The Devy 100 Countdown: 71-80

Rob Willette

griffey

Editor’s Note: This article is a Dynasty Scouts exclusive. Remember, our new 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. 

One of the more intriguing aspects of devy leagues is the number of opinions they inspire.  With over 100 Division I programs and regional broadcasting, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and vice versa.  Outside of the elite prospects known to all, it is really a matter of personal preference. In the Devy 100 series, we’ll look at the top 100 developmental prospects in college football.  This is catered to those in deep leagues in which a lot of players are already owned – a majority of devy leagues only allow a few players to be rostered at a time.  A few important notes:

  • I’ll give the nod to a true freshman I view to have a high ceiling versus an upperclassmen who may top out as a complementary player at the next level.  I’d rather swing for the fences in these cases. I feel many talents who are safe bets to reach the NFL yet never make a huge splash are easily replaceable via rookie drafts and savvy transactions.  This strategy certainly has its flaws; it does, however, account for the lower ranking of a few guys.
  • This list will surely omit several worthy talents.  I don’t claim to have an omniscient grasp of the college football landscape.  There are players I have never heard of who will emerge as top draft picks over the next few years.

*The year following each player denotes the first year they will be draft eligible, or, for seniors, their final draft opportunity. 

#80 – Trey Griffey, WR Arizona Wildcats (2015)

When your father belts 630 home runs and graces the cover of three video games (one of which is among the greatest sports video games of all-time), he is bound to cast a long shadow.  Trey Griffey did all he could to emerge from that shadow towards the end of 2013, finishing the year strong and filling the vacuum left when Austin Hill was lost for the season during spring practice.  A rangy athlete much like his father, Griffey figures to become a preeminent piece Rich Rodriguez’s offense as he enters his third year in the program.

#79 – Ryan Green, RB Florida State Seminoles (2016)
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With holdovers Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. on the roster along with gifted safety convert Karlos Williams, there was no need for Green to carry a heavy load in 2013.  He was mixed in sparingly (mostly in non-conference tilts against overmatched opponents) and did not get many opportunities to flash the skills that made him an elite running back recruit despite missing a majority of his senior season due to injury.  He figures to battle the long hyped Mario Pender and incoming freshman Dalvin Cook for backup duties behind Williams.  Due to a skill-set that sets him apart from other backs on the roster, he’s a safe bet to see an expanded role in 2014.

#78 – Jeremy Langford, RB Michigan State Spartans (2015)

Jeremy Langford assumed the Le’Veon Bell role for a Spartans offense that is far more function than fashion.  He’s similar to Bell in that he is a jack-of-all trades, master of none type of back.  He may profile similarly to Stepfan Taylor, a productive college player who finds a place in the league, yet not as a long-term starter.

#77 – Ermon Lane, WR Florida State Seminoles (2017)

Lane’s appeal stems from the fact he is already a technician despite his youth.  High school receivers (most high school stars for that matter) simply rely on their ability to run faster, jump higher and outmuscle the competition.  While Lane is blessed physically, the savvy is what separates him.  Both he and Travis Rudolph figure to make an immediate impact in Tallahassee; Lane has the superior upside.

#76 – Tarean Folston, RB Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2016)

Notre Dame is loaded with young talent with the potential to become elite devy assets, and Folston arguably sits atop that list.  Folston assumed the role most expected Greg Bryant to own, gradually working his way up the depth chart.  With George Atkinson entering the NFL Draft and Amir Carlisle now playing slot receiver, Folston stands as the favorite to earn lead back duties in South Bend and has breakout appeal in 2014.

#75 – Drake Harris, WR Michigan Wolverines (2017)

A hamstring ailment truncated Harris’ senior season and may be the reason he has fallen behind other heralded receivers in recruiting rankings.  A tall, fluid athlete with otherworldly ball skills, Harris is one of the top physical talents in this class and gets to mature behind one of college football’s top big receivers in Devin Funchess.

#74 – Joe Mixon, RB Oklahoma Sooners (2017)

Mixon may have the most diverse skill-set within the freshman running back group.  He shares similar traits to former Sooner DeMarco Murray – he’s equally adept at splitting out wide and is the definition of an all-purpose back.  A straight line runner with less than ideal wiggle and power yet good initial burst, Mixon’s versatility should earn him plenty of work at Oklahoma.

#73 – Davion Hall, WR Baylor Bears (2017)

This stretch includes a number of true freshman, high ceiling players who are admittedly gambles, yet have game breaking potential.  Listed as an ATHLETE by many recruiting services, it appears a safe bet Hall will line up outside for Baylor (he’s listed as a receiver on Baylor’s team website) and his aggressive, “my ball” mentality and downfield prowess will mesh well with joystick players such as Antwan Goodley, Robbie Rhodes, and K.D. Cannon.  He’s cut from a different cloth than the typical receiver we have seen in Art Briles’ system.

#72 – Jonathan Williams, RB Arkansas Razorbacks (2015)

This may be a conservative ranking for a big runner with long speed who is eligible in 2015.  Alex Collins gets much of the love in the Razorback backfield (and deservedly so), but Williams is a top level back in his own right.  While not overly active in the passing game, Williams has shown he can contribute in that area.  In what is shaping up as a deep class at running back, Williams may prove to be a value.

#71 – Corey Robinson, WR Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2016) Much like Trey Griffey, Corey Robinson has to step out of the shadows of his famous father.  The Admiral’s son was not a huge recruit out of high school but he found a way to contribute as a true freshman, demonstrating the catch radius you’d expect from the son of a NBA Hall Of Fame Center like David Robinson.  He’s all potential at this point and still has plenty to prove as far as foot speed and savvy is concerned.  However, his potential makes him a worthy gamble late in devy drafts.

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rob willette