Dynasty Scouts Conference Review: SEC

Ryan McDowell

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

Rawleigh Williams III, RB Arkansas (Sophomore)

16 carries, 205 yards, four touchdowns, 1/1 passing, one yard, one touchdown vs. Mississippi State

Running back Rawleigh Williams III has had a huge year and entered this SEC showdown with over 1,000 rushing yards already under his belt. He added over 200 more yards to that total, which was enough to claim the league lead over the injured Kamryn Pettway of Auburn. Williams also scored four rushing touchdowns on the day and even threw for one on a surprise play.

Rising

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Josh Dobbs, QB Tennessee (Senior)

15/22 passing, 223 yards, three touchdowns, 10 carries, 190 rushing yards, two touchdowns vs. Missouri

Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs once again put up monster numbers against an SEC foe as the Volunteers smashes Mizzou. Dobbs threw for over 200 yards and nearly rushed for 200. He also accounted for five total touchdowns, just as he’d done the previous week. That gives him 13 total scores over the Vols three game win streak. Dobbs could be an underrated player as we near the NFL Draft evaluation season.

Damarea Crockett, RB Missouri (Freshman)

24 carries, 225 yards, one touchdown vs. Tennessee

I hesitated to include freshman running back Damarea Crockett on this list, not because of his play on the field, which has been a nice surprise for the struggling Tigers, but for what happened after he gashed the Tennessee defense for 225 yards. Early Sunday morning, Crockett was arrested for drug possession. There’s been no word on any penalties that could be in store for the freshman, but off-field issues are never a good sign, especially for such a young player. Crockett’s big game put him over the 1,000 yard mark for the season and he’s now up to ten touchdowns on the season, as well.snell

Benny Snell, Jr., RB Kentucky (Freshman)

14 carries, 152 yards, one touchdown vs. Austin Peay

Breakout star Benny Snell, Jr. did it again for the Kentucky Wildcats. After a sluggish start, the Cats ran all over their lesser opponent and it was Snell leading the way. He gained over 150 yards on just 14 carries and scored his twelfth touchdown of the season. Snell and junior running back Boom Williams also became the first Kentucky duo to both rush for 1,000 yards in one season.

Falling

Sony Michel, RB Georgia (Junior)

13 carries, 41 yards vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Georgia running back Sony Michel has had his share of big games this year, twice rushing for more than 120 yards. Last season, he did his main work as a receiver, though this year he has only 104 receiving yards for the season. Although he is a junior and draft eligible, I’d be very surprised if he opts to declare for the NFL Draft, as his teammate Nick Chubb is expected to do.

Malachi Dupre, WR LSU (Junior)

Two receptions, 39 yards vs. Florida

Another week, another ho hum game from LSU’s junior receiver Malachi Dupre, who was once viewed, at least by dynasty players, as the top wideout in this class. Now, he may not even be in a position to declare early for the NFL Draft. Dupre has yet to eclipse 100 receiving yards in any game this year and the pair of touchdowns he caught several weeks ago against Southern Miss remain his only trips to the end zone this season. Against Florida and the strong secondary, Dupre caught two balls for 39 yards. If he does declare, Dupre would make an attractive option in the second round of dynasty rookie drafts based on upside alone.

Alabama Update

Like many SEC teams, the Crimson Tide played host to a non-conference opponent last week, welcoming Chattanooga into town. It’s no surprise that Bama cruised, winning 31-3, though they did get off to a slow start. Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts was his typical dual-threat self, throwing for 136 yards and three touchdowns and running for another 68 yards.

It’s been an up and down season for Alabama sophomore running back Damien Harris, who has dealt with multiple minor injuries. Saturday he was back on top, leading the team in rushing with 91 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries. With Harris, freshmen Joshua Jacobs and BJ Emmons and redshirt sophomore Bo Scarbrough, not to mention incoming freshman Najee Harris, the nation’s top overall recruit, I can’t wait to see how head coach Nick Saban manages the backfield in 2017.

It was a quiet day for the passing game, outside of star receiver Calvin Ridley, who finally had a big game. Ridley’s seven receptions for 94 yards are both high marks for Ridley over the past six weeks when he put up 11 for 174 on Kentucky. Ridley remains one of the top prizes in the class of 2018. Tight end OJ Howard was held in check with just one reception and veteran receiver ArDarius Stewart was suspended by the team, though he is expected to return for this week’s showdown with rival Auburn.

Freshman Spotlight

Tyrie Cleveland, WR Florida (Freshman)

Three receptions, 124 yards, one touchdown vs. LSU

Florida freshman Tyrie Cleveland arrived on campus as one of the highest ranked recruits in the country, but he hasn’t made the impact some had hoped…until last Saturday. In a breakout game against LSU, Cleveland caught three passes from quarterback Austin Appleby for 124 yards, including a 98-yard score, the second-longest touchdown in school history. Cleveland evidently predicted his huge play, telling his teammates in the huddle to meet him in the end zone. After dealing with both an injury and a suspension early in the season, Cleveland looks like he is ready to be a consistent contributor as the Gators’ season winds down.

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ryan mcdowell