Devy 100: 100-96

Rob Willette Posted On March 1, 2018

It is time for the annual installment of the Devy 100, the third-most ballyhooed set of devy rankings completed within the greater Southwest Minneapolis area. As always, whittling this down to a mere one hundred was no simple task. If there is anybody you believe was omitted erroneously, feel free to pop in the comments and express your displeasure.

100. Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU Tigers

Profile: A one-time Kansas and Florida commit, Ja’Marr Chase eventually landed with his hometown Tigers and combines with Terrace Marshall to give LSU arguably the best recruiting duo at the position this year. Most high school receivers have at least one glaring weakness which stands out. Chase, however, is possibly this cycle’s most complete receiver. He’s filled out and ready for the physical rigors of the college game, and he’s nuanced both before and after the catch with enough speed to separate for the big play. Given his advanced toolkit, there’s reason to believe Chase could quickly ascend the ranks as a breakout performer in 2018.

2018 Outlook: The Tigers lose top receiver DJ Chark, and former highly-rated recruits Drake Davis, Stephen Sullivan, and Dee Anderson have yet to establish themselves as anything more than niche pieces. The aforementioned Marshall and rising sophomore JaCoby Stevens should also push for reps, though a key role is there for the taking if the transition to the college game goes as smoothly as expected for Chase. The tandem of Myles Brennan and Lowell Narcisse (whoever wins the starting job) remains the key to unlocking a passing game which has the weapons outside to thrive.

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99. Jaelen Gill, RB Ohio State Buckeyes

Profile: While this is a rather insipid offering of freshmen runners, it is salvaged by the fact many are advanced pass catchers. Buckeye recruit Jaelen Gill is one such talent, a back built a bit like a receiver and one with elite skills in the passing game. With electric speed and incredible ball skills, Gill seems destined to move into Urban Meyer’s famed H-back role, one which has seen its stars produce monster numbers over the years. While unlikely to become a feature back in the mold of a Mike Weber or Carlos Hyde, he appears to have a defined role in the Ohio State offense starting in 2019.

2018 Outlook: While Gill’s role looks defined, his path to it is currently blocked. Parris Campbell and K.J. Hill both spend time in the aforementioned H-back position and J.K. Dobbins and Weber should dominate carries. A redshirt season could well be in the cards given how established Ohio State’s depth chart is.

98. Jordan Young, WR Florida State Seminoles

Profile: One of this year’s great recruiting mysteries, Jordan Young was a little-known product despite dominating in the talent-rich state of Georgia. The story quickly changed when Young committed to Tennessee, and they weren’t the only big program to come calling, as evidenced by his Signing Day flip to Florida State. A late-bloomer on the gridiron, Young is an accomplished hurdler and a monster at the catch point. He is one of this cycle’s true in-the-air talents and had he not had such a light recruiting profile prior to 2017, he may have been considered one of the top talents in a loaded group of freshmen receivers.

2018 Outlook: With a new staff in place, the Seminoles are a bit of an unknown. Starting receiver Auden Tate is moving on, leaving Nyqwan Murray and Keith Gavin as the only somewhat established receivers on the roster. Despite perceived opportunity – especially in a situation where past performance is unlikely to dictate much – I am hesitant to expect much from a receiver who is still early in the evolution of his game.

97. David Sills, WR West Virginia Mountaineers

Profile: The David Sills story has been told countless times. I’ll refrain from rehashing; the most important footnote in his tale is the fact he has become a legitimate NFL receiving prospect. Extremely light on production entering 2017, Sills exploded to tie for the national lead in receiving touchdowns at 18 while emerging as one of the nation’s most dangerous red zone threats. Standing at 6’3” and 204 pounds, he checks all the boxes from a build perspective and has proven chops on tight window throws. Satisfying other athletic question marks will be a key at the NFL Combine (as it is for most prospects), but there’s little reason to doubt Sills earns his NFL shot in 2019.

2018 Outlook: With fellow star Will Grier returning, there’s little reason to believe the Mountaineer offense won’t continue to operate at an obscenely productive level. While the 18 touchdowns will be hard to match, Sills can breach the 1,000-yard mark and add a nice production profile to his intriguing physical skill-set.

96. Tyler Johnson, WR Minnesota Golden Gophers

Profile: Left to carry one of the nation’s most unwatchable offenses, Tyler Johnson posted a remarkable 47% market share prior to succumbing to a season-ending injury late in 2017. A bendy athlete with good straight-line speed, Johnson was one of a sad few reasons to Row The Boat with P.J. Fleck in 2017.

2018 Outlook: The receiving talent in Minnesota should be vastly improved in 2018, only because a drop-off would mean the University of Minnesota has cut the football program altogether. Even with theoretically more mouths to feed, Johnson is the alpha in the passing game and the offense’s best player in totality. With any modicum of serviceable play under center, Johnson should be one of the BIG’s best receivers and a potential early-entry into the 2019 NFL Draft.

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