Devy 100: 65-61

Rob Willette Posted On June 29, 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 tenth 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.

65. Ty Chandler, RB Tennessee Volunteers

The Skinny: An open-field dynamo in high school, Ty Chandler’s game has evolved since arriving in Knoxville. While Tennessee has not been known for its player development in post-Phil Fulmer Eras, the tide may be changing with Jeremy Pruitt.

After operating out of many Smashmouth Spread sets in 2017, the new coaching staff expanded Chandler’s role in 2018 and were rewarded with a strong campaign in which Chandler demonstrated plus ability as a receiver in tandem with more explosive plays out of the backfield. Chandler’s aggression is both a positive and a negative; decisiveness allows him to play in the sandbox at the second level, yet he can also run into trouble without setting up his blocks. Chandler’s instincts are a work in progress, but the foundation is there to be an NFL back.

2019 Outlook: Tim Jordan and Jeremy Banks also return in the Tennessee backfield, but neither is in the same league as Chandler from a raw talent perspective. Eric Gray is an early enrollee who could push for early touches, but he is still a freshman trying to claw his way up the depth chart.

Chandler has all the opportunity in the world to establish himself as a player in the much ballyhooed 2020 running back class. Another season of flashes without consistent production, and Chandler could become an afterthought given how deep the crop of runners currently is at the collegiate level.

64. Jashaun Corbin, RB Texas A&M Aggies

The Skinny: It was a successful first voyage for Jashaun Corbin, despite playing apprentice to the uber-productive Trayveon Williams. His sinewy frame allows him to effortlessly gesticulate on the football field and he utilizes Apple-esque ingenuity on the football field to create yards.

Much like a basketball player who learned his wares on the playground, Corbin’s natural feel for playmaking is special, yet his running style could use more fine-tuning. He’d also benefit from adding good weight to his frame, specifically in his lower half.

2019 Outlook: Williams is gone, leaving a 2,038 total yard and 19-touchdown void in the Aggie backfield. Jimbo Fisher offenses have generally produced quality backs, from Devonta Freeman to Dalvin Cook. Corbin looks to be next in line, and while he lacks the prototype build of many backs to come through Fisher’s system, his raw talent may match all save Cook.

63. Ricky Slade, RB Penn State Nittany Lions

The Skinny: Replacing Saquon Barkley was a Herculean task which Miles Sanders handled with grace and aplomb. Replacing Sanders is a bit less daunting, yet still no easy feat. Ricky Slade has the honor of being a successor to a first and second-round draft pick, and has the tools to at least make folks temporarily forget the previous greatness which has graced the Nittany Lion backfield.

At less than 190 pounds, Slade is no power back and struggles to generate extra yardage upon contact. He makes up for it with insane quicks; few backs can stop and start with the precision Slade does, and he has the long speed to turn any run into a scoring play.

The biggest factor in his development may be Penn State’s vaunted strength program. If they can help Slade evolve as a physical specimen while maintaining his elite burst, Slade could join his predecessors as high draft picks.

2019 Outlook: Penn State put an emphasis on the running back position this recruiting cycle, adding highly regarded backs in Noah Cain and Devyn Ford. Both are excellent complements to Slade, as they’re well-proportioned, physical runners who would allow Slade to operate more in space.

However, with a year in the program and a productive freshman season behind him, Slade should lead this backfield in touches. A key for Slade will be expanding his role in the passing game, as he caught a measly one pass in 2018.

62. Justin Fields, QB Ohio State Buckeyes

The Skinny: For all the fanfare surrounding Justin Fields’ arrival in Athens, there is little to show for it. Fields was used merely as a change-of-pace option within the Georgia offense, with the Bulldogs often telegraphing their intentions when Fields took to the gridiron. It seemed an odd fit from both sides, and one of the greatest quarterback recruits in history has moved on to Columbus and been granted immediate eligibility.

From a tools perspective, few can match Fields. He’s a premier athlete, yet a passer first, operating within the pocket and showing a soft touch and elite arm strength. Despite an uneven Spring Game, Fields should soon become one of college football’s brightest stars, and the Ohio State offense is a strong match for his skills.

2019 Outlook: While there was coachspeak indicating a quarterback battle was in play, the Buckeyes did not lure Fields in from the Transfer Portal to do anything but be their quarterback for the next two years.

The transfers of both Matthew Baldwin and Tate Martell bear it out, and it is now Fields’ turn to star at Ohio State. With a stable offense and weapons galore, it would not be an upset to see Fields garnering Heisman hype throughout the year.

61. Jermar Jefferson, RB Oregon State Beavers

The Skinny: It was another lost season for Oregon State, but don’t tell that to Jermar Jefferson. During the Beavers’ 2-10 campaign, Jefferson took over for an injured Artavis Pierce early in the campaign and never relinquished the role, piling up 1,380 yards rushing and going from obscure recruit to a mainstay in early devy drafts.

Jefferson wins with decisiveness and burst; he is quick to the second level and seldom wastes time looking for the big play. At this stage of his development, he lacks standout traits, but the foundation is there to mature into a top prospect with productive gains in explosion as he just recently turned 19 years old.

2019 Outlook: Artavis Pierce returns to steal work, but this should be Jefferson’s backfield. He was often the Beavers only means of moving the football in 2018 and is a key to Jonathan Smith’s team showing improvement in his second year on the job. A rising star in the Pac-12, Jefferson could become one of the league’s top runners with Myles Gaskin and Bryce Love moving on.