After marching through the top 10 defensive players in 2018 the past couple of weeks, CUSportsNation.com now looks at the top 10 offensive players. The ranking is according to the analytics/grades according to Pro Football Focus. Running back Travon McMillian takes the No. 3 spot.
Note: Players needed to have seen 100 snaps in order to be on this list... 19 Buff offensive players saw 100+ snaps
2018 STATS
Played in all 12 games
201 rushing attempts
1,009 rushing yards
7 touchdowns
5.02 yards per attempt
84.1 yards per game
43 avoided tackles
3.8 yards after contact per rushing attempt
763 yards after contact
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14 receptions
118 yards
1 TD
MCMILLIAN VS THE PAC-12
Here is how McMillian's offensive grades and advanced statistics stack up to other running backs in the Pac-12 that had a minimum of 100 rushing attempts (15 RBs qualify for this).
Overall season grade: No. 11
Rushing grade: No. 10
Fumble grade: No. 8
Yards after contact: No. 2
Avoided tackles: No. 6
First down rushes: No. 9
Elusive rating: No. 5
The PFF "Elusive Rating" distills the success and impact of a runner with the ball independently of the blocking in front of him by looking at how hard he was to bring down...... The Formula: (Missed Tackles Forced) / (Designed Run Attempts + Receptions) * (Yards After Contact Per Attempt * 100)
TOP GAME OF THE SEASON
McMillian's top game of the 2018 season came against New Hampshire, as he ran for a season-high 162 yards on 15 attempts and two touchdowns. He ran for a 75 yard touchdown, which tied his season-high for a single carry (also did so against Oregon State). McMillian had a single game grade of 85.3 versus New Hampshire and 136 of his yards came after contact.
OUTLOOK ON MCMILLIAN
McMillian came to Colorado as a one-year rental graduate transfer, replacing Buffs' legend Phillip Lindsay. The former Virginia Tech Hokie had a strong season, eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards. As far as McMillian's pro hopes go, he could be a late-round NFL draft pick, but more likely a practice squad pick up. In the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, McMillian ran for 12 yards on two carries and caught three passes for 24 yards.
Top Buff Offensive Players in 2018
No. 10 Tony Brown (60.2 grade)
No. 9 Colby Pursell (60.9 grade)
No. 8 Aaron Haigler (62.7 grade)
No. 7 Josh Kaiser (63.5 grade)
No. 6 Juwann Winfree (67.7 grade)
No. 5 William Sherman (70.0 grade)
No. 4 KD Nixon (70.5 grade)
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)
No. 2 Mustafa Johnson (82.7 grade)
No. 1 Nate Landman (86.1 grade)
