Devy Roundup: Week Eight
Alabama and LSU used to notoriously boast two of the best defenses in the country. While Alabama’s is still very good, the script has flipped. The SEC rivals now have two of the best offenses in the country this year. What a matchup that figures to be when they play each other in three weeks. Until then, we can debate who the top teams in the country are.
With Georgia’s surprising loss to South Carolina, LSU not only jumped them but Clemson as well to reach the second spot behind Alabama. Clemson, Ohio State, and Oklahoma round out the top five and all are very much in play for the playoffs. What an exciting next few months of college football we have in store.
MY RANKINGS
This week I preview the top of my tight end rankings. You can find my full set of devy rankings here.
The tight end group is always one of the hardest for me to gauge. Very few of them see featured roles in college and those who do are not always the best NFL prospects. My top three tight ends are the ones I feel most comfortable projecting to the next level. However, I do not see much consensus among the dynasty community on who the top prospect is.
Brevin Jordan, my favorite, is only a sophomore but has been quick to develop. After a productive first year, he has already eclipsed his yardage total this year in three fewer games. To go along with his early production, he is also a very good athlete and figures to test well at the NFL combine in two years.
Hunter Bryant and Albert Okwuegbunam could both be a part of the hyped 2020 class if they declare. Bryant is another athletic player who is a consistent mismatch for defenders. Okwuegbunam is one of the biggest tight ends in the country and has been one of the most productive in college football over the past three years.
The second tier consists of four guys with great size who all have a chance to sneak into the top tier by next April. The fifth player in this tier, Calcaterra, had a big year last year but hasn’t been used nearly as much as I thought he was going to be this year. I am concerned about how his small frame will transition to the NFL level. His size is holding him back from the top tier in my rankings.
The third tier consists of a lot of younger players with tremendous upside but more to prove. Some of them will likely join Brevin Jordan in tier one in a year or two.
Top performers
Below are some of the top performers of the week. Of course, I could not list everyone who played well, but here are a few who stood out. You can find the full set of statistics from the week here.
CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma (10 rec, 171 yards, 3 TDs)
After Lamb’s strong game on Saturday, a lot of people on Twitter were proclaiming him as their top wide receiver prospect in the 2020 class. He is right up there for me as well, in my top three behind Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs with not much separation at the top.
Jalen Hurts, QB Oklahoma (235 yards passing, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 131 yards rushing, 1 TD)
During another stellar performance in the Sooners’ win over rival Texas, Hurts had a signature moment where he wrapped the football around his back while the defender tried to tackle him and grab the ball from behind. After doing so, he even completed the pass. They will likely be playing that clip over and over again if Oklahoma keeps winning.
Sage Surratt, WR Wake Forest (12 rec, 196 yards, 3 TDs)
Surratt has great size and his game is silky smooth. He has been one of the most productive receivers in the country and one of the biggest risers on my board this year.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR Arizona State (7 rec, 196 yards, 3 TDs)
Not as popular of a devy name, Aiyuk exploded for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday. Like Surratt, he has been one of the most productive wide receivers to start the year.
David Bell, WR Purdue (9 rec, 138 yards, 2 TDs)
Bell and teammate Brycen Hopkins have stepped up big while Rondale Moore has been out. The former has caught at least eight passes for over 100 yards in two of his last three games, as a true freshman.
Breece Hall, RB Iowa State (132 yards rushing, 3 TDs, 1 rec, 5 yards)
Another true freshman, Hall had his best game as a Cyclone, carrying the team to a victory over West Virginia. He is one of my favorite running backs from the 2022 class.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU (7 rec, 127 yards, 2 TDs)
We are all hyped about the 2020 class but the 2021 wide receiver group is looking very nice as well. Ja’Marr Chase, Rondale Moore, Justyn Ross, Jaylen Waddle, and Seth Williams lead the group right now with many others in the mix as well. The devy wide receiver group is in good hands over the next few years.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB LSU (134 yards rushing, 2 TDs)
I will admit I thought true freshman John Emery would have seized the LSU starting running back role by now but Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been impressive. Edwards-Helaire has been solid on the ground while quarterback Joe Burrow has been spectacular in the air.
MARQUEE MATCHUPS
Below are some of the games I will be sure to tune into for this upcoming week’s slate. You can check out the full week eight schedule here.
#12 Oregon @ #25 Washington – 10/19 @ 3:30 PM EST on ABC
Both teams have had a few letdowns this year but this is still a matchup of two of the top teams in the PAC-12 conference. Washington has one of the better defenses in the country so I am eager to see how Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert plays against them. Much like the past few years, Herbert has had some up and down moments this year. A good showing against Washington could end up being a good stepping stone.
#17 Arizona State @ #13 Utah – 10/19 @ 6 PM EST on PAC12
In another PAC-12 matchup, this one features two teams tied atop the PAC-12 South. Eno Benjamin is the top devy prospect to watch in this one. After a slow start to the season, he has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of his last two games.
#16 Michigan @ #7 Penn State – 10/19 @ 7:30 PM EST on ABC
Penn State is the favorite, but anything can happen in this Big Ten matchup. Wide receiver KJ Hamler has played well to start the year but I will be paying close attention to the freshmen running backs, Zach Charbonnet for Michigan and Devyn Ford and Noah Cain for Penn State. Cain and Charbonnet lead their teams in rushing while the pair of Penn State running backs seem to already have passed sophomore Ricky Slade on the depth chart.
- Devy Roundup: Week 14 - November 26, 2019
- Devy Roundup: Week 13 - November 20, 2019
- Devy Roundup: Week 12 - November 12, 2019
