The highest- and lowest-graded LSU Tigers stars from the win over the Texas A&M Aggies.
The LSU Tigers had a much-needed bounce-back performance against the Texas A&M Aggies this past weekend. There was a lot to like on both sides of the ball, but the coaching staff is still going to need to focus on the areas to improve as well.
Pro Football Focus releases grades for each game that encapsulate the performance of each player, ranging from zero to 100. Here are the highest and lowest grades from the day:
Highest on Offense: WR Jackson Harris - 92.0
This was a true SEC breakout game for Harris. He showcased what he can do last season for Hawai'i, but he had a rocky start to his time in Baton Rouge. One of the biggest areas of concern was the drops. It wasn't an issue for him at all last year, a 5.8% drop rate, but he had two drops over the first three weeks. No drops for him against the Aggies.
Harris finished this game with six catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He had a third touchdown called back. This was the playmaker the team expected to see out of the portal. Now that there is some momentum, hopefully they can keep things rolling.
Highest on Defense: S Tamarcus Cooley - 87.7
Michael Turner Jr. had a 94.2, but only played on four snaps, picking up an interception in that time. Another example of the depth coming through on defense.
Cooley was everywhere on the defensive side of the ball. They're going with a little bit more of a group effort in replacing Dashawn Spears. Cooley and Ty Benefield are both fitting into that.
As for Cooley, he was in the box, at free safety and in the slot. He was targeted once in coverage and intercepted the ball. He also had three tackles, a sack and no missed tackles.
Lowest on Offense: WR Jayce Brown - 45.9
Brown is someone that this staff is still waiting on to find his groove in this offense. He has four catches for 47 yards over four weeks, which is not what anyone expected. He's been on the field for 142 snaps, but has only been targeted eight times.
It's clear that he both needs to be more involved in the plan, but he also has to take advantage when they do look his way. He had a bad dropped touchdown in his only look in this game, that won't win anyone over.
Lowest on Defense: DE Dylan Carpenter - 56.5
The good news on defense is that none of the major contributors had poor performances. they only gave up six points and one of those field goals came off an interception, hard to complain about too much.
Carpenter had the lowest grade outside of a couple of players who had spot roles, but even he had five pressures. The main thing holding him back was a missed tackle in just three attempts.
