South Carolina ended Tennessee’s playoff hopes by handing the Vols their second loss of the season Saturday night in Columbia.
The Gamecocks mediocre offense torched Tennessee for nine touchdowns in 10 offensive drives that didn’t end a half.
If you need a reminder on how Pro Football Focus works, read the opening of the Ball State grades.
Let’s see how the Vols graded out.
Elite grade = 90-100, All-Conference = 85-89, Starter = 70-84, Backup = 60-69, Replaceable = 60 >
Offensive Grades (minimum of 23 plays — 30% of offensive plays)
QB Hendon Hooker — 78.7 (67 plays)
TE Princeton Fant — 72.2 (30 plays)
WR Squirrel White — 70.9 (33 plays)
C Cooper Mays — 69.6 (84 plays)
RB Jaylen Wright — 68.9 (33 plays)
LG Jerome Carvin — 68.1 (84 plays)
LT Gerald Mincey — 67.4 (84 plays)
WR Cedric Tillman — 64.7 (84 plays)
RT Darnell Wright — 63.1 (84 plays)
WR Ramel Keyton — 61.9 (32 plays)
RB Jabari Small — 61.7 (43 plays)
WR Jalin Hyatt — 59.1 (82 plays)
RG Javontez Spraggins — 56.4 (84 plays)
WR Bru McCoy — 55.4 (51 plays)
TE Jacob Warren — 50.2 (24 plays)
If Hendon Hooker’s injury does end his Tennessee career it is fitting that he graded out as the highest Vol in his final game. He wasn’t his best Saturday but he wasn’t Tennessee’s problem in Columbia.
The Vols played more receivers that they have in any non blowout win this season. Five different Vols played over 33 snaps and Ramel Keyton played over Bru McCoy for most of the second half.
Tennessee’s offensive line graded out better than I expected.
More From RTI: Defensive Ineptitude Downs Tennessee At South Carolina
Defense (23 plays — 30% of defensive plays)
STAR Wesley Walker — 69.1 (24 plays)
DE Roman Harrison — 68.4 (29 plays)
STAR Tamarion McDonald — 68.2 (67 plays)
S Jaylen McCollough — 66.1 (81 plays)
DE Byron Young — 65.7 (59 plays)
LB Aaron Beasley — 63.8 (73 plays)
DE Bryson Eason — 62.8 (28 plays)
DT LaTrell Bumphus — 61.1 (34 plays)
DT Omari Thomas — 59.6 (33 plays)
S Trevon Flowers — 58.6 (70 plays)
DE Tyler Baron — 55.8 (38 plays)
CB Christian Charles — 54.2 (30 plays)
LB Juwan Mitchell — 53.9 (72 plays)
CB Brandon Turnage — 50.1 (37 plays)
DE Josh Josephs — 49.5 (23 plays)
CB Kamal Hadden — 45.6 (64 plays)
CB Doneiko Slaughter — 38.0 (29 plays)
Three of Tennessee’s five lowest graded players were cornerbacks. That matches what happened at Williams-Brice Stadium. Just an abysmal performance from that group.
Kamal Hadden earned a 45.6 grade which was, ironically, equal to the amount of times he talked trash after giving up a completion.
PFF’s grading scale is unfair for how it designates what level to play players have. However, PFF’s grades saying every Tennessee defender graded out as a back up or worse seems on the money.
