NC State defense initial snap counts and PFF grades vs. VMI

NC State’s defense played just 49 snaps against VMI. Aside from the Keydets’ lone touchdown drive, the Wolfpack locked down and allowed very little momentum for the opposition.

For the second-consecutive week, Davin Vann leads the defense’s Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade sheet at 89.6. He recorded 0 tackles, but VMI certainly felt his impact in the backfield. The lineman finished the game with 4 quarterback pressures.

A total of 25 defensive players saw the field Saturday. Here are the snap counts and PFF grades for each of them.

NameSnap countPassRunGradeDavin Vann2216689.6Devon Betty2718989.3Payton Wilson38281086.5Robert Kennedy44301483.5Jayland Parker30383.5Jaylon Scott43291483.4Nick Campbell30380.7Kamal Bonner30378.2Savion Jackson1812676.2Sean Brown 27171067.7Bishop Fitzgerald2215765.5Caden Fordham2617964.8Cecil Powell168864.4Jordan Poole30361.1Shyheim Battle46321460.7Darius Edmundson52360.6C.J. Clark1812660.4Travali Price2820860.3Teshaun Smith30360.0Brandon Cleveland2416858.9Devan Boykin3324958.8Red Hibbler1711658.3Noah Potter179854.2Renté Hinton38251350.4Brandon Cisse1511428.8

Takeaways from NC State’s defensive snap counts and PFF grades

*** This was a great bounce back game for Betty. After recording a 37.0 PFF grade against Notre Dame, he finished with a fantastic 89.3 mark Saturday. He made 2 total tackles, including 0.5 for loss, thriving in run support and notching a 89.9 grade in that area. NC State needs consistency from the MIKE position, and Betty took a step forward.

*** All 3 of NC State’s starting linebackers finished with an 83.4 PFF grade or higher. Scott played nearly every snap, while Betty and Wilson rotated a little more.

*** Fitzgerald’s grade took a hit after missing his only tackle attempt of the contest, per PFF. He split snaps with Brown almost equally.

*** VMI threw at Battle twice, but both passes fell incomplete. He is having a great season, but PFF credits him with a missed tackle, which hurt his grade quite a bit.

*** Backup cornerbacks Hinton and Cisse both allowed explosive passing plays Saturday. Cisse allowed 3 completions on 4 targets, per PFF. Hinton gave up a 44 reception, but his other 2 targets fell incomplete.

*** Kennedy blitzed the quarterback 5 times, finishing the matchup with 1.5 sacks and an 81.0 pass rushing grade.

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