We’ll continue to explore this relatively new idea we started last season, looking at the top- and lowest-rated Seminoles on either side of the loss. All of the following information was collected via Pro Football Focus.

PFF employs 600 full- and part-time analysts who evaluate every snap of every player on offense, defense and special teams throughout the game. Grades are calculated per game, with each game divided into grades ranging from -2 to +2 in 0.5 increments. An average or expected play would yield a grade of zero, a turnover at the end of the game would yield a grade of -2, and a perfect touchdown throw to win a game would be worth +2.

These apply to every single player on every move. For example, a quarterback who throws a good pass that is dropped by a wide receiver would receive a positive grade. The wide receiver who dropped the ball would receive a negative grade, while the offensive tackle who protected the blind side would also receive a positive grade.

Obviously the PFF can’t be sure about each player’s tasks in a game, but they judge based on what the player is trying to do. Moves that contain a question mark can be counted as zero. We hope this provides a bit of clarity to some of the details you’ll see below.

Highest Rated Players:

1. Darion Williamson (85.3) – 5 snaps

Williamson only played five snaps, but he caught one of his two targets for 35 yards. He took the lead in the fourth quarter on a long ball that was overthrown.

2. Ja’Khi Douglas (75.0) – 38 snaps

Douglas caught two of his three targets for 61 yards. On Florida State’s first possession, he scored a 50-yard gain that set up the touchdown.

3. Brock Glenn (68.5) – 8 snaps

Glenn led two scoreless drives in the fourth quarter and missed all four of his passes. He threw a potential touchdown to Williamson.

4. Lawrance Toafili (68.3) – 46 snaps

Toafili rushed 15 times for 67 yards and caught two passes for 22 yards.

5. Hykeem Williams (65.6) – 35 snaps

Williams was credited with a catch for 11 yards, which came on FSU’s first possession.

Lowest rated players:

5. TJ Ferguson (51.0) – 51 snaps

Ferguson started and kept fighting. He was injured late in the game.

4. DJ Uiagalelei (50.3) – 54 snaps

Uiagalelei broke down after an early pick, completing 12/30 passes for 222 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He was replaced by Glenn after a pick-six in the fourth quarter.

3. Landen Thomas (42.9) – 24 snaps

Thomas caught the first touchdown of his career but was flagged for holding and dropped at least two passes.

2. Jeremiah Byers (42.9) – 33 snaps

Byers returned to action after missing the last three games with a lower-body injury. He committed three costly penalties during the contest, including two layups that wiped out two first downs.

1. Amaree Williams (41.8) – 7 snaps

Williams saw the first action of his college career and received no stats.

Full grades:

Highest Rated Players:

1. DJ Lundy (78.7) – 37 snaps

Lundy recorded four tackles.

2. Sione Lolohea (78.0) – 38 snaps

Lolohea’s energy was evident. He finished the game with five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup.

3. Aaron Hester (74.0) – 20 snaps

Hester saw 20 snaps and received four tackles.

4. Joshua Farmer (74.0) – 47 snaps

Farmer wasn’t as impactful as his last two outings, recording one tackle, 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.

5. DeMarco Ward (72.6) – 8 snaps

Ward was credited with one tackle and 0.5 tackles for loss.

Lowest rated players:

5. Conrad Hussey (56.1) – 32 snaps

Hussey was burned in coverage and took a stupid penalty. He managed a total of four tackles.

4. Darrell Jackson (55.8) – 48 snaps

Jackson missed most of the action and finished the game with three tackles.

3. Omarion Cooper (54.2) – 6 snaps

Cooper was not credited with any stats in limited snaps.

2. Ashlynd Barker (50.6) – 8 snaps

Barker was not credited with any stats in limited snaps.

1. Shyheim Brown (38.5) – 43 snaps

Brown recorded four tackles and a pass breakup in his least productive game of the year.

Full grades:

READ MORE: FSU star safety reportedly missed Memphis loss due to July DUI arrest

Stick with it NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the 2024 season

Follow NoleGameday on and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, And TikTok

• NoleGameday staff score predictions: Florida State Seminoles at SMU Mustangs

• How to watch Florida State vs. SMU: Kickoff time, TV channels and odds

• Three key matchups for FSU Football’s first real road test against the SMU Mustangs

• Former FSU basketball star signs contract extension with LA Clippers