Devy Conference Preview: Conference USA

Rob Willette

dixon

Editor’s Note: This article is a Dynasty Scouts exclusive. Remember, our Dynasty Scouts section focuses on the stars of tomorrow, with a laser focus on High School recruits and College players who look to have the talent to be future assets in dynasty leagues and have value today in devy leagues.

With the continual shift towards college football mega-conferences, many of the smaller D-1 leagues have become a veritable pile of leftovers. Conference USA has become one such amalgam of programs, yet there’s always talent to find if you’re looking in the right places. Though the depth is not there, several players always develop into coveted devy assets, even if their road to relevance is not as neatly paved.

Known Commodities

Kenneth Dixon, RB Louisiana Tech Raiders

A monstrous statistical freshman season that included 28 touchdowns vaulted Kenneth Dixon onto the radar, and despite an injury-riddled sophomore season that saw his numbers take a slight dip, he still remains a high profile option in a deep class of runners. A back who seemingly points to a spot on the football field he wants to arrive at and then finds it, he’s a well-rounded back with home run ability. He is the clear top option in Conference USA.

Rakeem Cato, QB Marshall Thundering Herd

Heavy favorites in Conference USA, the Thundering Herd are led by Rakeem Cato and his 8,000 plus passing yards over the past two seasons. An undersized quarterback that lacks dynamic traits, he figures to top out as a highly productive college signal caller that merely flirts with an NFL roster.

Jordan Taylor, WR Rice Owls

A jumbo receiver that’s tough as nails, Jordan Taylor has a future on Sundays. Though he has the size to create mismatch problems, he profiles as more of a complimentary option that contributes in areas other than the scoresheet, limiting his devy value.

Tommy Shuler, WR Marshall Thundering Herd

On the other end of the size spectrum is Tommy Shuler, Marshall’s uber-productive receiver that controls the intermediate game. More of an old reliable than a joystick space player, he’s not in the draft picture.

Jamarcus Nelson, WR Alabama-Birmingham Blazers

[inlinead]All-purpose star Jamarcus Nelson is another undersized wideout that maximizes his abilities yet lacks long-term appeal.

Jordan Parker, RB Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

A traditional I-back that wears defenses down, Jordan Parker returns as possibly the league’s second most talented back. As is the case with all backs that lack difference-making traits, he will need a supreme situation to make a fantasy dent.

Aaron Jones, RB Texas El-Paso Miners

Freshman Aaron Jones was able to leave on an indelible memory on the league landscape despite donning the jersey of one of the league’s worst teams. A versatile back with open field wiggle, he’s a rising star in the league and one of its best long-term prospects.

Ready To Emerge

Angelo Jean-Louis, WR Marshall Thundering Herd

Former Miami commit Angelo Jean-Louis has not traveled the cleanest course during his collegiate tenure but he appears finally ready to get on track in one of the nation’s more prolific offenses. He’s got a natural ability to separate and will add a vertical dimension to the Thundering Herd offense. He’s one of the league’s most troubled yet talented prospects.

Jowan Davis, RB Rice Owls

Jowan Davis has already left a strong impression on the league as a whole but 2014 offers an opportunity for him to really explode onto the scene. A compact runner that runs low and violent, he is ready to become one of the league’s best backs.

Most Overrated

Rakeem Cato is certainly one of college football’s most efficient quarterbacks. He’s also one its most established stars. Unfortunately, neither of those traits portends success at the next level. Despite a decorated college career and 2014 Heisman hype, he’s buried on the quarterback hierarchy and only worth a late look in superflex devy leagues.

Most Underrated

Aaron Jones is so far removed from the devy radar that he deserves a mention. He’s got untapped potential in the passing game; the Miners were not exactly an efficient offensive juggernaut. If he can add bulk and demonstrate his versatile skill-set, he is a deep option for leagues that enjoy carrying large devy rosters.

Conference USA Top 10

    1. Kenneth Dixon, RB Louisiana Tech
    2. Jordan Taylor, WR Rice
    3. Aaron Jones, RB Texas El-Paso
    4. Angelo Jean-Louis, WR Marshall
    5. Jowan Davis, RB Rice
    6. Jamarcus Nelson, WR Alabama-Birmingham
    7. Rakeem Cato, QB Marshall
    8. Jordan Parker, RB Middle Tennessee State
    9. Tommy Shuler, WR Marshall
    10. Steward Butler, RB Marshall

[ad5]

rob willette