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. Coming in at No. 5 is offensive tackle William Sherman.
Note: Players needed to have seen 100 snaps in order to be on this list... 19 Buff offensive players saw 100+ snaps
SHERMAN VS THE PAC-12
Here is how Sherman's offensive grades and advanced statistics stack up to other tackles in the Pac-12 that played a minimum of 300 targets (25 OTs qualify for this).
Overall season grade: No. 12
Pass block grade: No. 15
Run block grade: No. 17
Pressures allowed: 5th most with 21
Sacks allowed: 10th most with 2
TOP GAME OF THE SEASON
Sherman's top game of the season, according to PFF, came against Cal, as he scored a 74.5 grade. His pass block grade was 81.7 and his run block grade came in at 67.9. In looking at other games, Sherman had very strong pass blocking grades against Washington (86.1) and Oregon State (90.1). In the three games mentioned in this paragraph, Sherman only allowed one quarterback pressure.
OUTLOOK ON SHERMAN
Sherman was asked to do a lot as a redshirt freshman in 2018, and all things considering, he had a strong season. He's the Buffs' top returning offensive linemen and will be a staple for CU at left tackle. Sherman will be bigger, stronger, and more acclimated to the Pac-12 this upcoming fall, and the Allen, Texas native will be in for a breakout sophomore campaign.
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)
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)
