Measuring Grit in NFL Cornerbacks using Statistical Analysis
Name
kingston-ctk-meng-eecs-2023-thesis.pdf
Description
Thesis PDF
Size
3.65 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
1a9efba583a7dd156a491d2125565707
Author(s)
Kingston, Cole
Advisor(s)
Hosoi, Anette
Date Issued
June 2023
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Using the pass play tracking data from the 2018 National Football League (NFL) season, I compiled a Grit Score that measured cornerback responses to an adverse result to a play. I calculated this Grit Score using the results of whether a cornerback allowed their opposing receiver to catch the ball to measure change in performance. When comparing performance, I used the difference in average distance between the cornerback and opposing receiver to compile one score for each player in the NFL. I validated my calculations with Pro Football Focus Coverage Ratings and was able to classify players into 6 different categories based on talent and Grit Score. Overall, I found that most NFL players have high grit, or play consistently through adversity, which explains why they have made it to the highest level of football. NFL coaches and general managers prefer players who have increased performance following a bad event as those players tend to stay in the NFL for longer than those with decreased performance.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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