The Devy 100 Countdown: 1-10

Rob Willette Posted On June 5, 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 players.
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.

#10 – Marquez North, WR Tennessee Volunteers (2016)

The star that shines the brightest in what is now annually a stacked Volunteer receiving core is Marquez North. The true freshman dazzled Rocky Top with mid-air acrobatics and a natural plucking ability, hindered only by his own inexperience and subpar quarterback play. The size/speed combination that is a requisite for being a top ten devy prospect are there in spades, and North figures to rival another SEC receiver for top billing at the position come 2016.

#9 – Amari Cooper, WR Alabama Crimson Tide (2015)

The Crimson Tide’s Amari Cooper appears to be following the Sammy Watkins developmental model. After a sensational freshman year that saw him reach exactly 1,000 yards, Cooper regressed in his sophomore season due to a variety of reasons, a nagging foot injury chief among them. When on top of his game, he has the ability to take the top off of a defense thanks to his football jets and he’s reliable in the intermediate game with alluring after the catch wiggle. If he can return to full health and develop a quick rapport with new quarterback Jacob Coker, he is a first round pick in 2015.

#8 – Devin Funchess, WR Michigan Wolverines (2015)

The discussion surrounding Michigan’s Devin Funchess will always be about hands. His sophomore year was plagued by drops and he was unable to demonstrate the natural hands you’d hope to see from an elite receiving prospect. That flaw, however – even one that often proves to be fatal – can be overlooked when analyzing the mismatch ability that the former tight end provides. With a massive frame complimented by fluid movements, Funchess is the epitome of a match-up nightmare. Moving full-time to wide receiver, he will have an opportunity to shed some weight and harness his supreme athleticism, making him a dark horse to be the first receiver off the board in 2015.

#7 – Mike Davis, RB South Carolina Gamecocks (2015)

[inlinead]Terms like “efficiency” and “well-rounded” are not the terms that make for a sultry scouting report but they are traits that South Carolina’s Mike Davis shows in spades. A true three-down workhorse that carried the Gamecocks offense last year, the junior back will enter the NFL Draft with two years of monster production in the nation’s best conference. Steady runners who can contribute in all phases will always have a home in the NFL, and Davis has the athletic profile to be more than just a part-time contributor. His unique burst and pinball running style give him a lead back profile.

#6 – Derrick Henry, RB Alabama Crimson Tide (2016)

There’s a scene in Space Jam in which the aliens trap powers within a basketball and when they touch it, they evolve into unstoppable, gargantuan machines. Derrick Henry may have undergone a similar transformation as a Pop Warner athlete, as despite his position he towers over defenders with a hulking frame that is often seen on defensive ends. With long speed and the wiggle of a small back, the Florida native is a unique talent at the position and may become one of the more unusual running back prospects of our time.

#5 – Stefon Diggs, WR Maryland Terrapins (2015)

The ascent to the top of the receiver rankings is often a venture made by the vertically gifted. Any list of elite dynasty pass catchers is inundated with small forwards that dominate at the catch point. There’s always room, however, for electric space players and there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that Maryland’s Stefon Diggs will be just that. While he may never dominate a team’s targets as its true number one, there’s immense upside as a Swiss Army Knife weapon who gashes defenses all over the field.

#4 – Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss Runnin’ Rebels (2016)

One of the headliners of Hugh Freeze’s 2013 recruiting class, Laquon Treadwell was a glorified possession receiver in his first season, posting what looks to be a yards per carry average at 8.3. The utilization of Treadwell failed to showcase his array of skills but we did get an opportunity to see that he’s an after-the-catch menace despite his large frame. With Donte Moncrief now in Indianapolis, the sophomore is set to emerge as one of the nation’s elite receivers and is a top devy option.

#3 – Thomas Tyner, RB Oregon Ducks (2016)

A tall, lean runner with sprinter speed, Thomas Tyner showed he’s the Ducks most talented runner despite playing second fiddle to previous Devy 100 entry Byron Marshall. A smooth gait and second level explosion are the hallmarks of his game and help mask the fact that he’s not going to wow you with short area quickness. A premier athlete with excellent first year production, there is a decent chance Tyner tops this list at this time next year.

#2 – Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin Badgers (2015)

You can question Melvin Gordon’s decision to return to school for his redshirt junior season. He likely would have been the first back off the board this year, and instead has to contend with a deep group of runners in 2015. He will, however, have an opportunity to illustrate his wares in the passing game. James White was a dominant pass blocker and receiver at Wisconsin, leaving little opportunity for Gordon to strut his stuff. If he can prove merely passable in those areas, he will be one of the backs that break the first round drought at the position.

#1 – Todd Gurley, RB Georgia Bulldogs (2015)

There’s no need to get cute at the top. Todd Gurley is the man to own in devy leagues. A dominant force since his freshman season, the Bulldogs lead back has evolved into one of the better running back prospects in recent memory. A rugged downhill runner with outstanding determination and passing game chops, he’s a contributor on day one for any NFL team and a Top 10 dynasty running back as of right now.

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