Devy 100: 25-21

Rob Willette Posted On August 30, 2019

As dynasty owners putter about the interwebs discussing short shuttle times and dissecting the nuances of the Dominator Rating, Devy owners are intently watching Spring Practices and eyeing key positional battles. They say dynasty football never sleeps, but devy football never even rests. From Signing Day (both of them) to fall camp, devy calendars are chock-full of important dates.

The Devy 100 is a breakdown of some of the best collegiate talent around. Players will be missed; others will emerge. My rankings will be cursed from Juneau, Alaska to Key West, Florida. Yet hopefully it provides a modicum of assistance to those navigating the murky waters of deep leagues, struggling to identify their 10th round selection as they decide between Auburn’s third-string running back and an incoming freshman receiver at Ohio State. Without any further inane ramblings, on to the list.

25. Najee Harris, RB Alabama Crimson Tide

The Skinny: A cavalcade of high-end running back recruits have flocked to Tuscaloosa under Nick Saban’s watch, yet perhaps none came with the pedigree of Harris. He was the second-ranked overall player on the 2017 247Sports Composite rankings, and while he’s been a productive player, he has yet to really cement himself as an elite back on a national level. Much is due to the Alabama depth chart; as usual, it has been loaded during his tenure.

He’s also failed to make a mark as a receiver, however, leading to pass game specialists eating into some of his work. As a runner, Harris shows special traits. He’s a behemoth of a man who possesses light feet, giving him a truly rare blend of physicality and agility. He glides through cuts and finishes runs with menace. Harris-the-runner is a rare specimen. If he can add a bit more nuance to his resume, he can emphatically answer questions with regards to whether he is worth the hype.

2019 Outlook: The departure of both Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs is huge for Harris’ opportunity. While Brian Robinson and Jerome Ford will play a role, Harris should handle some fairly large workloads and he is built to thrive with immense volume. There’s little standing between him and a true breakout campaign.

24. Zamir White, RB Georgia Bulldogs

The Skinny: It was a dark August day when we learned White was going to miss his freshman season. The man aptly nicknamed Zeus looked poised to contribute early, a physically blessed teenager with track star speed and such a poised running style he almost looks bored on the football field. Instead, his entire season was washed away in an instant, and questions regarding longevity cropped up given he had torn ACL’s in both knees in less than one calendar year. Fall reports have been positive, however, and ACL tears are not the boogeyman they used to be.

White’s balance is rare and despite his carved-from-marble physique, few are catching him in the open field. He’s the size-speed prototype and has the running instincts to boot, allowing him to maintain a lofty status despite missing his inaugural season.

2019 Outlook: D’Andre Swift is the clear top dog in this backfield and arguably the nation’s best back. However, Elijah Holyfield vacates 159 carries and he was an effective power runner for Georgia in 2018. White could seamlessly slide into Holyfield’s vacated role before taking over for Swift in 2020.

23. John Emery, RB LSU Tigers

The Skinny: From day one, Emery should be one of college football’s most explosive backs. He sets the grass ablaze with his electric feet and obliterates pursuit angles. He is the proverbial big play waiting to happen. He’s a well-built athlete with room to grow, slicing through arm tackles thanks to his balance and poise as a runner. We have not seen much of him as a receiver, but his skills there appear to be at least adequate. A truly special athlete entering a great situation, Emery is my top rated freshman runner with a bullet.

2019 Outlook: Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a quality back deserving of a split in this backfield. Emery’s skill-set complements him well, though, and there is too much talent to keep the true freshman off the field. We may not see a breakout season, but there is little reason to believe his stock will do anything but rise.

22. AJ Dillon, RB Boston College Eagles

The Skinny: A revelation as a freshman, Dillon battled through injuries in 2018. Dillon’s burst was not back until late in the year, and he even missed a few games with a troublesome ankle malady. He put up solid numbers when he was able to take the field, leaving observers and fans wanting to see more. Despite being a massive back pushing 250 pounds, he is tremendous athlete.

He has excellent speed to the second level and showcases incredible agility for a man of his size. While the long speed flatlines pretty early, Dillon is more than just the bruiser his program listing would indicate. The biggest demerit against him at this juncture is his lack of production in the passing game. He has caught eight passes through two seasons (including a donut in his freshman year) and a complete absence of pass-game skills drops him from elite asset to a strong prospect.

2019 Outlook: Good health and an expanded role in the passing game are the only two boxes to check for Dillon in 2019. We know he can be a workhorse. He carried the Boston College offense over the past two seasons. To prove he is more than a two-down thumper, the Eagles need to utilize him in a different fashion, lest his stock tumble due to a lack of versatility.

21. Kylin Hill, RB Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Skinny: There were serious growing pains for Joe Moorhead’s offense in year one in Starkville, but don’t blame Hill for that. He built off a promising campaign, showcasing his patented burst and versatility while amassing 910 total yards in his sophomore season. With a standard video game create-a-player running back frame of 5’11” and 215 pounds, he is a boulder cruising downhill as a runner. He displays soft hands with a flair for route-running in the passing game. It’s his versatility that stands out, as Hill is as comfortable as a receiver as he is as a runner. A full season of work gives him an opportunity to shoot past a few more ballyhooed runners on draft boards.

2019 Outlook: After operating as Mississippi State’s lead back in 2018, Hill should explode as the Bulldogs’ best offensive weapon in 2019. In year two of Moorhead’s offense – with Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens expected to take over under center – the sky is the limit.