Devy Conference Preview: SEC West

Rob Willette Posted On August 26, 2014

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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.

It is no secret the SEC is stacked with NFL talent. The division most flush with talent is the west, a septet that could join together to make a competitive NFL squad. Instead of wasting characters further extolling the devy virtues of this group, let’s dive right into the talent.

Known Commodities

T.J. Yeldon, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

If you were not familiar with T.J. Yeldon as a five star recruit, you quickly became acquainted following his breakout performance against Michigan in the first game of his career. A lanky runner with an awkward gait, he wins due to versatility and subtle cuts in the open field. He’s not quite as dynamic as his current price tag would indicate.

Alex Collins, RB Arkansas Razorbacks

Alex Collins quickly made fans forget about his signing day fiasco by clearing 100 yards in his first three games and surpassing 1,000 for the season. Thought to be more of a change of pace runner coming out of high school, he quickly demonstrated that his smaller frame packs a lot of power and is built to handle a heavy workload. A young, well-rounded runner with plenty of room to grow, he is one of the top devy backs in the nation.

Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss Rebels

2013 mega-recruit Laquon Treadwell had a credible if uninspiring freshman season. At 8.3 yards per catch, he was the Trent Richardson for college football receivers. However, that low number can be largely attributed to usage. With Donte Moncrief gone, Treadwell is ready to use his physically overpowering frame to torch the SEC and cement himself as an elite prospect.

Kenyan Drake, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

Seemingly tethered to Nick Saban’s doghouse for eternity, Kenyan Drake was suspended indefinitely following a July arrest. While the transgression appears relatively minor, it has certainly done nothing to endear Drake to the coaching staff following fumbling issues in 2013. An explosive one-cut runner with an atypical build, he’s the speed back in Alabama’s backfield yet has somewhat of a checkered past at this point.

Jonathan Williams, RB Arkansas Razorbacks

While Georgia and Alabama’s backfields get much of the acclaim, the Razorbacks have quietly built a deep depth chart at the position. The most experienced of those runners is Jonathan Williams, a big back with nimble feet and soft hands that is still a legitimate NFL prospect despite being arguably the third most talented runner on his team.

Amari Cooper, WR Alabama Crimson Tide

The buzz generated by Amari Cooper during his freshman campaign fizzled when faced with ongoing injury woes during his sophomore year. When on top of his game, he’s an underrated athlete that competes at the catch point. While he may not reach the elite prospect stratosphere, he’s still one of the better receivers available in 2015.

Hunter Henry, TE Arkansas Razorbacks

One of a few tight ends on the devy radar, Hunter Henry flashed dominant tools as a true freshman, using his size to manhandle defenders and his sneaky athleticism to get downfield with regularity. He demonstrates a feel for the position beyond his years and is worth a roster spot.

Terrance McGee, RB LSU Tigers

[inlinead]Emerging from nowhere to become Jeremy Hill’s caddy, Terrance McGee placed himself on the devy map. A no-nonsense runner that invents extra yardage, he’s a reliable back that could carve out a role as a career back up.

O.J. Howard, TE Alabama Crimson Tide

One of the nation’s most dangerous weapons as a true freshman, O.J. Howard is another youngster with an advanced game. Imposing near the stripe, he has long-term upside as an elite fantasy tight end despite a small body of work.

Derrick Henry, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

It can be argued that Derrick Henry is receiving a lot of hype based on one bowl performance against Oklahoma. However, mammoth backs that have silky smooth movements tend to find success. He’s arguably the league’s top devy talent.

Corey Grant, RB Auburn Tigers

The grapevine will tell you that Corey Grant blistered through the forty in less than one second during Auburn’s spring practices. The speed confirmations coming out of camp, of course, are always embellished. He is, however, a true burner that could play a change of pace role at the next level.

Ready To Emerge

Ricky Seals-Jones, WR Texas A&M Aggies

Ricky Seals-Jones would be an established star had his freshman year not been washed away by injury. He’s surprisingly quick off the line and flat out dominant in jump ball situations. The Aggies turn over a lot of offensive talent, yet should continue to pile up points with athletes like Seals-Jones.

Leonard Fournette, RB LSU Tigers

It is surprising that the career of Leonard Fournette is just getting underway given how long he has been under the microscope. One of the more ballyhooed prospects in recent memory, we’ll finally get an opportunity to see him in action this fall. Opportunity is there in Baton Rouge, with only McGee and Kenny Hilliard returning as established runners, and neither can touch the talent that Fournette possesses. Already close to 20 years old and physically ready, you want to see him step on the field and dominate from day one. If he does, he may be untouchable after the 2014 season. If there are any struggles, he may become another prospect that lives solely off of pre-collegiate hype.

Korliss Marshall, RB Arkansas Razorbacks

A large portion of the Razorbacks running back depth chart makes an appearance in this preview, with Korliss Marshall – star of Arkansas’ fall camp – ready to explode onto the national scene. The offense can support three productive backs, and Marshall may be the best athlete of the group. A shifty between the tackles runner with explosive breakaway speed, he’s going to rival Collins for pub during the 2014 season.

De’Runnya Wilson, WR Mississippi State Bulldogs

Basketball backgrounds are not just for tight ends. Following in the footsteps of Mike Evans, De’Runnya Wilson spent a majority of his high school career on the hardwood before realizing his future was on the gridiron. A mammoth-sized wideout capable of physically mandhandling defenders, Wilson already wins at the catch point and has surprising fluidity for a man his size. Still a work in progress, 2014 may not truly be his breakout season, but the upside is enormous.

Malachi Dupre, WR LSU Tigers

Receiving stalwarts Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry and are in the NFL, leaving a huge void at the position. Malachi Dupre fell under the radar a bit amidst the Speedy Noil hype, yet his long-term upside far surpasses the Aggies’ speedster. An incredibly fluid athlete with climb the ladder ability, Dupre will be a red zone terror from day one and could even be the Tigers’ top target. He’s that good, and will duel another SEC player for title as the best freshman receiver in the nation.

Most Overrated

It is not that I dislike T.J. Yeldon. I’ve just always disliked his price tag. He’s versatile and figures to have a role in a NFL backfield. What that role is remains to be seen. With an upright running style and choppy feet, he may not be a true feature runner. I’d happily have him on my devy roster, just not at his current price.

Most Underrated

The easiest subset of prospects to lose track of are those who redshirt during their first season on campus. One such individual is Peyton Barber, arguably Auburn’s most talented back in 2013 despite the presence of Tre Mason. A 5’11, 225 pound specimen with sprinter speed, he Auburn’s prolific run-heavy offense will give him a chance to produce numbers even in a deep backfield.

SEC West Top 10