Ohio State defensive player-by-player PFF grades for Minnesota game

With a dominant 37-3 victory over Minnesota on Saturday afternoon Ohio State has moved to 11-0 headed into the season defining matchup against Michigan next week.

The Buckeyes’ defense has established itself as one of the best in all of college football and this performance further cemented that. After allowing three points to Minnesota, Ohio State has allowed just 102 points in 11 games (9.3 allowed per game).

In this article we break down each defensive position group’s performance using Pro Football Focus grades for each player. Though not the ultimate measuring stick, PFF is a good tool because it grades every player on every play.

Interior Defensive Line

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (91) reacts after a defensive stop during the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Ohio State Buckeyes won 41-7.

Starter: Tyleik Williams

PFF Grade | 64.4 (31 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 1 pressure on 14 pass rush snaps

Starter: Ty Hamilton

PFF Grade | 69.5 (31 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 pressures on 16 pass rush snaps

Other: Jaden McKenzie

PFF Grade | 67.9 (11 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackles, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps

Other: Hero Kanu

PFF Grade | 56.4 (9 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle, 0 pressures on 3 pass rush snaps

Other: Kayden McDonald

PFF Grade | 60.4 (6 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps

Other: Tywone Malone

PFF Grade | 71.3 (6 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps

What It Means

Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton were a big part of containing the Golden Gophers rushing attack as they combined for five stops.

Edge Rushers

Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Jordan Nubin (30) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium.

Starter: Jack Sawyer

PFF Grade | 91.8 (32 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, forced fumble, 5 pressures and 1 sack on 14 pass rush snaps

Starter: J.T. Tuimoloau

PFF Grade | 56.7 (29 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, fumble recovery, 0 pressures on 14 pass rush snaps

Other: Kenyatta Jackson

PFF Grade | 61.1 (14 snaps)
Stats | 1 assisted tackle, 1 pressure and 1 sack on 6 pass rush snaps

Other: Caden Curry

PFF Grade | 76.9 (9 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 1 pressure and 1 sack on 3 pass rush snaps

Other: Omari Abor

PFF Grade | 57.8 (6 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps

Other: Mitchell Melton

PFF Grade | 65.2 (6 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 pressures on 4 pass rush snaps

What It Means

Jack Sawyer had one of the best individual defensive performances for the Buckeyes this season as he not only had a strip sack but also five pressures.

Linebackers

Oct. 7, 2023; Columbus, Oh., USA;DUPLICATE***Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (30) and Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) celebrate after a play during the second half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium.

Starter: Cody Simon

PFF Grade | 78.9 (34 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 batted pass

Starter: Steele Chambers

PFF Grade | 68.6 (34 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 2 assisted tackles

Other: Gabe Powers

PFF Grade | 76.2 (14 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles

Other: C.J. Hicks

PFF Grade | 65.3 (14 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 1 assisted tackle

What It Means

With Tommy Eichenberg out, Cody Simon started for the second straight week and was third highest graded Buckeye defender.

Cornerbacks

Oct 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jordan Hancock (7) celebrates a sack during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium.

Starter: Denzel Burke

PFF Grade | 58.9 (34 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 1 targets on 16 coverage snaps

Starter: Davison Igbinosun

PFF Grade | 50.3 (34 snaps)
Stats | 3 tackles, 3 receptions allowed on 4 targets for 49 yards on 17 coverage snaps

Starter: Jordan Hancock

PFF Grade | 82.0 (28 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 pressure, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets and 1 INT on 16 coverage snaps

Other: Jermaine Mathews Jr.

PFF Grade | 64.7 (14 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets on 6 coverage snaps

Other: Calvin Simpson-Hunt

PFF Grade | 59.8 (14 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 reception allowed on 2 targets for 12 yards on 6 coverage snaps

Other: Ryan Turner

PFF Grade | 73.1 (14 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 2 receptions allowed on 2 targets for 12 yards on 6 coverage snaps

What It Means

Jordan Hancock was the biggest bright spot of the Buckeye secondary on Saturday as he made an excellent instinctive play for a third quarter interception.

Safeties

Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Zach Evans (26) during the first half of their game on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Ohio Stadium.

Starter: Josh Proctor

PFF Grade | 71.2 (34 snaps)
Stats | 2 tackles, 1 reception allowed on 2 targets for 10 Yards and 1 PBU on 17 coverage snaps

Starter: Sonny Styles

PFF Grade | 52.4 (34 snaps)
Stats | 1 tackle, 0 receptions allowed on 1 target on 15 coverage snaps

Other: Ja’Had Carter

PFF Grade | 55.1 (17 snaps)
Stats | 1 assisted tackle, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets on 4 coverage snaps

Other: Malik Hartford

PFF Grade | 64.7 (14 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets on 8 coverage snaps

Other: Kye Stokes

PFF Grade | 61.2 (3 snaps)
Stats | 0 tackles, 0 receptions allowed on 0 targets on 2 coverage snaps

What It Means

Josh Proctor returned as a starter this week after missing the Michigan State game with an injury.

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