Devy 100: 30-26

Rob Willette Posted On September 3, 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.

30: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson Tiger (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: One of the more hyped recruits in college football history, Lawrence has delivered on the promise and then some. After winning a national title as a freshman, Lawrence led the Tigers back to the title game as a sophomore, posting a 36:8 TD:INT ratio and continuing to demonstrate incredible touch, poise, and accuracy. The most underrated part of Lawrence’s game is his running ability; he piled up 563 yards on the ground in 2019 and should be one of the more mobile quarterbacks in the NFL from day one.

If you can find a flaw, it is consistency, as Lawrence can vacillate between world-conquering and merely good. It is the tiniest of nits to pick, and is expected given how early on Lawrence still is in his development. Lawrence is a slam-dunk pick near the top of the 2021 NFL Draft and the consensus favorite to go first overall.

2020/2021 Outlook: ACC Football is on, and Clemson is again the team to beat and not much resistance is expected. Lawrence will have to contend without top receivers Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross, with the former in the NFL and the latter dealing with a career-threatening injury. It should not be too much of a hindrance, as Clemson has attracted elite recruits at the position. Lawrence is an early Heisman favorite.

29: Kenneth Gainwell, RB Memphis Tigers (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Darrell Henderson left big shoes to fill in the Memphis backfield. Gainwell snuck his toes into them and had little room left for growth. Few college backs are explosive as Gainwell, a man who eviscerates pursuit angles and runs with passion.

Perhaps the biggest feather in his cap is his receiving ability; he’s a natural as a pass catcher and is capable of big plays in the passing game, operating as much more than just a check-down option. Gainwell is a big-play machine with a robust receiving profile. Despite lacking the name-value panache, it would not be an upset if he went ahead of some big names at the position.

2020/2021 Outlook: Gainwell became one of the most recent players to opt out of the 2020 season. I’ll never fault a player for sitting out in the era of Covid-19. From a football standpoint, it is an interesting decision. It is possible Gainwell has received positive reports about his standing in the 2021 Draft. It is also possible a body of work that includes only a single season will cause him to slide out of the top 100 picks. Perhaps Gainwell is back at Memphis in 2021. There are a lot of unknowns, though I’d bet on Gainwell’s talent, even with the muddy profile.

28: Kayshon Boutte, WR LSU Tigers (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: A major get for LSU in this cycle, Boutte moves as though his body is unencumbered by bones and ligaments. He’s fluid off the line and there are only a few defenders who can match him stride for stride in the open field.

While we’ve yet to see Boutte become an aggressor at the catch point, he has the skillset which indicates he may never need this to be an elite player. Of course, if he adds a bit of vinegar to his game, he could be a monster in the SEC and follow in the footsteps of many other LSU receivers before him to become a star.

2020/2021 Outlook: The opt-out of Ja’Marr Chase creates a massive opportunity for the entire receiver room at LSU, with perhaps nobody better poised to step up than Boutte. We know Terrace Marshall will operate as the alpha in this offense; Boutte’s route running and pace are the perfect replacement for the savvy and smooth Chase. It could be a big freshman campaign.

27: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State Buckeyes (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap to dominance. Smith-Njigba could develop into one of the nation’s better receivers and yet be second or third on his own depth chart. Such is life at Ohio State, where their 2020 recruiting class at receiver has an opportunity to rival Bama’s Jerry Jeudy/Henry Ruggs/Devonta Smith class.

Smith-Njigba simply dominated the high school ranks and is a magnet for the football, routinely emerging out of nowhere to make a play on the football. A plus athlete, he toys with defenders both off the line and in the open field, demolishing cushions with his movement skills. Smith-Njigba is my type of receiver, one who flashes an innate understanding of the position and never looks as though he second-guesses himself. I expect him to develop into a star in Columbus.

2020/2021 Outlook: The Big Ten recently announced they play to start football either next month or not until 2026. They’ll be adding fans at limited capacity or banning them permanently. I have learned to ignore essentially every rumor regarding Big Ten football until something is official. When they do return – in whatever capacity – there is a decent chance some of the Buckeyes more established weapons have opted out. Smith-Njigba has the goods and could mix in with a deep group of receivers for early playing time.

26: Kylin Hill, RB Mississippi State Bulldogs (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Quietly one of the SEC’s better backs, Hill now has a chance to show out for his third head coach in four seasons. Hill’s game is predicated on desire and versatility. While not a high-end athlete, Hill is a back who navigates his way to every available yard with patience and sheer determination. Few backs provide the effort Hill does from play to play.

His frame and strength allow him to work between the tackles, while his receiving ability allows him to operate in space effectively. I am not sure if Hill has superstar upside, but he is the type of back who can contribute to a backfield for a long time.

2020/2021 Outlook: From a football standpoint, I’d almost always prefer a back enters the draft as soon as he has the option. Hill may be a rare exception. Mike Leach’s arrival should allow Hill to thrive, specifically in the passing game. It could be a monster year as Hill becomes the focal point of a new system.