JJ Dunnigan, Miami DB: the 2026 season story
JJ Dunnigan is a freshman defensive back for Miami (ACC). He ranks 1105th of 1,841 defensive backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Knowing the one or two things a player does best, and where he is ordinary, says more than any single total. JJ Dunnigan's strongest measure is tackles per game at 4.8, 190th of 921 (the average is 3.7). His weakest is passes defended per game at 0.00, 795th of 921 (the average is 0.31).
Season production
Why it matters. Totals reward staying healthy and getting the ball; per-game numbers show how much he really carries each week. His tackles per game, 4.8, ranks 190th among 921 ranked defensive backs.
Against every defensive back
Why it matters. Splitting the measures into how much, how well and how many big plays shows what kind of defensive back he is. Among ranked defensive backs he sits, on average, in the 79th percentile for volume, 11th for efficiency and 33rd for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A season average can hide a player who is great one week and absent the next; game by game shows how dependable he is. Over 9 games, JJ Dunnigan's best came in week 5 at Clemson and his quietest in week 3 at Wake Forest.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. Where and how a player makes his plays shows how his team uses him and what a defense has to take away.
National and conference
Why it matters. A national rank shows how a player stacks up beyond his own league, where the competition can be very different. JJ Dunnigan is 653rd of 921 FBS defensive backs and 69th of 106 in the ACC. Next up nationally is Will Steil of North Dakota State, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Defensive backs like him
Why it matters. Comparing a player with his closest statistical matches puts his season in context beyond the rankings. His closest match this season is Matthew Bailey of Illinois.
