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 outside linebacker Davion Taylor comes in at No. 5.
Note: Players needed to have seen 250 snaps in order to be on this list... 16 Buff defenders played 250+ snaps
2018 STATS
75 tackles (third most on the team)
11 tackles for loss
1 sack
3 pass break ups
1 fumble return TD
12 tackles vs Washington State was the most by any CU player in 2018
TOP GAME OF THE SEASON
Davion Taylor scored an 82.6 grade in the Arizona State game, according to Pro Football Focus. In 49 snaps, Taylor had six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass break up. He was thrown at four times and three of those passes were completed but they went four a total of four yards. Taylor did not miss any tackles against the Sun Devils.
OUTLOOK ON TAYLOR
Taylor had pretty high expectations coming into his first season at CU, and I think he met them. He's a very athletic linebacker who runs like a safety and is a sure tackler. He did struggle down the stretch of the year with his tackling though, as seven of his eight missed tackles on the year came in the final four games of the season. Still, missing just eight tackles in 12 games is pretty solid for someone who played as much as he did. As a recruit, a few SEC schools wanted Taylor, and I bet Coach Mel Tucker, who comes to CU from that conference, will really like Taylor. I expect a big senior season from him.
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)
