senior Cornerback Devon Marshall – 74.2
Senior Cornerback Jamel Johnson – 74.1
Redshirt Senior Defensive End Sabastian Harsh – 74.0
Redshirt Sophomore Safety Zack Myers – 73.7
Senior Nose Tackle Brandon Cleveland – 72.1
True Freshman Linebacker LaCorian Hodge – 71.4
Redshirt Freshman Strong Safety Brody Barnhardt – 70.7
Redshirt Sophomore Cornerback Brian Nelson II – 69.6
Redshirt Senior JACK Cian Slone – 67.2
Redshirt Freshman Nickel Asaad Brown – 65.2
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Caden Fordham – 62.8
Redshirt Senior Defensive End Travali Price – 61.7
Redshirt Freshman Defensive End Chase Bond – 60.2
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive End Isaiah Shirley – 59.6
Redshirt Senior Strong Safety JJ Johnson – 59.3
Redshirt Freshman Free Safety Ronnie Royal III – 50.2
Redshirt Senior JACK Tra Thomas – 49.5
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Sean Brown – 45.3

Notes

• This is Kenny Soares. Jr.’s first time finished with the highest grade on the defense.
  • Sabastian Harsh had the highest grade in the first two games, Isaiah Shirley was the highest graded player in Week 3 and Cian Slone earned the highest grade against Duke.
• Sean Brown has earned a sub-60 grade in 3 of the Wolfpack’s 5 games.
• Ronnie Royal has earned a sub-60 grade in 4 of NC State’s 5 games.
• Devon Marshall has yet to record a sub-60 grade.
• True Freshman LaCorian Hodge graded out well in his first defensive snaps of the season.
• Redshirt Sophomore Zack Myers graded out well in his first legitimate defensive snaps of the season.

Top-5 Through Week 5 (15% snaps or more)

1. Redshirt Senior JACK Cian Slone – 85.0
2. Senior Cornerback Devon Marshall – 78.8
3. Redshirt Senior Defensive End Sabastian Harsh – 78.4
4. Senior Nose Tackle Brandon Cleveland – 76.7
5. Redshirt Freshman Defensive End Chase Bond – 73.9

Bottom 5 Through Week 5 (15% snaps or more)

1. Redshirt Freshman Free Safety Ronnie Royal III – 46.2
2. Redshirt Freshman Strong Safety Brody Barnhardt – 56.0
3. Redshirt Senior Strong Safety JJ Johnson – 60.3
4. Redshirt Senior Defensive End Travali Price – 60.4
5. Junior Linebacker AJ Richardson – 60.8