Julian Sayin, Kayden McDonald And Caleb Downs Earn Ohio State’s Three Highest PFF Ratings In Buckeyes Victory Over Michigan

Ohio State ended its four-game losing streak to Michigan with a 27-9 win in the Big House on Saturday, fueled by standout performances from quarterback Julian Sayin, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and safety Caleb Downs who were the Buckeyes’ three highest-graded players according to  Pro Football Focus.

The redshirt freshman quarterback Sayin topped the Ohio State’s PFF grades (83.8) after completing 19 of 26 passes for 233 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Michigan. It marks the sixth time this season that Sayin was Ohio State’s highest graded player and the seventh time he has been in the Buckeyes’ top three.

McDonald was the only other Ohio State player to grade in the 80’s with a 80.4 mark on defense. The 6-3, 326 pound defensive lineman finished his outing against the Wolverines tied for second on the team with five total tackles. He also earned a 60 grade in his one snap as a blocker on offense. 

Downs played a major role in holding Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood to just 63 passing yards as the junior captain recorded three total tackles (two solo) and broke up a pass. 

Running back Bo Jackson was Ohio State’s second-highest graded player on offense, earning a mark of 78.8 in 37 snaps of action. The freshman back rushed a career-high 22 times for 117 yards, while adding four receptions for 49 yards. 

Ohio State’s two lowest graded players were a pair of tight ends in Bennett Christian (32.1) and Max Klare (50.9), while left guard Luke Montgomery and right guard Tegra Tshabola followed with ratings of 51.5 and 53.6, both of whom played all 73 snaps along the Buckeyes’ offensive line.