Devy 100: 55-51

Rob Willette Posted On August 5, 2020

The tagline here at DLF is telling: There is no off-season. The edict goes double for devy leagues. From the initial Signing Day in December through fall camps in August, there is an overwhelming amount of information to digest in order to make an informed decision. It is what makes it such a challenge yet so rewarding when a prospect you have invested in for years pays off.

The Devy 100 is intended to be a preliminary deep dive into the best dynasty assets college football has to offer. Even with a list this large, there will surely be omissions and plenty of movement throughout the year as players develop a more robust profile. This is not to hedge my bets (well – maybe a tad) but to illustrate the purpose of such a list. Alas, we get to the 100. Feel free to @RobWillette24 with your hate mail, which I will assuredly ignore.

55: Trey Sanders, RB Alabama Crimson Tide (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Dubbed the next big thing in Alabama’s backfield, Sanders’ career was halted before it could even start. A foot injury suffered shortly before the season began wiped away his freshman season, also eliminating his chance to back up his preseason claim of a 2019 Heisman win. A lost season is never a good thing for a prospect, though it is not a huge detriment to Sanders as he embarks on his Crimson Tide career.

A violent runner with a build you’d see on NFL backs, Sanders is ready to lead a backfield and has the versatile skill-set which will get the attention of the next level. He demonstrated unusual patience for a high school runner; he was not simply a superior athlete running past overmatched defenders. Sanders has a well-rounded skillset, though I don’t quite see it as being as special as the five-star recruiting ranking would have you believe.

2020 Outlook: A canceled 2020 season would be bad news for any prospect. It is especially tough for Sanders, who would then be missing two consecutive seasons during a crucial time in my development. Assuming we have college football this fall, Sanders should fight for touches behind established star Najee Harris. Sanders may be the most talented behind Harris, though he will have to battle the experienced Brian Robinson for a true backup role.

54: Nico Collins, WR Michigan Wolverines (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Though he never got the hype of Donovan Peoples-Jones or Tarik Black, it has been Collins who has emerged from the 2017 Michigan receiver recruiting class to become the best prospect. Despite Jim Harbaugh’s struggles in putting together an offense that understands the forward pass, Collins has cobbled together a productive career as a jumbo receiver who dominates at the catch point and knows how to utilize his body well.

While he is not going to win a track meet, Collins shows an affinity for getting deep and averaged nearly 20 yards per grab in 2019 despite inconsistent quarterback play. Collins is just a rock-solid player not getting his due, and looks like a prototypical number two receiver in the NFL.

2020 Outlook: Peoples-Jones and Black are gone, leaving a massive opportunity for Collins to dominate this passing game. The Wolverines have questions under center – as is standard – but this could be a big year for the Alabama native as he looks to cement his spot in the 2021 NFL Draft.

53: Javian Hawkins, RB Louisville Cardinals (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Louisville was a surprise team in 2019, with Hawkins proving to be one its surprise breakouts. Hawkins quickly pushed aside challenger Hassan Hall for the starting gig, exploding for over 1,500 yards rushing as a redshirt freshman. It was a tremendous campaign that brought Hawkins from obscurity to staple in off-season devy drafts.

Hawkins’ hallmark is his explosiveness; he can stop and start with ease and is a big play waiting to happen in the open field. As you’d expect from a back lucky to hit 190 pounds, power is not his game. His ability to grind out tough yards as well as expand his role in the passing game are the two hurdles he faces to becoming an elite prospect. But an uber-productive back with explosive athleticism deserves to be picked early and Hawkins checks both boxes easily.

2020 Outlook: Year two of the Scott Satterfield Era is one brimming with promise. Hawkins is a big reason why, and he returns as Louisville’s best offensive weapon. Another massive season is in store.

52: Jake Smith, WR Texas Longhorns (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: An unheralded player in the devy world, Smith is going long after some names without nearly the same upside. Smith has a dream skill-set; burst, long speed, and incredible hands. He has the tools to thrive inside or outside, and should explode in his sophomore season. This time next year he should be well established as one of the better receivers in the 2022 draft class.

2020 Outlook: It is expected Smith takes over the lucrative slot role Devin Duvernay made famous last year. He has the skills to move around the formation, but with Collin Johnson and Duvernay moving on, it could be Smith who paces the Longhorns in receiving.

51: Re’Mahn Davis, RB Temple Owls

Profile: An unheralded recruit, Davis quickly asserted himself as one of college football’s best freshman runners, forcing devy owners to take notice as he racked up nearly 1,000 yards rushing. Davis is not the type of player who jumps off the tape, yet his game slowly grows on you as you see him play more. He’s excellent at reading running lanes and understanding the subtle nuances of the position. He can navigate busy areas better than a seasoned Uber driver.

He’s the type of trustworthy talent coaches always salivate over; he does not waste motion and seldom goes down without a good battle. He’s sound in every facet of the game and showed an ability to be a capable if not explosive pass-catcher in 2019.

2020 Outlook: After wrestling away the starting job as a freshman, Davis returns as a true sophomore lead back for Temple. Temple is quietly one of the better Group of 5 programs and has produced ample NFL talent. Davis is next in line and has monster potential this fall.