Devy 100: 25-21

Rob Willette Posted On August 28, 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.

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.

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25. Najee Harris, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

Profile: The Tide are no strangers to gargantuan backs. From Derrick Henry to Bo Scarbrough to Najee Harris, Alabama has rolled out a string of brutish backs. Much like his predecessors, Harris is more than just a power back. He’s a flexible athlete with adequate burst and soft hands which portend a big future in the passing game. He’s nuanced enough to pick up many of those hidden yards on inside runs, yet also runs with a nasty demeanor which can demoralize a defense over four quarters. Well-equipped to be a feature back and with advanced passing game skills, Harris is a big-time prospect with only early opportunity holding him back.

2018 Outlook: Unfortunately for Harris, his backfield counterpart Damien Harris returns to muddy up an already busy backfield. We are unlikely to see Najee emerge as the bellcow until 2019, though he should easily blow past last year’s 61 carries. He will form a four-headed monster with Harris, Joshua Jacobs and Brian Robinson.

24. Justin Shorter, WR Penn State Nittany Lions

Profile: There is nary a box Justin Shorter fails to check from a physical perspective. The 6’4”, 215 pound receiver is a handful for any defender, and displays graceful feet along with a great on-field work ethic. A deity amongst insects at the high school level, Shorter will of course have to adjust to combatting something more resembling his physical peer in the B1G, but he will still be one of the game’s better athletes whenever he steps on the field. Big, competitive and absent the crippling stiffness you see from many big receivers, Shorter has one of the highest ceilings in college football. He figures to become nearly unstoppable once Penn State’s famed strength program gets its hands on him.

2018 Outlook: Despite losing Saquon Barkley, the Nittany Lion offense should continue to be productive with Trace McSorley under center. Juwan Johnson is penciled as the team’s number one, but three of PSU’s top four receivers from last year are gone. Shorter has the frame and mental makeup to thrive immediately.

23. Devin Singletary, RB Florida Atlantic Owls

Profile: ‘Motor’ Singletary became the engine of Lane Kiffin’s bunch, rolling up an obscene 32 touchdowns in 2017. What he lacks in flash he makes up for in function. His strides are efficient and he does not waste yards traveling in east and west. He glides into the second level and his balance at contact is bordering on elite. With 45 receptions over his first two years, Singletary has proven to be an adept receiver. A well-rounded prospect with production in spades, Singletary is a sum of his parts back who can easily lead a NFL backfield.

2018 Outlook: There is little reason to be expect Singletary’s production to drop-off in 2018. While 32 touchdowns are tough to repeat, he should easily match his 320 touches from 2017 as the focal point of the Owls’ offense. Another dominant season is in the cards with a possible Day Two grade come 2019.

22. CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma Sooners

Profile: The Sooners were absurdly stacked at the skill positions in 2017, yet summer enrollee CeeDee Lamb still made a strong enough impression through fall camp to make an immediate impact. A bendy, smooth athlete whose sinewy build belies his game strength, Lamb is dripping with alpha receiver tools. For all the buzz surrounding the 2020 running back class, prospects like Lamb are reason to get excited about the wide receiver group as well.

2018 Outlook: Passing efficiency is sure to take a downturn following the departure of Baker Mayfield. Kyler Murray, however, can keep this offense humming and has enough positive passing traits to feed receivers like Marquise Brown and Lamb. Lincoln Riley is one of the brightest minds in college football and he will find a way to utilize an elite talent like Lamb. He should rival Denzel Mims, T.J. Vasher and Jalen Reagor to be the Big 12’s best receiver in 2018.

21. Justice Hill, RB Oklahoma State Cowboys

Profile: After playing his freshman season at what you could generously call 180 pounds, Justice Hill added 10-15 pounds of good weight as a sophomore. While I am often hesitant to embrace runners who add weight, Hill did not lose a single step as he became one of the nation’s most effective backs. The Oklahoma State scheme does offer some massive running lanes, but Hill’s electric feet and effortless jump cuts make for a dynamic player in space. While still light, I am pretty bullish on Hill’s ability to carve out a significant role at the NFL level.

2018 Outlook: Without Mason Rudolph, James Washington, or Marcell Ateman, this is Hill’s offense. He could blow past his 299 touches from last year as the Cowboys transition to a new man under center. His production profile will only grow as he cements himself as a notable prospect for 2019.

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