Notioriously anti-white Pro Football Focus had some good things to say about some white defensive players not playing in a power 5 conference. Take it for what it's worth but it's always good to see our guys get positive press.
Kyler Fackrell, Utah State +39.7
Fackrell is one of the most truly versatile edge defenders in the nation. He has been equally dominant in both rushing the passer and stopping the run, while also flashing ability in coverage. His best game came against Boise State in Week 7, where he recorded one quarterback hit, four hurries and six total defensive stops. In addition, he tackled the receiver for a loss on the only reception he allowed in that game.
Key stat: Fackrell’s Pass Rushing Productivity rating of 15.0 is sixth among 3-4 outside linebackers in the nation as he recorded 33 total pressures on 168 pass rush snaps.
Calvin Munson, San Diego State +32.7
Munson was one of the most exceptionally versatile linebackers in college football. He ranks among the best 25 linebackers in the nation in rushing the passer, coverage and run defense as well. He did, however, have a brief slump in Weeks 2 and 3, he graded out above +1.0 in 8 of his last 10 games. He recorded three sacks, two hits and two hurries in Week 7 against San Jose State.
Key stat: He allowed a passer rating of 42.7, the second lowest in the nation among linebackers who were targeted at least 20 times.
Tyler Gray, Boise State +27.3
It says a lot about Gray’s season that he was our 12th highest-graded linebacker in the nation despite playing fewer snaps than anyone else in the top 35. Although he played only a limited role on the Boise State defense, Gray did not have a single negatively graded game in 2015. Furthermore, he earned his highest grade in Week 3 against Idaho State when he played only 29 snaps of the possible 94.
Key stat: Gray has the best tackling efficiency among 4-3 outside linebackers in the entire nation as he did not miss a single tackle on 388 snaps.
Nate Holley, Kent State +22.7
Next to Alozie, we have a true run stopper, as Holley earned the second-highest run defense grade among safeties in the entire nation. Holley was one of the more consistent safeties in college football, grading out above +1.0 in 9 of his 12 games. Despite being a safety, Holley led the Kent State defense in defensive stops with 36.
Key stat: Holley recorded a stop on 7.4 percent of his run snaps, the eighth-best ratio among safeties in college football.
