Heel Tough Blog: PFF Report - Week 3 Clemson
After the Tar Heels built a 17-3 lead over Clemson, it looked like Carolina was well on their way to improving to 3-0 in the 2026 season and getting another marquee win under Bill Belichick. Instead, Clemson outscored UNC 25-3 the rest of the way to beat UNC 28-20, sending UNC to 2-1 on the season. The lack of depth defensively, combined with inadequate QB play, showed up in a major way in the second half, highlighting the areas of growth and development the program still needs to address before becoming a contender in the ACC. With that in mind, here’s how Carolina graded out on both sides of the ball, while enduring their first loss of the season:
Offense:
Benjamin Hall - 77.3
In the third game of his second season at UNC, Benjamin Hall turned in his best game as a Tar Heel, carrying the football 18 times for 130 yards, in addition to his receiving touchdown. Hall averaged over 7 yards per carry, with a long of 19, as he was the focal point of the Tar Heel offense, while Billy Edwards Jr. was struggling to find consistency. Per PFF, Hall was given an overall grade of 77.3, with a 66.6 grade on passing downs, a 78.5 grade on passing downs, and a 75.4 grade on rushing downs.
Christo Kelly - 74.9
A big reason for Carolina’s improved offensive line play has been the health of veteran center Christo Kelly, who was lost early in the TCU game back in 2025. In his 70 snaps on Saturday, Kelly earned a 74.9 overall grade, with a 66.7 grade on passing downs and a 72.5 grade in the run game.
Jordan Shipp - 68.9
Clemson limited Jelani Thurman’s impact in the passing game, but Jordan Shipp was ready to answer the call, leading UNC with 6 catches for 68 yards and a long of 23. His grade was broken down like this: 68.9 overall, with a 68.8 grade on 34 passing plays, and a 58.0 on 28 running plays.
Jacqawn McRoy - 64.2
McRoy is the second of three offensive linemen to make the Top 5 for this week, but there is a drastic dip in the grade, considering what grade Christo Kelly received. McRoy played 69 snaps on Saturday, earning a 64.2 grade overall, with a substantially better grade in the pass-blocking game (69.0) than the run game (60.4).
Aidan Banfield - 64.0
Banfield is the last UNC offensive lineman to make the list this week, despite splitting time with Christian Alvarez. In Banfield’s 49 snaps, he received a 64.0 overall grade, with a 72.3 grade as a pass blocker and a 61.9 grade as a run blocker.
Defense:
Greg Smith - 90.1
Carolina’s defense may have fallen apart down the stretch against Clemson, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some individual efforts of note, starting with Greg Smith. Per PFF, Smith eanred a 90;1 defensive grade, even with some important missed tackles. Smith did struggle in the run game, receiving grades of 52.0, and a 58.4 tackling grade. Additionally, Smith did receive a 59.9 grade as a pas crusher, but a dominant 92.0 grade in coverage. Smith totaled 7 tackles, with an interception and a forced fumble in the loss.
Kaleb Cost - 76.7
Cost continued his hot start to the 2026 season, with 7 more tackles, including 5 of them solo. That earned him a 76.7 overall grade, with a 65.2 grade as a run defender, a 82.7 grade as a tackler, with a 56.4 grade as a pass rusher, and a 78.1 grade while in coverage.
Xavier Lewis - 74.8
Lewis continues a disruptive force for the Carolina defensive line, and agaisnt Clemson, Lewis registered 5 total tackles, with two more sacks, and two tackles for loss. That production led to him receiving a 74.8 grade overall, with a 65.0 score as a run defender, a 76.9 grade as a tackler, and a 79.2 grade as a pass rusher.
Leroy Jackson - 74.4
Another member of the defensive line cracks the top 5, as Leroy Jackson earned a spot, after just 2 tackles, but one of them being a sack. That stat line, helped him a 74.4 grade overall, with a 80.7 grade as a run defender, a 75.8 grade as a tackler, and a 58.3 grade as a pass rusher.
Kenton Dopson III - 72.5
Dopson only played 11 snaps, and only recorded one tackle, but he still caught the attention of the folks from over at PFF. Despite the limited production, Dopson received a 72.5 grade overall, with a 60.0 in run defense, a 73.5 grade as a tackler, and a 71.7 grade while in coverage.
Comments