PFF offers a different look at the top-performing FCS players outside of just the statistical leaders.
The website provides a more analytical look, providing grades for each player based on film.
Below are the highest-graded FCS players by position after Week 13.
Note: PFF isn’t the gospel or the de facto ranking of who the best players are, it’s just another tool to look at top performers based on the film and relative to the opponents they play. There is more context beyond film grades, just like there is more context beyond box scores and statistical leaders.
Highest-Graded FCS Quarterbacks
1. Cole Payton, NDSU – 97.0
2. Eddie Lee Marburger, UTRGV – 92.7
3. Braden Atkinson, Mercer – 92.2
4. Victor Gabalis, Tarleton State – 92.1
5. Beau Brungard, Youngstown State – 92.0
Monmouth’s Derek Robertson has a 92.1 grade, but he hasn’t played since Week 8.
Highest-Graded FCS Running Backs
1. Luke Yoder, Lehigh – 92.5
2. L.J. Phillips Jr., South Dakota – 91.7
t3. Joshua Dye, Southern Utah – 90.8
t3. Rodney Nelson, Monmouth – 90.8
t3. Julius Davis, Montana State – 90.8
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Highest-Graded FCS Wide Receivers
1. Nico Brown, Yale – 91.2
2. Bryce Lance, NDSU – 90.4
3. Josh Derry, Monmouth – 89.4
4. Treyvhon Saunders, Colgate – 89.3
5. Jalen Jones, Alabama State – 89.2
Highest-Graded FCS Tight Ends
1. Spencer Mermans, Yale – 90.1
2. Reis Kessel, NDSU – 86.8
3. Chris Corbo, Dartmouth – 85.1
4. Charlie Browder, ETSU – 78.6
5. Rocky Lencioni, Montana State – 77.0
Highest-Graded FCS Centers
1. Colby Reph, Lehigh – 82.3
2. Jack Ziebell, Northern Colorado – 79.6
3. Mark Chapman, Columbia – 78.9
4. John Ohnegian, Bucknell – 77.4
5. Aidan Kilstrom, Harvard – 76.2
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Highest-Graded FCS Guards
1. Chris Moreno, Monmouth – 81.4
2. Langston Jones, Lehigh – 80.7
3. Shalik Hubbard, Monmouth – 80.1
4. Karl Khuns, CCSU – 79.1
5. Griffin Empey, NDSU – 78.6
Highest-Graded FCS Tackles
1. Delby Lemieux, Dartmouth – 84.1
2. JT Cornelius, Monmouth – 80.0
3. Braden Zimmer, Montana State – 79.6
4. Xavier Jennings, Mercer – 77.6
5. Seth Anderson, North Dakota – 77.4
Highest-Graded FCS Cornerbacks
1. Carsten Mamaril, Portland State – 89.9
2. Jalen Mayo, SFA – 89.6
3. Jalen Edwards, Lafayette – 88.9
4. Jeremiah McClendon, Southern Illinois – 88.7
t5. Vincent Nwachi, Maine – 88.2
t5. Andrew Smith, Tennessee Tech – 88.2
Highest-Graded FCS Safeties
1. Maximus Pulley, Wofford – 92.8
2. Vincent Firenze, Dayton – 91.7
t3. Cam Chapa, Northern Colorado – 91.5
t3. Harrison Keith, Dartmouth – 91.5
5. Colin Douglas, Saint Francis – 91.0
Highest-Graded FCS Linebackers
1. Nate Fischer, San Diego – 92.8
2. Slade Dollar, SEMO – 91.8
3. Brycen Edwards, Lehigh – 91.5
4. James Conway, Fordham – 90.9
5. Montreze Smith Jr., Austin Peay – 90.5
Highest-Graded FCS Edge Defenders
1. Stephen Sergio, Georgetown – 91.6
2. Lamont Lester Jr., Monmouth – 91.5
3. James Stewart, Tennessee State – 90.7
4. Andrew Zock, Mercer – 90.2
5. Thomas Johnson, NC Central – 89.9
Highest-Graded FCS Interior Defenders
1. Sam Buerkle, Fordham – 90.9
2. Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State – 90.4
3. Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern – 90.0
4. DeSean Watts, Sac State – 89.0
5. Brandon Maina, Wofford – 87.2
