Michigan Defensive Player Is Highest Graded Player in Big Ten This Season

Pro Football Focus released its regular season college football grades through Week 7 on Monday. Through all of the difficulties Michigan football has encountered, it still has some of the top performers in the country. 

Senior Wolverine edge defender Josaiah Stewart received the top mark among players in the Big Ten, coming out of the bye week with a grade of 93.9.

Along with being the top-graded player in the conference, Stewart is also at the top of the list for edge players. Stewart leads the Maize and Blue with 5.0 sacks in as many games. There are just seven players across the country with more sacks than Stewart, and they all have one more game under their belt. 

Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart vs. USC. 31.4% pass rush win rate, 8 pressures, 2.0 sacks, 3 hurries, 20.0% run stop rate..

He’s had a dominant production profile since his true freshman season at Coastal Carolina where he posted 12.5 sacks and 16.0 TFLs. He currently has a 31.3%… pic.twitter.com/Efi1j24fKB

— Adam Carter (@SmartfootbalI) October 12, 2024

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Senior running back Kalel Mullings is the seventh highest-graded player in the Big Ten with a grade of 89.3.

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson is the only running back with a higher mark in the conference through seven weeks.

Mullings is averaging over six yards per carry, and he’s been the only consistent playmaker on the Michigan offense this season. The former linebacker doesn’t get much work in the passing game, but there are not too many guys toting the rock more effectively than him.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to Michigan RB Kalel Mullings—a former LB, by the way.

He rushed for 159 yards, scored 2 TDs, and averaged 9 yards per attempt. The dude willed Michigan to a win today against USC.pic.twitter.com/F4mdGwBUYA

— Football Scout 365™️ (@DraftDay365) September 22, 2024

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