• Jeremiah Smith is the most effective in opposition to each man and zone protection: The true freshman leads the nation in PFF grade in opposition to man protection whereas his 9 receiving touchdowns in opposition to zone additionally lead the FBS.
• Jeremiyah Love is extremely exhausting to deal with: Notre Dame’s star working again’s 39% pressured missed deal with charge is second to solely Ashton Jeanty amongst FBS tailbacks.
• 2025 NFL Draft season is right here: Attempt PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and study 2025’s high prospects whereas buying and selling and drafting in your favourite NFL staff.
Estimated Studying Time: 10 minutes
As we proceed to preview the 2025 Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship sport between Notre Dame and Ohio State, it’s time to flex the muscular tissues of PFF’s database.
On this article, we’ll dive into greater than 60 knowledge factors to spotlight the most effective gamers in Monday’s title sport in particular matchups and conditions.
Finest PFF total grade: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love’s 91.6 PFF grade this season ranked third amongst FBS working backs, trailing solely two top-five Heisman candidates in Ashton Jeanty and Cam Skattebo.
Finest quarterback within the pocket: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard’s 83.1 PFF grade contained in the pocket ranked fifteenth amongst all signal-callers, whereas his 27 passing touchdowns tied for sixth.
Finest quarterback exterior the pocket: Will Howard, Ohio State
The previous Kansas State signal-caller’s 76.3 PFF passing grade exterior the pocket was a top-20 mark amongst FBS quarterbacks this season.
Finest tight-window passer: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard’s 9 big-time throws in tight home windows tied for seventh amongst all quarterbacks.
Finest red-zone quarterback: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Leonard’s 77.8 PFF grade within the crimson zone is a top-25 mark amongst FBS quarterbacks, primarily attributable to his dashing capability. His 150 dashing yards and 13 dashing touchdowns within the crimson zone path solely Jalen Milroe amongst Energy 4 signal-callers.
Finest quarterback in opposition to the blitz: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
The previous Duke quarterback’s 89.2 PFF grade in opposition to the blitz this season ranks sixth amongst all quarterbacks. He was considered one of solely three signal-callers in school soccer with 80.0-plus passing and dashing grades on such performs.
Finest quarterback at avoiding errors: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Leonard’s 2.1% turnover-worthy play charge locations twentieth amongst all quarterbacks, as he has dedicated solely 10 this season.
Finest downfield thrower: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard’s 96.0 PFF passing grade on deep throws is second to solely former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord amongst FBS quarterbacks. He has 19 big-time throws and only one turnover-worthy play on 20-plus-yard throws.
Finest QBs by Route
Display screen: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard accomplished 24 of 25 display screen passes this yr for 2 touchdowns.
Out: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard boasts a 78.7 PFF grade and an 84.9% adjusted completion charge on out routes this season.
Slant: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Leonard’s 4 passing touchdowns on slant routes this season are tied for probably the most within the nation.
Crossers: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard’s 85.7 PFF passing grade on crossing routes ranks twenty ninth amongst FBS quarterbacks. His 5 touchdowns are tied for fourth, and he has additionally thrown zero interceptions on crossers.
In: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard accomplished 11 of his 14 makes an attempt on in routes this yr for 207 yards.
Hitch: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard’s 560 passing yards on hitch routes tie him for sixteenth amongst all quarterbacks.
Comeback: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Leonard accomplished considered one of his two comeback routes this yr for 13 yards.
Put up: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard has two big-time throws on solely 5 publish makes an attempt this season.
Nook: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Leonard’s 94.3 PFF passing grade on nook routes ranks seventh amongst all quarterbacks, tossing two big-time throws on solely six makes an attempt.
Go: Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard’s 92.4 PFF passing grade on go routes is tied for sixth amongst all signal-callers in school soccer. He additionally ranks third in big-time throw charge (39.3%) on such performs.
Huge Receivers/Tight Ends
Finest red-zone receiver: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith’s seven receiving touchdowns within the crimson zone tie him for fifth amongst all receivers in school soccer.
Finest slot receiver: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka is tied for fourth within the FBS with 9 receiving touchdowns when lined up within the slot.
Finest deep receiver: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
The true freshman’s 94.5 deep receiving grade slots in at sixth amongst all vast receivers.
Finest receiver in opposition to man protection: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith warned defenses to not man up in opposition to him, and for good cause. His 91.2 PFF grade in opposition to man protection is the most effective mark in school soccer.
Finest receiver in opposition to zone protection: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith’s 766 receiving yards in opposition to zone protection are the third most amongst Energy 4 receivers, and his 9 receiving touchdowns lead the nation.
Finest WRs by Route
Display screen: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
The senior has caught all eight of his screens for 101 yards and a landing this season.
Out: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka ranks third amongst FBS receivers with an 89.7 PFF receiving grade on out routes, whereas his 198 receiving yards on such performs stand eighth.
Slant: Jordan Faison, Notre Dame
The lacrosse star has caught all six of his slant targets this yr for 79 yards and an 87.0 PFF total grade.
Crossers: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka owns a 90.1 PFF grade on crossing routes this yr and ranks thirteenth amongst FBS receivers with 184 yards on crossers.
In: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith sports activities a 90.5 PFF grade on in routes this season, with 5 catches for 108 yards.
Hitch: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
The highest total recruit within the 2024 highschool class has 210 receiving yards on hitch routes, rating twentieth amongst all school vast receivers.
Comeback: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
The true freshman has two catches for 18 yards on comeback routes this season.
Put up: Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Tate caught each of his publish targets this season for 54 yards and a landing.
Nook: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith locations fourth amongst FBS vast receivers with 124 receiving yards on nook routes and two receiving touchdowns on these routes this season.
Go: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith led all Energy 4 receivers with a 95.9 receiving grade on go routes, catching eight balls for 247 yards and 4 touchdowns on such performs.
Working Backs
Hardest working again to deal with: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love’s 39% pressured missed deal with charge trailed solely Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty amongst FBS working backs this season.
Finest pass-catching working again: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson locations twenty second amongst FBS tailbacks this yr with 286 receiving yards.
Finest red-zone working again: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love’s 82.7 PFF grade within the crimson zone is tied for fourth amongst all working backs in school soccer.
Largest home-run risk: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson is within the 98th percentile amongst FBS working backs in breakaway charge (15%), with 31 of his 133 carries going for 10-plus yards.
Tight Finish
Finest run-blocking tight finish: Gee Scott Jr., Ohio State
Scott’s 62.9 run-blocking grade ranks forty second amongst all tight ends this yr.
Finest red-zone TE: Cooper Flanagan, Notre Dame
Flanagan’s excellence within the crimson zone stems from his work within the run sport, the place he is posted an 80.8 PFF run-blocking grade.
Finest slot TE: Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Evans has 20 catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns from the slot, all of that are top-30 marks amongst FBS tight ends.
Finest deep TE: Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Evans has caught two of his 4 deep targets for 55 yards and a landing this season.
Offensive Line
Finest pass-blocking offensive lineman: Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
Schrauth’s 83.2 PFF pass-blocking grade ranks twentieth amongst Energy 4 guards this season. He has allowed only one sack on 330 snaps.
Finest run-blocking offensive lineman: Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
Wagner’s 77.9 PFF run-blocking grade this season ranks fifteenth amongst Energy 4 tackles.
Least-penalized offensive lineman: Rocco Spindler, Notre Dame
The proper guard hasn’t dedicated any penalties on 684 snaps this yr.
Finest in zone scheme: Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
The redshirt sophomore ranks thirty ninth amongst FBS tackles with a 79.0 PFF run-blocking grade on zone runs.
Finest in hole scheme: Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
The Preventing Irish’s proper deal with additionally locations thirty third within the nation with a 71.4 PFF grade on hole runs.
Finest move blocker on late downs: Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
Schrauth leads all Energy 4 guards with an 88.5 pass-blocking grade on third and fourth downs, having allowed only one strain on 89 snaps.
Finest on true move units: Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
Schrauth’s 78.1 PFF pass-blocking grade on true move units ranks twenty fourth amongst FBS guards, as he hasn’t allowed a sack or hit in these conditions.
Finest red-zone move blocker: Rocco Spindler, Notre Dame
Spindler hasn’t allowed a strain on 41 pass-blocking snaps within the crimson zone this yr.
Finest red-zone run blocker: Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
Wagner has earned a 76.0 PFF run-blocking grade within the crimson zone this season.
Finest total grade: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Sawyer’s 91.2 PFF grade is tied for fifth amongst all edge defenders in school soccer.
Surest tackler: LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Kiser’s 4% missed deal with charge ranks 14th amongst all linebackers.
Finest edge pass-rusher: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Sawyer’s 58 pressures are the tenth most amongst school edge defenders.
Finest edge run-defender: EDGE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Tuimoloau ranks seventh amongst FBS edge defenders with an 87.5 PFF run-defense grade.
Finest inside pass-rusher: DI Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
Cross ranks twenty eighth amongst FBS defensive tackles with a 74.7 PFF pass-rushing grade this season.
Finest inside run defender: DI Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Williams locations eighth amongst FBS defensive tackles with an 88.6 PFF run-defense grade this season.
Finest off-the-ball run defender: LB Cody Simon, Ohio State
Simon’s 90.4 PFF run-defense grade this season ranks third amongst all linebackers.
Finest protection linebacker: LB Cody Simon, Ohio State
Simon’s 76.3 PFF protection grade locations thirty fifth amongst school linebackers.
Finest ball-hawk: S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Watts has 13 interceptions over the previous two seasons, greater than some other participant in school soccer.
Finest cornerback in man protection: Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
The true freshman ranks third in PFF protection grade in man protection (83.8) amongst all cornerbacks, one spot forward of Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Finest cornerback in zone protection: Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Burke’s 78.9 PFF grade in zone protection is a top-40 mark amongst all cornerbacks in school soccer.
Finest slot cornerback: Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
Hancock’s 79.5 PFF grade within the slot locations fourth amongst Energy 4 defenders.
Finest field security: Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Ransom’s 79.1 PFF grade within the field ranks twelfth amongst FBS safeties.
Finest deep security: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs’ 87.9 PFF grade when lined up at free security locations sixth amongst all safeties in school soccer.
