PFF Game Grades from Kentucky Win over Florida
The initial grades have been handed out to the Kentucky football team by Pro Football Focus following the Wildcats’ 26-16 win over the Florida Gators. For the second straight week, true freshmen have been the best of the best.
SEC Freshman of the Week Dane Key received the highest grade of any player on offense or defense. The wide receiver’s outstanding 56-yard touchdown catch and a small sample size, only 26 snaps, helped him receive a grade of 87.7. On the defensive side of the football, freshman defensive lineman Deone Walker was the third-best Wildcat defender with a grade of 74.1. Only J.J. Weaver had a better run defense grade, in part thanks to this monstrous third down tackle for loss in the fourth quarter.
Top Kentucky Offensive Performers
Enjoy a rundown of the top performers behind Mr. Key, according to PFF.
TE Keaton Upshaw: 76.8
- The big body from Ohio caught two passes on three targets for 34 yards, his first game with multiple receptions since the 2020 Gator Bowl. A preseason injury sidelined Upshaw for the entire 2021 campaign.
WR Chauncey Magwood: 73.9
- Magwood was second on the team in receiving with two receptions for 47 yards, including a big-time conversion on third and long.
QB Will Levis: 73.3
- QB1 got off to a hot start before the passing game cooled. In the first half he completed 10-of-15 passes for 155 yards with a rushing and a passing touchdown.
LT Kenneth Horsey: 68.6
- In his first start at left tackle in 2022, the team captain was the highest-graded offensive lineman. He kept a clean pocket in pass protection with a team-high 87.1 pass-pro grade.
- Jeremy Flax (65.4 overall) was No. 7 overall and the second-highest graded OL, followed by Tashawn Manning (62.5, 85 pass-pro grade), Eli Cox (59.5) and Jager Burton (53.6).
RB Kavosiey Smoke: 67.1
- He averaged better than 6 yards per carry in the second half thanks to four runs of 10+ yards, finishing with 80 yards on 14 carries.
Top Kentucky Defensive Performers
CB Keidron Smith: 76.7
- The cornerback had a pass coverage grade of 82.4, allowing six receptions on eight targets and taking one interception to the house for a defensive touchdown.
Edge J.J. Weaver: 74.5
- He led the Cats with nine tackles while doing a little bit of everything for the UK defense.
DT Deone Walker: 74.1
SS Tyrell Ajian: 72.9
- The strong safety received the second-highest grade in pass coverage and third-best in tackling, tallying five on the night.
FS Jordan Lovett: 72.4
- Filling in for the injured Jalen Geiger, he recorded seven tackles, trailing only Weaver.
CB Carrington Valentine: 71.5
- Florida tried to exploit Valentine, but came up empty-handed. They threw at him eight times, resulting in more pass breaks-ups (3) than receptions (2).
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