Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded Buckeyes for Ohio State’s win over Northwestern included Jack Sawyer, Will Howard, a pair of linebackers and a running back.
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Jack Sawyer, Will Howard and Cody Simon Are Pro Football Focus’ Highest-Graded Buckeyes Against Northwestern
The Top Five
1. DE Jack Sawyer (91.8)
Earning his highest grade of the season, Sawyer takes the top spot in this weekly feature for the first time. With an overall grade of 91.8, Sawyer was PFF's best-rated defensive player in the B1G for Week 12.
One of Sawyer's standout plays was his forced fumble that ended Northwestern's promising opening drive of the game. The Wildcats were threatening at the Buckeyes' 18-yard line when Sawyer popped Jack Lausch and dispossessed him of the ball for a forced fumble that Davison Igbinosun recovered.
2. QB Will Howard (90.5)
This is Howard's fourth appearance in the weekly top five and the second time for the signal-caller to earn the team's best score by an offensive player. Completing 15 of his 24 passes with two touchdowns, Howard had a passing grade of 90.6 and an overall offensive grade of 90.5, which were both tops in the Big Ten for quarterbacks with at least 10 passing attempts last week.
Howard's pass efficiency rating for the season is 181.9. That ranks second in program history for quarterbacks with eight or more starts. He is currently behind C.J Stroud (186.6, 2021) and just ahead of Justin Fields (181.4, 2019).
3. LB Cody Simon (82.2)
Cody Simon makes the top five for the third time this season and the second time in three weeks. Like the previous two occasions when Simon made this list, he lands in the third spot. This is the second time this season for Simon to get a grade above 80.
4. RB Quinshon Judkins (79.7)
Crossing the goal line twice helped Judkins get the highest offensive grade (79.7) and highest rushing grade (78.9) among running backs in the Big Ten in Week 12. This is the first time for Judkins to crack the top five since he did so against Marshall in Week 3.
5. LB Sonny Styles (77.6)
Making his season debut in the top five, Styles' overall grade was boosted by his coverage play against Northwestern. PFF gave the former safety a team-high grade of 78.8 in coverage plays.
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Just sayin':
1) Nice to see Donovan Jackson's rating improved from previous game.
2) Go to the link to see everyone's rating, etc.