SEC Conference Devy Review

Rob Willette

fournette

The SEC’s proclivity for pumping out top shelf talent is well known. Its league is littered with four and five-star recruits blessed with elite traits. While many fade into oblivion, many also dazzle on Saturdays and become linchpins of dynasty franchises. Here we review the year which was, with Christmas flair.

On The Good Boy List

Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M true freshman Christian Kirk was dubbed one of the 2015 recruiting cycle’s best playmakers, and he did not disappoint in year one. Whether in the passing game or the return game, he was electric and became the clear top offensive weapon ahead of more seasoned and established peers. Despite concerns of Kirk being simply a gimmick weapon, he showed the ability to routinely get open thanks to smooth change of direction skills and an understanding of how to exploit a variety of defensive schemes. Despite an atypical build and less than ideal height, I am buying Kirk as a legit pro prospect. His explosion and the advanced nuance to his game are impressive.

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Leonard Fournette, RB LSU Tigers

This is perhaps the most obvious inclusion on any devy player list. I have been a bit down on Leonard Fournette compared to the consensus; I do not see the transcendent, slam dunk All-Pro many do. However, he was an improved player this year. While he will never possess elite agility, I saw improvement in tight spaces, and when combined with his trademark power and long speed, it is an impressive combination. As a truly special size/speed athlete with the ability to become a legitimate three down workhorse, I see Fournette as a safe (as safe as prospects go) bet to be a productive pro.

Antonio Callaway, WR Florida Gators

Demarcus Robinson was expected to be the alpha male among Gator receivers. Instead, he remained perpetually tethered to Jim McElwain’s doghouse, providing an opportunity for Antonio Callaway to become the Gators’ top weapon despite it being his first year out of high school. Callaway proved adept at making big plays downfield, and despite a modest, 5-foot-11, 198-pound frame, he looked bigger on the field as he was always playing a big man’s game. I expect the Treon Harris to be the offensive nadir in the McElwain era, and Callaway should explode in 2016 should Will Grier return or another quarterback emerge.

Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama Crimson Tide

In between cashing social security checks, Calvin Ridley spent his Saturdays becoming Alabama’s leading receiver. A positional group ravaged by injuries to Cam Sims and Robert Foster was ultimately saved by the true freshman, a playmaker who complimented the Tide’s run-heavy, Derrick Henry-led scheme perfectly. You wish he was younger, but he is a really good football player.

Derrick Henry, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

We have waited a long time to see Derrick Henry have the Alabama backfield all to himself. He did not disappoint, routinely loading up box-scores and carrying an offense which may have been severely limited without his presence. He now stands as one of the more polarizing prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft. Many point to a dominant line as the catalyst for his success, which I personally do not see. This may have been the most pedestrian line I can remember for the Tide. I’m on board with Henry as a premier NFL back, and it looks as though I may be able to grab him at a discounted cost.

Coal In Your Stocking

Jeremy Johnson, QB Auburn Tigers

I latched on to Jeremy Johnson this past summer as my spirit animal. I extolled his virtues constantly, expecting him to hand his teammates touchdowns as though they were Hershey Kisses at Christmas. Instead, his main skill in 2015 was providing RAC opportunities to defenders whom he hit perfectly in the numbers. Johnson salvaged his season to a degree by returning to the starting lineup late in the season with a skeleton game-plan, but all dreams of him being Gus Malzahn’s next great quarterback have been dashed. Assuming he stays at Auburn, he has a quarterback battle with Sean White on his hands, and White appears the favorite at this moment.

Texas A&M Quarterbacks

The Aggies entered 2015 looking to have two quarterbacks with starting potential. They leave with zero. Transfers from both Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray have put Kevin Sumlin and crew in a bind. Allen in particular disappointed, failing to take a step forward after a somewhat promising freshman season and looking poised to backup Kyler Murray in 2015. Murray himself showed flashes, though he was an unlikely pro prospect and now may even turn his attention to baseball. Both likely found themselves on many devy superflex rosters. Neither looks to be returning any value on the investment.

Tennessee Wide Receivers

Volunteer receivers have been the source of endless heartbreak. From Da’Rick Rogers to Cordarrelle Patterson to Justin Hunter, we have seen promise turn to disappointment in the blink of an eye. The Butch Jones era, however, was supposed to be different. Receivers entering his program looked physically dominant with immense room to grow. Thus far, results have been mixed. Marquez North has had incredible highs submarined by injury and bouts of inconsistency. Josh Malone has yet to evolve into the all-SEC receiver his incredible physical tools portended. A variety of factors have conspired to limit this group, but what could have been devy gold has turned into a well of tears.

Nick Chubb

Considered the top devy prospect overall by many entering the season, Nick Chubb established the expected dominance early prior to succumbing to a serious knee injury which has clouded his entire future. While the prognosis is more positive than negative for a full recovery, it’s still a cause for major concern and there is a possibility we do not see the same player when he returns. I am still banking on Chubb returning and establishing himself as a top tier player in 2017, but this was a really sad turn of events for a back who looked nearly bulletproof as a prospect.

Shopping For Next Year

B.J. Emmons, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

Shocking news: The Crimson Tide are welcoming in another ballyhooed runner. B.J. Emmons is a no-nonsense north-south runner who should thrive as a between the tackles power runner while possessing enough explosive ability to gain the edge and create splash plays. Alabama has a host of young runners – Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris, and DeSherrius Flowers chief among them – but none were able to earn the trust of Nick Saban early in their careers. With Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake off to the NFL, opportunity exists in Alabama’s backfield.

Kyle Davis, WR Auburn Tigers

The Auburn passing game could use a shot in the arm, and a toolsy player like Kyle Davis could be just the ticket. Big and with the ability to win in contested situations, he has a chance to contribute early. Despite seemingly losing momentum on the recruiting circuit, I am sticking with him as a top tier receiver recruit for now.

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rob willette