Devy Roundup: Week Nine
Is there trouble in Tuscaloosa? Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had to have surgery for another high ankle sprain, very similar to the one he had on the other foot last year. In addition, a matchup against second-ranked LSU looms in three weeks. It remains to be seen whether Tua can return for that game. Even if he does, it will be Alabama’s biggest test of the regular season.
MY RANKINGS
Over the past few weeks, we have looked at my top-ranked players at each position in college football. This week, I want to highlight some of my favorite buys in devy leagues. I have found it very difficult to acquire devy players because owners seem to be attached to them, more so than NFL players, but if you can pull off some trades now it can help your rosters later on.
George Pickens, WR Georgia
Pickens was the fourth-ranked wide receiver in the 2022 wide receiver class but I had some reservations of him in the Georgia system. Notoriously a run-heavy team and one filled with many talented wide receivers, I was skeptical Pickens would see enough volume to stand out. Georgia still does not have much passing volume this year, but Pickens has still put up some decent stat lines and leads the team in receiving.
His tape looks even better. His has great size, some of the strongest hands I have seen in college football this year, and has already made numerous highlight-reel catches. Try to find an owner who only sees his 23-318-2 stat line at a high level and does not realize Pickens is a player waiting to break out with experience and volume.
Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama
The Alabama receiving core is currently very crowded, but Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, and Devonta Smith could all head to the NFL next year. He probably will not have Tua throwing him the ball anymore, but Waddle could become the top receiver. Increased targets and production could help him rise quickly up devy rankings.
Joe Ngata, WR Clemson
Like Waddle, Ngata is stuck in a crowded wide receiver group at Clemson but the departure of Tee Higgins to the NFL would open up a lot of targets in the offense. Fellow freshman Frank Ladson is there as well but Ngata is the one I prefer to target.
Jordan Whittington, RB Texas
Whittington was one of my favorite running backs in the incoming 2022 class but has had a quiet start to the season while dealing with a sports hernia. I am using this to buy as many shares of him as I can.
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.
Travis Etienne, RB Clemson (192 yards rushing, 1 TD, 4 rec, 35 yards)
After a slow start to the season, Etienne has gotten back on track with over 100 yards rushing in each of his last two games. He continues to be one of the most dangerous runners in college football because he is such a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
D’Andre Swift, RB Georgia (179 yards rushing, 2 TDs)
Swift took over the game on Saturday on a soggy field. Both offenses struggled to pass the ball but Swift demonstrated the speed, elusiveness, and versatility that makes him such a tantalizing prospect.
Pooka Williams, RB Kansas (190 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 4 rec, 25 yards)
Pooka had another strong game on Saturday as he rushed for nearly 200 yards. I continue to be skeptical of his small frame (reported 5’10’’ 170 pounds) but he has been very productive in his two years at Kansas.
Shane Buechele, QB SMU (457 yards passing, 6 TDs, 1 INT)
Buechele had a monster day on Saturday and continues to have a good year at SMU. He is not a popular devy name but he has had a solid collegiate career at SMU and Texas.
Reggie Roberson, WR SMU (8 rec, 250 yards, 3 TDs)
Roberson was the main beneficiary of Buechele’s big day and had the best game of his college career. Roberson and James Proche have been a fantastic wide receiver duo for the Mustangs.
David Bell, WR Purdue (13 rec, 197 yards, 1 TD)
Bell continues to have a fabulous freshman season. He and Rondale Moore are going to form an exciting duo once the latter returns from his knee injury.
Breece Hall, RB Iowa State (183 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 3 rec, 73 yards)
Hall has rushed for over 130 yards and two touchdowns in each of his last two games. While John Emery, Jerrion Ealy, Zach Charbonnet, and Trey Sanders received all the early hype, Hall is one of my favorite underrated running back prospects in the 2022 class.
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 nine schedule here.
#13 Wisconsin @ #3 Ohio State – 10/26 @ 12 PM EST on FOX
Two Heisman candidates, Justin Fields and Jonathan Taylor, square off in one of the top matchups of the week. It could have been even better if Wisconsin had taken care of Illinois last week.
#9 Auburn @ #2 LSU – 10/26 @ 3:30 PM EST on CBS
LSU has one one of the best offenses in the country, averaging 50.14 points per game. Will Bo Nix and the Tigers be able to keep up? None of LSU’s opponents have been able to so far. Quarterback Joe Burrow is another Heisman candidate who could solidify his resume with a couple wins against Auburn and Alabama these new two weeks.
Oklahoma State @ #23 Iowa State – 10/26 @ 3:30 PM EST on FS1
This is not a matchup of top-ranked teams, but one including two of my favorite running backs in college football. Chuba Hubbard still leads all collegiate rushers by nearly 300 yards while Breece Hall has been one of the most impressive freshman running backs so far this year. Do not forget about Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace either, one of the top wide receivers in the country.
- Devy Roundup: Week 14 - November 26, 2019
- Devy Roundup: Week 13 - November 20, 2019
- Devy Roundup: Week 12 - November 12, 2019
