Conference Review: Around the Country

Matt Caraccio

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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. These articles will move to our Premium Content package starting on September 17th, but enjoy your free preview until then.

With college football in full swing, we’ll be bringing you a review of the “Big Five” conferences each and every week. These recaps will feature sections for “Premier Conference Performer,” “Rising Players,” “Falling Players,” and a special Freshman spotlight. These weekly reviews will keep you up-to-date on all the happenings in devy leagues and allow you to keep tabs on future dynasty league assets. By the time the NFL Draft rolls around, you won’t see too many strangers.

Premier Conference Performer

Brandon Doughty, QB Western Kentucky University

46-of-56 for 569 passing yards, six touchdowns vs. Bowling Green

Update: 28-of-48 for 297 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, one interception vs. Illinois

This week’s player spotlight was an easy one, as Brandon Doughty posted a video game like performance that would make even the most hard-core Madden fans envious. Doughty moved the ball through the air effortlessly as the Falcons from the University of Bowling Green could only watch helplessly. The 6’3, 210 pound redshirt senior out of Davie, Florida, set school records in yards, completions and touchdowns. Doughty recorded an outstanding 202.9 passer rating as the Hilltoppers defeated the former MAC champions; earning their first win as members of the Conference USA. As amazing as these numbers appear, Doughty’s incredible afternoon had as much to do with Bowling Green’s poor defensive effort as Doughty’s prowess as a quarterback. This is not to diminish what he did, it is just to help you properly frame the performance. Doughty showed good command of his offense. He was decisive with the football and flashed good accuracy. Whether this was the pinnacle of Doughty’s career or not, a performance like this still is nothing short of incredible.

Rising

Keevan Lucas, WR University of Tulsa

13 receptions for 233 receiving yards, three touchdowns, three carries for 36 rushing yards vs. Tulane

Update: 10 receptions for 84 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown vs. Oklahoma

Keevan Lucaswas a versatile weapon for Tulsa as the Golden Hurricanes faced the Green Wave of Tulane in a tight week one match-up. Primarily used in the slot, Lucas was deployed in a variety of ways, from drag routes over the middle to reverses out of the backfield. Standing just 5’10” and weighting 198 pounds, Lucas flashed good burst off the line of scrimmage and good hands as a receiver. In addition, Lucas featured good concentration tracking balls over his shoulder, as well as enough deep speed to take the top off the defense. As a runner after the catch, Lucas showed good balance and ran behind his pads. In a game where Tulsa needed every last bit of the effort they could muster, Lucas did not disappoint.

Jay Ajayi, RB Boise State

20 carries for 86 rushing yards, 12 receptions for 93 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown vs. Ole Miss

Update: 33 carries for 219 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 4 receptions for 61 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown vs. Colorado State

Flashing good lateral agility, Jay Ajayi showed over the last two games the ability to get skinny and slither between the tackles for positive yardage. In the open field, Ajayi showed he could make tacklers miss using a combination of power and agility. Stuffing the stat book over the last two games, the 6’0”, 216 pound back has proven his talent is worth watching.

Everett Golson, QB Notre Dame

14-of-22 for 295 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 12 carries for 41 yards, three rushing touchdowns vs. Rice

Update: 23-of-34 for 226 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, 3 carries for -14 yards, vs. Michigan

A top-flight program got top-flight production out of their quarterback position. After a year removed from the team due to academic concerns, Everett Golson returned to the field and guided the Irish to 48-17 drubbing over Rice. Golson showed good arm strength on deep throws and when flushed from the pocket, kept his eyes down field and delivered the football. When plays broke down entirely, he still showed he could make plays as runner. Flashing good acceleration and elusiveness in the open field, Golson is definitely double trouble for opposing defenses.

Deontay Greenberry, WR University of Houston

Six receptions for 96 receiving yards vs UTSA

Update: 5 receptions for 110 receiving yards vs Grambling State

The 6’3”, 200 pound receiver out of Fresno, California has been as advertised so far this year. In tight man coverage Deontay Greenberry flashed double moves at the line of scrimmage to get separation from opposing defensive backs. In addition, Greenberry uses the vertical stems of his routes to set up defensive backs in order to gain separation. Although not always successful in that endeavor, he does show maturity as a route runner. When the ball is in the air, Greenberry shows an ability to adjust and make difficult catches and is prospect whose value is on the rise.

Justin Hardy, WR Eastern Carolina University

Eight receptions for 87 receiving yards vs. NC Centra1

Update: 11 receptions for 133 receiving yards, two touchdowns vs. University of South Carolina

Justin Hardy has played very well so far at the beginning of this season. Against press coverage, Hardy showed he could utilize his hands and feet to get a good release off the line of scrimmage. In addition, Hardy flashed maturity as route runner as he worked to get open when a play broke down. Lastly, Hardy has flashed some nice athleticism, which he uses well in creating a large catch radius.

Falling

DeVaris Daniels, WR University of Notre Dame

DNP vs. Rice, DNP vs. Michigan

Five players of the Fighting Irish, which include star wide receiver DeVaris Daniels, were suspended from week one of play. According to reports, the five players are under suspicion of academic misconduct and their availability for future contests are unknown. A resolution is expected soon. These types of allegations, can severely impact a player’s draft stock come May. This is a situation worth monitoring.

Chuckie Keeton, QB Utah State

18-of-35 for 144 passing yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions, eight carries for 12 rushing yards vs. Tennessee

Update:13-of-30 for 116 passing yards, one interception, eight carries for 74 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown vs. Idaho State

At 6’2”, 200 pounds, Chuckie Keeton is on the radar as one of the better draftable senior quarterbacks this year. After tearing both his ACL and MCL in his left knee last season, Keeton’s return to the field of play was eagerly anticipated by Aggies fans around the country. Keeton’s lackluster performance against Tennessee had as much to do with Tennessee’s athleticism than Keeton’s ability as a signal caller. Still, Keeton did show some evidence of rust as he struggled with his accuracy throughout the game. While this is not a five-alarm fire just yet, Keeton’s progress is worth monitoring.

Matt Johnson, QB Bowling Green

25-of-36 for 313 passing yards, one passing touchdown vs. Western Kentucky

At first glance it might seem odd to have Matt Johnson listed here. After all, the 6’1”, 221 pound junior out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was set to solidify his place among the college football elite. Unfortunately, all those hopes and aspirations came tumbling down after Johnson was removed in the fourth quarter of the game against Western Kentucky due to injury. Apparently Johnson suffered a hip injury that will force him to miss the rest of the season.

Freshman Spotlight

Marlon Mack, RB University of South Florida

24 carries for 275 yards, four touchdowns, one reception for five receiving yards vs Western Carolina

Update: 22 carries for 73 rushing yards, one reception for seven yards vs Maryland

The 6’0”, 195 pound true freshman out of Sarasota, Florida matched a single game school record on his debut performance with the Bulls. With three runs of more than 50 yards, Marlon Mack turned heads around. On runs between the tackles, Mack flashed both poise and power. On runs to the outside, Mack flashed as well, showing good lateral agility and elusiveness in the open field. Now, I would be remise if I didn’t point out that USF was considered by many to be the favorite in this contest, and as a result you might be compelled to argue that Mack’s success is overblown. While some of that may be true, there is little doubt Mack flashed a very compelling skill set for a freshman.