Devy 100: 15-11

Rob Willette Posted On October 13, 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.

15. Tylan Wallace, WR Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Skinny: One of college football’s most dynamic playmakers, Wallace has continued Oklahoma State’s tradition of producing elite talent at wide receiver. He is electric off the line of scrimmage, embarrassing defenders with his foot speed and creating separation effortlessly. Despite possessing elite athleticism, his best trait is his aggressiveness. He is an elite competitor who believes every football is his property.

Like many Oklahoma State receivers before him, his route tree is limited at this point, but you bank on the skills and let him do what he does best. The rest will come in time.

2019 Outlook: Spencer Sanders has been a pleasant surprise under center. It is no surprise Wallace has taken the ascension of Sanders and used it to dominate college football. He lacks the name brand value of many of his peers, but is poised to surprise when he gets drafted ahead of many of them.

14. Eno Benjamin, RB Arizona State Sun Devils

The Skinny: A true workhorse for the Sun Devils, Benjamin has thrived as the focal point of Arizona State’s offense. A uniquely competitive runner who bounces off tacklers like they’re covered in bubble wrap, he looks at home performing inside the tackles, yet has the juice to explode to the perimeter and create chunk plays.

He is a powerful runner with soft hands, yet may have his draft stock ultimately limited by long speed, hardly a deterrent for a back with plenty else in the toolkit. He may profile as a Devin Singletary-type prospect.

2019 Outlook: Jayden Daniels has taken over under center, yet this is still Benjamin’s offense. He has surged past 20 carries in four of five games, yet has had limited production due to a heavy focus on shutting him down. Given what we have seen from him over a large sample, a less efficient junior campaign is not a major concern.

13. Cam Akers, RB Florida State Seminoles

The Skinny: Ignore Akers’ limited production at Florida State. He’s been a sturdy anchor for a sinking ship, dealing with anemic offensive line play and a cycle of quarterbacks who have flashed yet failed to provide consistent production.

This is not to completely absolve Akers. A high school quarterback, he can still often be more athlete than running back. He weaves in traffic like George Costanza playing Frogger and has the strength to send defenders into the multiverse with his stiff arm.

Physically, Akers has few peers. Unfortunately, we’ve yet to see him within an offense which allows him to really thrive. A gifted receiver, he has nonetheless propelled himself into the ranks of the elite thanks to what he’s been able to achieve in less than ideal circumstances.

2019 Outlook: Florida State has made strides on offense, and it has allowed its premier playmakers like Akers and Tamorrion Terry to shine. A strong start has the former looking poised to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft, and he should crush the Combine on his way to a very strong draft pedigree. Buy now if anyone deems him as a second-tier talent for 2020.

12. Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama Crimson Tide

The Skinny: Speed. It is always vogue in the NFL and it is the trait Ruggs shows in spades. It’s not just track speed; it is to-hell-with-your-pursuit-angles-and-enjoy-watching-the-number-11-run-away-from-you speed.

Few college football players are the athlete Ruggs is, and he’s put in work to ensure he’s more than just a speed merchant. He is as tough in the intermediate passing game as he is explosive in the vertical game. He’s tailor-made for today’s NFL, and will make any offensive coordinator giddy with excitement over how to scheme him into space.

2019 Outlook: The Tide – as they are everywhere – are loaded at receiver. It is why no individual receiver stands out on a weekly basis. But there’s plenty of juice to go around with Tua Tagovailoa passing the rock. Ruggs has been a touchdown-machine through two seasons in Tuscaloosa and figures to cap his career with panache in 2019.

11. Jalen Reagor, WR TCU Horned Frogs

The Skinny: TCU as a program is rather understated, and it has led to Reagor being far too unheralded. The junior from Waxahachie High School has been a revelation through two seasons at TCU, effortlessly shedding corners at the line of scrimmage and utilizing his unique explosive abilities to rack up big play after big play. His ability to win at the line and gracefully dance through defenders in the open field makes him the ideal weapon for today’s NFL. He has a few warts in his game, but his plus traits are so good he figures to mix into the Day 1 picture come 2020.

2019 Outlook: TCU has had some serious offensive issues, and they’ve turned to true freshman Max Duggan under center. Duggan is a great prospect but a limited passing offense thus far has not done Reagor many favors in the early going. His junior season is unlikely to match his sophomore campaign from a statistical standpoint, but his playmaking abilities still shine, and he has added value as a return man.