The Devy 100 Countdown: 61-70

Rob Willette Posted On May 9, 2014

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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.

#70 – Demore’ea Stringfellow, WR Washington Huskies (2016)

We’re slowly learning more about the post-Super Bowl incident that clouded the futures of both Demore’ea Stringfellow and Cyler Miles, and it is not looking good for Stringfellow. Reports that he was the aggressor suggest disciplinary behavior beyond the indefinite suspension he received from new head hancho Chris Petersen. Of course, there is plenty more to be learned here. However, the court of public opinion abides by no such standards as to presume innocence. After a promising freshman season, Stringfellow is close to falling off the devy radar.

#69 – Joseph Yearby, RB Miami Hurricanes (2017)

Yearby and teammate Dalvin Cook terrorized Florida high school defenses, then terrorized Florida colleges by flipping their commitments back and forth between in-state schools seemingly weekly. Yearby settled on Miami, where his phone booth quickness and slippery running style should earn him early playing time. If Yearby can add some bulk to what is already a pretty strong frame, he’ll add a power element that could make him the top runner from the 2014 class. His natural running skills are that good.

#68 – Royce Freeman, RB Oregon Ducks (2017)

This is the sweet spot for top incoming freshman talent, as you’re not investing too heavily in them and only giving them a look in deeper leagues. Players like Jermie Calhoun and Dillon Baxter offer a reminder that a number of five star talents flop at the next level. Of course, this is the best time to get these players at a discounted price, so there is a lot of appeal in that regard. Freeman does not run with the power you’d like to see from a mountain of a man, but with an already enticing size/speed combination, he figures to be productive in Oregon’s juggernaut offense and already has the frame that offers workhorse potential. If his receiving skills catch up to his running skills, he has immense upside.

#67 – Terrance McGee, RB Louisiana State Tigers (2015)

[inlinead]McGee looked comfortable back at running back after spending the 2012 season as a receiver. A slashing, powerful runner, McGee plays an efficient game that lacks flash but is long on production. Even though he may play second fiddle to Leonard Fournette after serving as Jeremy Hill’s caddy in 2013, McGee is quietly an intriguing back who fits the NFL mold.

#66 – Marcell Ateman, WR Oklahoma State Cowboys (2016)

When you get deep into the devy ranks, a major aspect is projection. You’re not going to find a five star recruit who was productive as a freshman – those players are hot commodities. Instead, you have to mine a bit deeper and glean whose game has potential. Ateman is a player I have locked in as a potential breakout candidate as a sophomore. A tall, lean, physical receiver, Ateman wowed Cowboys coaches and players alike with his ball skills as a true freshman and figures to emerge as one Oklahoma State’s top weapons as a sophomore.

#65 – Dalvin Cook, RB Florida State Seminoles (2017)

A home run threat with silly acceleration, Cook steps into a Seminole backfield that is wide open. While many expect Karlos Williams to assume lead back duties, he’s still an inexperienced runner who mostly saw mop-up duty in 2013. Ryan Green may be best served as a change of pace runner and Mario Pender’s first two years on campus have been a disaster. Cook has game changing speed and runs tough despite being slightly undersized. Speed kills regardless of position and it is a skill that he shows in spades.

#64 – Corey Davis, WR Western Michigan Broncos (2016)

The Broncos depth chart at receiver was given what appeared to be a death blow when 2012 freshman of the year Jaime Wilson went down with a foot injury. Instead, Davis picked up Wilson’s slack and more, providing one of the few bright spots during a dismal season in Kalamazoo. Overlooked thanks to the Broncos’ status as one of the worst teams in the MAC, Davis provides nice value late in devy drafts. A well-rounded wideout who was overlooked by larger schools due to academic concerns, Davis demonstrated an innate ability to make plays in traffic and profiles as one of the nation’s top underclassmen receivers in 2014.

#63 – Trey Williams, RB Texas A&M Aggies (2015)

Williams has not seen many touches during his first two seasons in College Station, but when he has touched the ball, he’s been spectacular. Averaging a healthy 6.37 yards per carry, Williams combines between the tackles toughness with elite agility. The light workload is largely due to what has been a crowded backfield and despite a smaller frame, Williams is well built and appears capable of handling the rock more than he has been asked to do. His usage may be the only thing preventing him from breaking into the next tier of devy prospects.

#62 – Javorius Allen, RB Southern California Trojans (2015)

Allen was shackled in Lane Kiffin’s doghouse for unknown reasons through much of 2013, Once Ed Orgeron took control, Allen blossomed, showing the size/speed combination that made him a highly touted recruit out of high school. He’s a little older than you’d like a running back prospect to be (he’ll be 23 in August), but with a smooth gait and big potential as a one cut and go runner, Allen is worth rostering.

#61 – Justin Davis, RB Southern California Trojans (2015)

It’s back-to-back Trojan backs to round out this grouping. Davis has received surprisingly little pub for a former four star running back recruit at a marquee school who had a solid freshman season. Prior to going down with an injury, Davis was featured in the Trojans’ offense and racked up six touchdowns on only 53 carries. He will have to prove he can hold up with atypical frame. After turning only 18 this past November, he will have plenty of time to work on his build.

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