Highest and Lowest Graded Players From Florida State's Loss To Miami

Who had success and who struggled in Florida State's seventh loss of the season?

Oct 26, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Brock Glenn (11) run with the football against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Florida State is out of the picture for a bowl game with four games remaining in the 2024 season. The Seminoles have officially been eliminated from postseason contention - before the calendar flips to November - for the third time in Mike Norvell's five years in Tallahassee. To make matters worse, FSU slipped from its top spot in the Sunshine State with its 36-14 defeat to the Miami Hurricanes.

This one never really felt close as the Seminoles failed to reach 300 yards for the 11th straight game dating back to last season. True freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek led the team in rushing, with the majority of his 71 yards coming on the lone touchdown drive. As for the defense, Florida State limited Miami to a season-low in points but surrendered 445 yards, 8/14 third-down conversion attempts, and 5/5 scoring in the red zone.

READ MORE: Blue-Chip Wide Receiver Decommits From Florida State Following 1-7 Start

We're going to continue exploring this relatively new idea we started last season and dive into the highest and lowest-graded Seminoles on both sides of the ball from the loss. All of the information below was gathered via Pro Football Focus.

How Does PFF Grade Players?

PFF employs 600 full or part-time analysts who grade every single snap by every single player on offense, defense, and special teams during the game. The grades are calculated on a per-play basis where each play is broken down to grades of -2 to +2 in 0.5 increments. An average or expected play would result in a grade of zero, a game-ending turnover would bring in a grade of -2, and a perfect touchdown throw to win a game would be worth +2.

These apply to every single player on every play. For instance, a quarterback throwing a good pass that is dropped by a wide receiver would earn a positive grade. The wide receiver who dropped the ball would receive a negative grade while the offensive tackle protecting the blind side would get positive marks as well.

Obviously, PFF can't be certain on the assignments of every given player on a play but they grade on what the player is attempting to do. Plays in which there is a question mark can be deferred to as a zero. Hopefully, this provides a little bit of clarification on some of the details you'll view below.

OFFENSE:

Highest Graded Players:

1. Robert Scott (79.6) - 63 snaps

Scott made his third start of the season with Darius Washington sidelined due to an injury. He played all but one snap, grading out as the top overall offensive player and adding an 87.9 pass blocking grade.

2. Brian Courtney (73.2) - 8 snaps

Courtney only played eight snaps but had the second-highest run-blocking grade on the team (77.0).

3. Amaree Williams (67.7) - 21 snaps

Williams made the second catch of his career in the fourth quarter, coming down with a tough grab for a 27-yard gain.

4. Brock Glenn (66.4) - 26 snaps

Glenn started the game but was replaced by Luke Kromenhoek after two drives. He returned in the final frame, leading a touchdown drive with a throw to Malik Benson. Glenn completed 5/18 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown while adding five rushes for 22 yards.

5. Malik Benson (66.3) - 29 snaps

Benson caught the first touchdown of his Florida State career, finishing with three catches for 21 yards and a score.

Lowest Graded Players:

5. Kentron Poitier (53.3) - 22 snaps

Poitier didn't record a catch in the loss. He was wide open on a fourth down play but Kromenhoek didn't spot him.

4. Maurice Smith (49.5) - 64 snaps

Smith struggled with his snaps once again and was called for a holding penalty that put the offense behind the chains.

3. Elijah Moore (45.6) - 13 snaps

Moore saw the most extensive action of his young career but dropped a contested catch over the middle.

2. BJ Gibson (45.3) - 16 snaps

Gibson was credited with a drop as he earned his most snaps of the season.

1. Hykeem Williams (42.6) - 21 snaps

Williams did not record a catch in the loss.

Full Grades:

Pro Football Focus

DEFENSE:

Highest Graded Players:

1. Omar Graham Jr. (77.0) - 46 snaps

Graham Jr. was arguably the top performer on FSU's defense in the defeat, recording four tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup. He looked like one of the few players on the roster who cared.

2. Ashlynd Barker (74.6) - 19 snaps

Despite exiting the game due to an injury after a scary collision, Barker totaled three tackles.

3. Darrell Jackson (73.3) - 51 snaps

Jackson had his most productive outing of the year, finishing with three tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks against his former team.

4. Edwin Joseph (71.9) - 32 snaps

Joseph delivered a couple of big hits. He was credited with three tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack.

5. Aaron Hester (70.8) - 5 snaps

Hester saw action late in the game but wasn't credited with any statistics.

Lowest Graded Players:

5. Shyheim Brown (54.6) - 54 snaps

Brown recorded three tackles but graded out as the second-worst defender in regards to rushing defense (46.8) and tackling (49.7).

4. Joshua Farmer (53.8) - 47 snaps

Farmer wasn't credited with any statistics in the defeat despite playing 54% of the defensive snaps.

3. Marvin Jones Jr. (52.0) - 52 snaps

Jones Jr. recorded one tackle despite playing 61.9% of the defensive snaps.

2. Cam Riley (46.6) - 40 snaps

Riley graded out as the worst defender on the team in regards to rushing defense (45.8) and tackling (31.4).

1. Quindarrius Jones (45.2) - 28 snaps

Jones commited a pass interference penalty and surrendered another catch. He recorded two tackles.

Full Grades:

Pro Football Focus

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READ MORE: Luke Kromenhoek's Legs Spark Florida State's First Touchdown Drive Against Miami

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