Dynasty Scouts Conference Review: SEC
Here at Dynasty Scouts, we’ll always do our best to keep you informed about the latest happenings in college football. We watch all of the games so you don’t have to. Here’s some of what we noticed this past weekend.
SEC
Premier Conference Performer
Derrius Guice, RB LSU (Sophomore)
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17 carries, 163 yards, three touchdowns vs. Missouri
It took a drastic change, the firing of longtime head coach Les Miles, but the LSU Tigers finally played up to expectations last week, destroying the Missouri Tigers and setting a school record for total yardage. That charge was led by sophomore running back Derrius Guice, who started in place of the injured Leonard Fournette. While Fournette is the known commodity, Guice was a highly ranked player coming out of high school as well and there are some who consider him to be the better all-around player. Guice showed why as he racked up 163 yards and three scores in the dominant performance. Dynasty owners will have to wait until the spring of 2018 to get their mitts of Guice.
Rising
Joshua Jacobs, RB Alabama (Freshman)
16 carries, 100 rushing yards, one touchdown, three receptions, 44 yards
When sophomore running back Damien Harris went down with a knee injury, it gave a huge opportunity for someone else in the Crimson Tide backfield to step up and claim a larger role. That was expected to be sophomore Bo Scarbrough or freshman BJ Emmons, both of whom had been playing relatively well in limited action. Instead, another lesser-known freshman, Joshua Jacobs, looks to have taken advantage of this chance. In his second game as the primary ball carrier for Alabama, Jacobs enjoyed his first career 100-yard rushing game and also chipped in with 44 yards as a receiver.
Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama (Sophomore)
11 receptions, 174 yards, two touchdowns vs. Kentucky
The best receiver in the league was on display once again as Alabama’s Calvin Ridley repeatedly torched the Wildcats in the blowout win. Ridley finished with 11 receptions for 174 yards, both career highs, also adding two touchdowns from quarterback Jalen Hurts. Ridley is solidifying his spot as the top receiver in the class of 2018.
Ralph Webb, RB Vanderbilt (Junior)
24 carries, 104 yards vs. Florida
In the midst another dismal season for the Vanderbilt Commodores, running back Ralph Webb is quietly having a noteworthy season. Webb has been a workhorse for Vandy, carrying the ball 20 or more times in all but one contest this season. He rushed for over 100 yards in a surprisingly close game against Florida last week and had a monster 211-yard performance against Middle Tennessee earlier in the season. Webb is likely to be a late draft pick once he ends his college eligibility, but he’s a player that could form a strong half of a committee attack.
Jared Cornelius, WR Arkansas (Junior)
Four receptions, 106 yards, two touchdowns
The Arkansas Razorbacks have been in need of a go-to wide receiver and may have found it in the emerging junior Jared Cornelius, who is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games. Cornelius was little more than a role player in the past two season, but through four games, he’s nearly eclipsed his entire season-long production from his sophomore season.
Falling
Tyrie Cleveland, WR Florida (Freshman)
Two receptions, nine yards
With so many other freshmen around the conference playing well, the slow start for top recruit Tyrie Cleveland is noticeable. Cleveland has just three receptions on the season after dealing with an injury and a suspension to open the season. The Gators need the talented freshman to get on track and he’ll have a chance against a strong SEC schedule in the coming weeks.
Jalen Hurd, RB Tennessee (Junior)
10 carries, 42 yards, three receptions, 50 yards, one touchdown vs. Georgia
While the overall statline for Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd looks solid, Hurd has been losing carries to teammate Alvin Kamara and last week against Georgia, Kamara led the Vols in rushing. Hurd was able to help out with some work as a receiver, including a touchdown, but he’s not looking like a future every-down NFL back.
Travin Dural, WR LSU (Senior)
Four receptions, 34 yards
Malachi Dupre, WR LSU (Junior)
Four receptions, 37 yards
The LSU wide receiver duo of Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre, both expected to be available in the 2017 NFL Draft, continue to show up on this list. Even with a record-breaking offensive performance under interim head coach Ed Orgeron, the passing game, specifically Dural and Dupre, couldn’t get going. Both players caught four passes, but for minimal yardage. As the Tigers continue to evolve under their new coach, hopefully we see some marked improvement in the passing game.
Freshmen Spotlight
Jacob Eason, QB Georgia (Freshman)
211 passing yards, two touchdowns vs. Tennessee
Riley Ridley, WR Georgia (Freshman)
Two receptions, 59 receiving yards, one touchdown vs. Tennessee
Isaac Nauta , TE Georgia (Freshman)
Five receptions, 83 receiving yards, one touchdown vs. Tennessee
When a trio of talented freshmen are all hitting their stride at once, people take notice and that is what is happening with the Georgia Bulldogs. Freshman quarterback Jacob Eason was considered the top incoming quarterback by many and he earned the starting job early in the season and hasn’t looked back. He is improving each game. It helps when he has some players around him like receiver Riley Ridley, younger brother of Alabama’s star wideout, and tight end Isaac Nauta, who led the Bulldogs in receiving Saturday against the Volunteers. Georgia is taking their lumps right now with so many young players, they have a very bright future.
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