Dynasty Scouts Conference Review: SEC

Ryan McDowell Posted On November 4, 2016

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

Kamryn Pettway, RB Auburn (Sophomore)

30 carries, 236 yards, one touchdown vs. Mississippi

Burly sophomore back Kamryn Pettway played well enough as a replacement for injured starter Kerryon Johnson over the past couple of weeks that even when Johnson returned to the field last week as Auburn squared off against Ole Miss, Pettway was still the featured runner. He carried the ball 30 times for 236 yards and a touchdown. The yardage bests his total from the previous week as a new career high. Over the past three weeks, Pettway has over 600 total yards and six touchdowns and he leads the SEC in rushing. On a side note, Johnson also played well in his return, totaling 85 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Tigers clearly realize they can easy him back into a full-time role as they have a pair of talented backs.

Rising

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Jordan Scarlett, RB Florida (Sophomore)

26 carries, 93 rushing yards, one touchdown vs. Georgia

The Florida Gators have used a committee backfield for the majority of the season, which has included Mark Thompson, Lamical Perine and sophomore Jordan Scarlett. As the season winds down, it appears Scarlett may be taking command of the touches. With Thompson suspended last week, Scarlett handled a career high 26 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown. It was Scarlett’s sixth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown this season.

Evan Engram, TE Mississippi (Senior)

Nine receptions, 95 yards, one touchdown vs. Auburn

Despite a loaded wide receiver depth chart, Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram has established himself as the go to option for quarterback Chad Kelly. As Kelly threw for a school record 465 yards last week, Engram led the team in receiving, catching nine passes for 95 yards and one of Kelly’s three touchdowns. Dynasty players were a bit disappointed when Engram opted to stay in school following his junior season last year, but they will be rewarded as Engram and other talented tight ends make up the best class we’ve seen in some time.

Nick Fitzgerald, QB Mississippi State (Sophomore)

417 yards, five touchdowns, 19 carries, 119 yards, two touchdowns vs. Samford

I haven’t seen enough of Bulldogs first year starter Nick Fitzgerald to have a good feel for his pro potential, but it’s not fair to ignore the show he put on against poor Samford. Fitzgerald, who runs the ball anytime he can, easily set a new career high with over 400 passing yards and five scores. With passing numbers like that, it might seem that there wasn’t much room left for any rushing production, but he also led the team, as he often down, with 19 carries for 119 yards and two more touchdowns. The seven touchdowns Fitzgerald was responsible for is a new school record. Fitzgerald also leads the team in rushing this season by a wide margin and is on pace for over 1,000 rushing yards.

Falling

Jalen Hurd, RB Tennessee (Junior)

Eight carries, 16 yards, one touchdown vs. South Carolina

The Tennessee football team is falling apart. Not only have they now lost three straight games following their defeat at the hands of South Carolina, but their star running back, Jalen Hurd, has decided to leave the team. Reportedly, Hurd was dissatisfied with his role in the offense. It’s been noted here and elsewhere that his teammate Alvin Kamara has often looked like the more talented player. Many expected Hurd to bolt for the NFL after this season, but he is reportedly looking to transfer and play his final college season for another school. Hurd is even said to be considering a position switch to wide receiver or tight end. This is a disaster for his devy value. Not only do owners have to hold Hurd for an additional year before he hits the NFL, but a late position switch rarely works out for players. Also, one scout has already suggested this decision to leave his team in mid-season will be a major red flag in his evaluation for the NFL.

Nick Chubb, RB Georgia (Junior)

Nine carries, 20 yards vs. Florida

The Georgia Bulldogs once again lost last week to an SEC foe and starting running back Nick Chubb once again looked pedestrian, nothing like the player we saw in the past two seasons. Chubb totaled just 20 yards on nine carries as the Florida defense stomped out the running game from the start. In eight games this season, Chubb has only eclipsed 100 yards just twice and has averaged three yards or less in three contests, including the past two games. The Georgia season has been a complete disappointment and it is difficult to discern how much of Chubb’s poor play is his fault or perhaps the blame goes to the offensive line. Regardless, it is becoming more and more difficult to include Chubb with the other potentially elite backs in the class of 2017, namely Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook.

Josh Malone, WR Tennessee (Junior)

Four receptions, 42 yards vs. South Carolina

As I mentioned, the Volunteers are obviously trending down, losing three straight after opening the season 5-0. Part of those struggles has to do with their lack of weapons at the receiver position. Once viewed as a wide receiver hotbed, Tennessee has struggled to grow their talent. One example is junior receiver Josh Malone, who you would never know was once viewed as a high-end NFL prospect. Malone has been average this year, never breaking the 100-yard mark and failing to find the end zone for the past month.

Freshman Spotlight

Benny Snell, RB Kentucky (Freshmen)

38 carries, 192 yards, two touchdowns vs. Missouri

Kentucky freshman running back Benny Snell didn’t even see the field in the season’s first two games, which was little surprise considering the deep Wildcat backfield including Boom Williams. When he was called upon though, Snell made an impact and he hasn’t stopped. With Williams nursing an injury several weeks ago, Snell was inserted into the game for his first college action. He carried the ball 17 times for 136 yards and a whopping four scores. Since then, Snell has been a main contributor to the Kentucky offense and last week against Missouri he set a new career high mark for both carries (38) and yards (192) helping the Wildcats win their third consecutive SEC game. With Williams potentially off to the NFL after this season, Snell could be a fast riser in the devy community.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.