Devy 100: 75-71

Rob Willette Posted On May 26, 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. If you missed any of the previous versions, just click on them below. The Devy 100 is designed for the community of DLF to be as informed as possible about all the college prospects and future dynasty stars whether they play in devy leagues or not. Remember, all this information becomes archived in our library of content and goes into our annual Rookie Draft Guide for you to review when each of these players becomes eligible for traditional rookie drafts.

100-96
95-91
90-86
85-81
80-76

Now it’s time for 75-71.

Tyrell Shavers, WR Alabama Crimson Tide

Profile: Alabama had three true freshman receivers make notable contributions during the 2017 season, yet there are many who feel the best of the Tide’s loaded 2017 recruiting receiver class has yet to record a catch. A receiver who stands six and a half feet tall and blazes a 4.38 forty is bound to get his own hype train, though the train was temporarily stationed after a redshirt season in Tuscaloosa. Upside oozes from Shaver’s pores and he provides a much different dynamic from his fellow receiving brethren for Nick Saban’s bunch. Already possessing tools for physical dominance, Shavers deserves attention despite a potentially delayed payoff.

2018 Outlook: Gone is alpha dog Calvin Ridley, yet the aforementioned depth of the 2017 class leaves the receiver room well-stocked with talent. If the Tide turn to Tua Tagovailoa, the passing game may open up. If it is Jalen Hurts, is likely the same limited passing offense with a committee replacing the numbers of Ridley. Perhaps most importantly, we will get a glimpse of the strides Shavers has made both in regards to his physical composition as well as his route running.

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Asa Martin, RB Auburn Tigers

Profile: Despite being Alabama’s Mr. Football and as highly ranked as the third running back in the class per Rivals, Asa Martin has not received much hype to date. However, he is a high effort runner who excels as a receiver. In fact, he received heavy interest from the Crimson Tide during the recruiting process, which is notable since Alabama brought in two high-end receiving backs in this class. He will need to bulk up to continue his rugged running style in the perpetually physical SEC, though with expected gains in the weight room, I am bullish enough on Martin to have him as my third-rated running back in the 2018 class.

2018 Outlook: Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway moved on and with them goes a boatload (the official devy term) of carries. The Tigers backfield is wide open with incumbents Devan Barrett and Kam Martin figuring to carve out a role and fellow freshmen Shaun Shivers and Harold Joiner vying for work. An early-enrollee, I trust Martin’s versatility will allow him to contribute early and often. He is my favorite long-term prospect in this backfield.

Tavien Feaster, RB Clemson Tigers

Profile: A five star recruit per 247Sports in 2016, Feaster has been a productive back in his first two years on campus, yet has failed to match the hype of his recruitment. Such is life for mega-recruits in the Twitter age. However, few possess the straight-line speed of Feaster. His track accomplishments are immense and they translate to the football field, where he is electric operating in space. It is the rest of his game which remains a work in progress. He’s struggled picking up the tough yards and seldom takes the fight to a defender. Refinement in these areas is essential should he graduate beyond being a limited niche back. The elite speed and plus receiving skills still make him an intriguing prospect, though he is in danger of falling off the radar with another solid if unspectacular season.

2018 Outlook: Following the departure of Wayne Gallman, the backfield job looked like Feaster’s to lose. While he was still a big part of it, so was true freshman Travis Etienne. Etienne is fantastic in his own right, though he played more than expected as Feaster failed to put his stamp on the job. It was even carry split 103 to 103 with Etienne proving more productive. The job should be shared by these two again in 2018, though there will still be ample opportunity for Feaster to illustrate any growth in his game.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama Crimson Tide

Profile: Any hopes of landing Tagovailoa at a discount this off-season were buried after his second-half performance in the National Championship. While the 58.3 completion percentage and 6.92 YPA in the game do not jump off the page, he flaunted his arm talent and moxie as a moribund Tide offense woke up as he sparked their comeback. The Hawaii native is an effortless thrower with plus arm strength and the rare ability to be accurate within and out of the pocket. There are not enough superlatives to describe his game and he is set to emerge as one of the nation’s elite quarterbacks.

2018 Outlook: Odd as it may seem, Tagovailoa is no lock to start in 2018 after his heroics. The Tide have two starting-caliber quarterbacks yet little depth behind them. Nick Saban has been forced to be careful with how he handles Jalen Hurts. A transfer at the position could prove crippling to a program whose yearly expectation has become a National Title. Even if Hurts is the nominal starter, Tagovailoa will get plenty of run under center and may be the quarterback of choice in tight contests. He gives the Tide’s offense the highest ceiling and can unlock the potential of its talented sophomore receivers.

Emmanuel Hall, WR Missouri Tigers

Profile: A 6’2” SEC receiver with the ability to beat defenses vertically seems like the profile of a highly-regarded prospect. Instead, Emanuel Hall has remained unheralded behind possible first round pick Drew Lock, 2018 draft pick J’mon Moore, and highly valued devy commodity Damorea Crockett. Hall thrived in Josh Heupel’s wide-open offense, averaging an incredible 24.8 yards per reception on his way to 817 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. Reticence on his overall talent is understandable. To-date, we have seen him thrive utilizing his ability to get vertical and little else. However, it is a trait which plays at all levels, and at the very least the overall package is appealing enough to take notice and invest a late pick in him to see how his game matures.

2018 Outlook: Gone are both the aforementioned J’mon Moore and Offensive Coordinator Josh Heupel. While the absence of Heupel may negatively impact the Missouri offense, it should bode well for Hall as he has every opportunity to surge to the top of the Missouri passing game hierarchy. In turn, he can showcase any growth as a receiver and shake the one-trick pony stigma which attaches itself to many of his ilk.

Stay tuned as we continue to bring you all 100 throughout the Spring and Summer.

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