Traits
Traits are earned, never given: a player is an outlier against his position (roughly the top 5% of every season since 2016), a coach against everyone in his role. Each one says why. The rarest players earn ★ Game Changer; the rarest coaches, ★ Difference Maker.
The top tag: three earned traits, or two plus a top-1% season at the position. About 1 in 100 starters earns it in a season.
20 this season
★ Difference Makerthe coaches' top tag: three earned traits, or two plus a top-1% rating in his role
15 this season
Player traits
43 since 2016
An outlier against his position (roughly the top 5%).
64 since 2016
Kickers in the top 5% in field goal accuracy (with volume).
K
1184 since 2016
Top 5% in tackles for loss per game.
DL · LB
78 since 2016
An outlier against his position (roughly the top 5%).
1467 since 2016
Top 5% in interceptions per game.
DB · LB
80 since 2016
Kickers with the top 5% longest field goals.
K
68 since 2016
An outlier against his position (roughly the top 5%).
292 since 2016
Starting linemen on the top 5% pass-protection units.
OL
113 since 2016
Backs who keep the offense on schedule: top 5% in successful carries.
RB
65 since 2016
Punters in the top 5% at pinning teams inside the 20.
P
191 since 2016
Receivers and tight ends in the top 5% in yards per target.
WR · TE
79 since 2016
An outlier against his position (roughly the top 5%).
54 since 2016
Backs who are a real weapon as receivers: top 5% in EPA per target.
RB
69 since 2016
An outlier against his position (roughly the top 5%).
66 since 2016
Punters in the top 5% in yards per punt.
P
117 since 2016
Running backs whose yards per carry sit in the top 5% of all backs since 2016.
RB
293 since 2016
Linemen in the top 5% in career starts.
OL
763 since 2016
Defensive backs in the top 5% in pass breakups per game.
DB
46 since 2016
An outlier against his position (roughly the top 5%).
1194 since 2016
Front-seven players in the top 5% in sacks + hurries per game.
DL · LB
215 since 2016
Top 5% in receiving touchdowns per game.
WR · TE
77 since 2016
Top 5% in yards per kick/punt return.
RB · WR · DB
303 since 2016
Starting linemen on the top 5% run-blocking units (opponent-adjusted).
OL
95 since 2016
An outlier against his position (roughly the top 5%).
159 since 2016
Top 5% catch rate with real volume.
WR · TE
77 since 2016
An outlier against his position (roughly the top 5%).
1288 since 2016
Top 5% in tackles per game.
LB · DB
213 since 2016
Pass catchers the offense looks for most: top 5% in targets per game.
WR · TE
2079 since 2016
Top 5% in forced fumbles + defensive touchdowns per game.
DB · DL · LB
66 since 2016
Backs carrying the heaviest workloads per game — top 5%.
RB
Coach traits
credited recruits average 0.914
his players gain +12.0 rating points a year more than typical
elite defensive units, opponent-adjusted
wins the close, in-game decisions
his players gain +9.6 rating points a year more than typical
his players gain +5.1 rating points a year more than typical
units beat their preseason projection
elite offensive units, opponent-adjusted
lifts programs beyond what their talent predicts
his players gain +13.2 rating points a year more than typical
signs classes above the program's norm
his players gain +10.1 rating points a year more than typical
his players gain +5.0 rating points a year more than typical
his players gain +15.1 rating points a year more than typical
assistants thrive and get promoted
recruits and transfers outplay their ratings
his players gain +9.3 rating points a year more than typical
his players gain +7.1 rating points a year more than typical
results well above expectation