Devy Conference Preview: Big Ten

Rob Willette

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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.

The Big Ten has long been excoriated for its failures on the big stage and its mundane brand of football. Its speed deficiencies were on display during BCS bouts with SEC heavyweights, and the league’s overall inability to develop high-level talents at the skill positions is a topic that was discussed by DLF’s own Russell Clay not too long ago. Of course, the goal here is not to discuss the past. It is to look to the future and determine who from this league has the chops to succeed at the next level. Thanks to a new wave of talent from Maryland and Rutgers, things are looking up.

The Known Commodities

Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin Badgers

With a proclivity for producing collegiate stars at the running back position, Wisconsin has long been under the microscope when analyzing the fantasy stars of tomorrow. Unfortunately, from Ron Dayne to Brian Calhoun, the transition from one level to the next has seldom been pretty. While Montee Ball offers hope, Melvin Gordon is the true prize and the man most likely to shake the stigma attached to Badger backs. His pure running skills are among the best in the nation.

Devin Funchess, WR Michigan Wolverines

Devin Funchess appears to be one of the more polarizing prospects in the nation. Many love his skills and potential as a matchup nightmare; others abhor his hands and question his true position. Whatever your opinion, 2014 stands as an obviously crucial year in his development.

Stefon Diggs, WR Maryland Terrapins

The arrival of Maryland in the Big Ten gives fans in the Midwest the rare treat of seeing Stefon Diggs in action. He’s an elite all-purpose weapon and a first round talent despite size concerns.

Ameer Abdullah, RB Nebraska Cornhuskers

The slithery Ameer Abdullah has had Big Ten defenders literally seeing red and then watching it vanish as he pirouettes past them in the open field. He’s a high efficiency player that can make an impact with limited touches.

David Cobb, RB Minnesota Golden Gophers

There was a small army ahead of David Cobb on the Gophers’ running back depth chart when the 2013 season started. Through part natural attrition and part sheer ineptitude, Cobb found himself starting early in the year and never relinquished the role. A no nonsense, north-south runner, he’s limited athletically and lacks natural receiving skills, both which conspire to limit his upside to that of an effective college back.

Christian Hackenburg, QB Penn State Nittany Lions

Dazzling with his physical tools and displaying high level toughness and poise, Christian Hackenburg has established himself as an elite devy quarterback despite only having one year under his belt. With Bill O’Brien out of the mix, he will have an opportunity to show he is far more than just a product of a well-respected system.

Corey Clement, RB Wisconsin Badgers

Much like Gordon, Corey Clement is more than just another runner succeeding behind a juggernaut offensive line. His powerful frame and short area quickness have made him one of the coveted assets at the position.

Tevin Coleman, RB Indiana Hoosiers

Tevin Coleman has a long, lean sprinter’s build and it shows as he accelerates beyond the second level. A true speed back with natural receiving skills, he is falling a bit under the radar as a weapon that can be utilized in multiple facets of the game.

Braxton Miller, QB Ohio State Buckeyes

Urban Meyer’s arrival has helped Braxton Miller emerge as one of the Big Ten’s top offensive playmakers. His passing skills, however, leave something to be desired. He may be the Tajh Boyd of this year’s class.

Leonte Carroo, WR Rutgets Scarlet Knights

If you turned away from a Rutgers game for ten seconds last year, you likely missed a Leonte Carroo touchdown. The rising junior had nine scores on only 28 grabs and has untapped potential.

Venric Mark, RB Northwester Wildcats

Venric Mark is on the Evan Eschmeyer Wildcat Plan as he returns for his fifth year. A highly productive yet incredibly diminutive back, he is a bit player at best in the NFL.

Jeremy Langford, RB Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State’s running game did not miss a beat despite the loss of Le’Veon Bell to the NFL, largely thanks to Jeremy Langford. Unlike Bell – who is far from a dominant talent himself – Langford is not blessed with elite size or hands. He is a player to avoid in devy drafts.

Paul James, RB Rutgers Scarlet Knights

An easy guy to root for, former walk-on Paul James asserted himself as the Scarlet Knights’ lead back in 2013. If he shakes the injury bug that has plagued him, he is a dark horse to emerge as one of the top backs in that second-tier of runners available in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Ready To Emerge

Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State Buckeyes

While a lot of focus goes to Dontre Wilson, it is Ezekiel Elliott that is the favorite to replace Carlos Hyde as the workhorse in Urban Meyer’s offense. A Missouri track star, he has elite long speed and a lead back frame that should be put to test early as the Buckeyes’ strength on offense lies with their run game. Expect big numbers in 2014 as he establishes himself as one of the conference’s better backs.

DeAngelo Yancey, WR Purdue Boilermakers

[inlinead]Long gone are the days when Drew Brees carved up Big Ten defenses from the pocket. The Purdue football program has become a sad state of affairs, yet even amidst an anemic season, hope was offered due to the freshman campaign of DeAngelo Yancey. A physically mature college player, he’s able to muscle his way through defenses and has deep ball panache despite pedestrian wheels. If you can stomach a Boilermaker game, dial in on number 80.

Connor Cook, QB Michigan State Spartans

You could argue that as the quarterback for the reigning Rose Bowl champs, Connor Cook has already had his breakout campaign. However, as the Spartans lean on him more, his profile should continue to rise, especially from a devy standpoint. Though Michigan State will likely remain a run first offense that lets its defense do the heavy lifting, Cook’s numbers should rise and he could shoot past more heralded prospects such as Bryce Petty.

Akeel Lynch, RB Penn State Nittany Lions

Bill Belton returns as the Nittany Lions top rusher, but Akeel Lynch is going to make a serious push to be top dog and stands as the best long-term prospect in the group. A chain moving back with the ability to sidestep heavy hits and make subtle cuts in the hole, he’s an intelligent runner with a big future in Happy Valley.

Andre Patton, WR Rutgers Scarlet Knights

After spending time this offseason discussing Amara Darboh and Andre Patton, I must be smitten with rangy receivers whose college production is close to nill. The Rutgers receiver spent his freshman year middling on special teams; with Brandon Coleman no longer part of the equation he may hold the title of most talented receiver on the roster.

Deon Long, WR Maryland Terrapins

The debut season for Deon Long was truncated due to injury, as he joined Stefon Diggs on the sideline with a serious leg injury. Prior to having his season ended, Long was terrorizing defenses that shifted coverage to his more heralded counterpart. With a full year of health, he may quietly shift himself into the day two conversation at next year’s draft.

Most Overrated

Dontre Wilson profiles as a jack-of-all trades weapon in Urban Meyer’s offense, one who can carve a defense up at any level and add pizzazz to a slumping return game. He’s also an incredibly undersized athlete that’s not built to excel between the tackles or on the perimeter of a defense. I am confident he’s poised to become a dynamic weapon at the college level. I am less confident he has a bright NFL future.

Most Underrated

If you’re looking for a rugged, jumbo tight end that can create mismatch chaos due to his size and strength, you’ll eventually land on Jesse James. With Allen Robinson now in Jacksonville, there is ample opportunity in the Nittany Lions’ passing game. Expect James to emerge as a Hackenburg favorite.

Big Ten Top 10

  1. Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin
  2. Stefon Diggs, WR Maryland
  3. Devin Funchess, WR Michigan
  4. Ameer Abdullah, RB Nebraska
  5. Corey Clement, RB Wisconsin
  6. Christian Hackenburg, QB Penn State
  7. Paul James, RB Rutgers
  8. Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State
  9. Tevin Coleman, RB Indiana
  10. Deon Long, WR Maryland

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rob willette