In a new series that CUSportsNation.com will be running over the next couple of weeks, we'll be going through the top offensive and defensive players in 2018 according to Pro Football Focus' analytics. We started with the defensive, and defensive end Mustafa Johnson comes in at No. 2 after a breakout sophomore season.
Note: Players needed to have seen 250 snaps in order to be on this list... 16 Buff defenders played 250+ snaps
2018 STATS
73 tackles (53 unassisted)
8.5 sacks
9 tackles for loss (does not include sacks)
16 quarterback pressures
1 fumble recovery
1 pass break up
TOP GAME OF THE SEASON
Johnson had some strong games in 2018, and according to PFF, his performance against New Hampshire was his best. He graded at 89.3 and recorded seven tackles, two sacks, and was simply a force stopping the run. Johnson also recorded games with a grade of 83+ against Oregon State and Cal.
OUTLOOK ON JOHNSON
Johnson was just a redshirt sophomore in 2018, so he has two more years to wreak havoc in the Pac-12. He was a first team All-Pac-12 performer according to the Associated Press. He was named top defensive player on the team voted by the coaching staff (along with Nate Landman). There will be plenty of hype surrounding Johnson as one of the top defensive linemen in the conference, and he will have high expectations. I have no doubts that Johnson will not only live up to those expectations, but exceed them. Johnson is a force in stopping the run and getting after the quarterback.
Top Buff defenders in 2018
No. 10 Rick Gamboa (65.8 grade)
No. 9 Derrion Rakestraw (70.5 grade)
No. 8 Evan Worthington (71.9 grade)
No. 7 Israel Antwine (72.3 grade)
No. 6 Delrick Abrams Jr. (72.5 grade)
No. 5 Davion Taylor (74.1 grade)
No. 4 Drew Lewis (74.7 grade)
No. 3 Javier Edwards (76.9 grade)
