Devy Roundup: Week Six

Rob Willette

Few things give me as much simple joy as sitting down for a college football Saturday. While this year has been odd, to say the least, teams are slowly but surely returning to the gridiron. Stars are emerging out of nowhere and we’re tracking to have another elite crop of rookies in 2021. Let’s just enjoy the ride and embrace whatever may come. Below are some standouts from this past week.

Top Devy Performers

Feleipe Franks, QB Arkansas Razorbacks

A forgotten man after a pedestrian run at Florida, Feleipe Franks has looked rejuvenated in leading a much-improved Arkansas team. After guiding the Hogs to their first SEC win since the Titanic was in theaters, Franks was even better as Arkansas nearly made it consecutive wins in an upset bid against Auburn.

Franks threw for 318 yards and tossed four touchdowns against a talented if enigmatic Auburn defense. It was a breakout performance for the toolsy if inconsistent quarterback who would vacillate between brilliance and complete ineptitude at Florida. Franks has the size and arm, and has adequate mobility to navigate the pocket. I am certainly not buying into him as a high-level prospect based on his strong start in Fayetteville but I do believe he is a draftable prospect at this point.

Phil Jurkovec, QB Boston College Eagles

From 2017-2019, Boston College’s offense was simply handing the football to AJ Dillon and hoping for the best. The arrival of Jeff Hafley has not only innovated the Eagles offense; it has made it downright entertaining. Former Notre Dame quarterback Jurkovec has flashed the type of arm talent which had so many excited about his prospects coming out of high school.

Saturday was one of Jurkovec’s finest performances, racking up 358 yards and three scores against Pitt. The completion percentage (54.3%) is ghastly but forgivable with a robust 10.2 yards per attempt accompanying it. He has shown an affinity for pushing the ball down the field and getting it into the hands of his best playmaker in Zay Flowers. Jurkovec still needs ample time to develop given his lack of game experience, but he adds another intriguing prospect to the 2022 mix.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The community was high on Gibbs out of high school, generally considering him a top-five back in the current freshman class. Even such a lofty pedestal was too low, as he’s been every bit as good as advertised and more.

Gibbs showcased his versatility Saturday, catching two passes for 60 yards and a score, with the touchdown being a deep route and not merely a dump-off in which he found space. Gibbs complemented the receiving line with 13 carries for 61 yards and a score, and all of a sudden the Georgia Tech offense is must see television. It is early but it is safe to believe he is trending to be a high pick in 2023 rookie drafts.

TJ Pledger, RB Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma backfield was a mystery following the decision by Kennedy Brooks to opt-out of the 2020 campaign. It took several weeks, but it appears Pledger has taken this job following his performance in the Red River shootout. Pledger toted the rock 22 times in a four-overtime thriller, pacing the Sooners in rushing and demonstrating soft hands on his two receptions.

Perhaps best known for being the backup to Trey Sanders at IMG, Pledger is nonetheless a talented back in his own right. He’s real appeal comes in his value as a pass-catcher; despite limited work thus far in Norman, Pledger has the tools to be a dynamic threat out of the backfield as a receiver. I don’t think Pledger screams feature back at the next level but he can give any backfield a boost.

Zay Flowers, WR Boston College Eagles

Mentioned in the Jurkovec blurb, Flowers has quickly become one of college football’s most dynamic playmakers. A 6-162-3 line against Pitt showcased all Flowers has to offer. He beat defenders vertically. He shook defenders after the catch. He’s everything you’d want from a breakout star.

Flowers posted a credible freshman season despite Boston College’s prehistoric offense under Steve Addazio. He’s taken the next step in his sophomore season. The only thing holding him back is his lack of preseason hype; he will be a household name before long.

Terrace Marshall, WR LSU Tigers

LSU is not nearly the juggernaut it was during last season’s dominant title run, but it still has elite playmakers all over the offense. The absence of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase in 2020 has allowed Marshall to ascend to the top of the depth chart. No Joe Burrow has been no issue for Marshall – statistically – and he dropped an 11-235-3 line on Missouri in a losing effort.

We always knew Marshall could play. We just didn’t know his ceiling given he was the third option in the passing game. We’ve now seen the ceiling, and suffice to say, it is high.

Nick Muse, TE South Carolina Gamecocks

A transfer from William & Mary, Muse was about as close to the devy radar as I was heading into 2019. But despite suffering an ACL injury in 2018, he contributed to the Gamecocks in 2019 and has emerged as a reliable target for South Carolina in 2020. After posting five catches for 85 yards against Vanderbilt, Muse has nearly matched his 2019 production with 156 yards through three games. He lacks the athletic profile to get anyone excited, but any college tight end posting numbers deserves at least a mention on the Watch List.

Braden Galloway, TE Clemson Tigers

Unfortunately, Galloway may be best be known for being suspended prior to Clemson’s 2018 College Football Playoff appearance. Fortunately, his play this year is providing a rosier memory for college football fans. After a 4-74-2 outing against Miami, Galloway has shown he has developed into one of college football’s better tight ends.

While Clemson has long been a receiver factory, it has not had notable TEs. Galloway is changing the dynamic, and he belongs in the top ten of devy TE rankings.

Poor Devy Performances

Sam Ehlinger, QB Texas Longhorns

I hate to pick on Ehlinger again, as Dwight discussed him last week. But there’s just not enough arm talent here for Ehlinger to be what we had hoped. It took the Texas quarterback 53 attempts to get to 287 yards passing against Oklahoma; the progression as a passer has just not been there despite loads of experience.

Ehlinger is a fun player to watch and an effective college quarterback. He just lacks the next-level skills he is often hailed as having. He’s a UDFA who may end up being pushed way up the board due to name brand value.

KJ Costello, QB Mississippi State Bulldogs

Well, this was short-lived. After eviscerating the LSU defense in the opener, Costello and Mississippi State have posted back-to-back duds. Saturday’s performance against Kentucky has to be the nadir for offensive football under Mike Leach, as Costello tossed four picks as the Bulldogs put up two points (two!) against the Wildcats.

The hope Costello would be the next Joe Burrow was always foolish but was something you could talk yourself into had you consumed enough drinks. Instead, Costello has regressed badly and now looks more like a quarterback you bring into camp to see what you can work with as opposed to somebody who could crash the day two party. He has enough tools to thrive, but time is running out.

Marquee Week Five Matchups

#14 BYU at HOUSTON 10/16 @ 5:00 PM EST

This game quietly has fun written all over it. Zach Wilson has been excellent for BYU and he squares off against junior Clayton Tune, who had a strong opener against Tulane. The Cougars also feature stud receiver Marquez Stevenson and Texas transfer Kyle Porter at running back. It is a fun offense.

BYU could be the best Group of 5 team this year, but we’re here for the devy goodness. Zach Wilson is emerging as a prospect and the quarterback position is wide open after Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. Wilson’s quest to boost his draft stock continues this Friday.

#1 CLEMSON at GEORGIA TECH 10/17 @ 11:00 AM EST

Upset alert? Well, no. Every time we think a team in the ACC has the goods to take down Clemson, the Tigers go out and pick them apart. But Georgia Tech is on the way up, and they have a host of players worth watching.

Quarterback Jeff Sims has earned the job as a true freshman, showcasing exciting playmaking ability and an evolving passing game. The aforementioned Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the nation’s best backs as a freshman. I am high on sophomore receiver Ahmareon Brown, though he has had a very quiet start with only six grabs through four games.

Clemson is a must-watch simply due to Trevor Lawrence and Trevor Etienne. The two get better by the week and are racing towards 2021’s first round. Clemson has yet to have an alpha step at receiver as they have in years’ past, but Amari Rodgers is having a great senior season and could be a quality all-purpose threat at the next level. We’re still waiting for Frank Ladson or Joe Ngata to become the next great big receiver at Clemson, but the odds are in their favor.

#3 GEORGIA at #2 ALABAMA 10/17 @ 7:00 PM EST

Easily the marquee game on the slate, Georgia and Alabama features NFL players all over the field. Georgia has battled Alabama tough both on the field and on the recruiting trail. Georgia’s depth of talent can rival Alabama at any position, save one: quarterback.

Georgia looked to have finally resolved its quarterback room by securing transfers Jamie Newman and JT Daniels. But Newman opted out, and Daniels is still working his way back from a knee injury. With respect to Stetson Bennett – who has played admirably after replacing D’Wan Mathis – I have a difficult time seeing Georgia beat Alabama with him under center.

Georgia is going to rely heavily on its backs against Alabama. Zamir White is healthy and Kendall Milton has the look of a future workhorse. George Pickens has yet to really get traction with Bennett under center, but he remains an elite weapon with unreal upside. Kearis Jackson has been a real breakout player for Georgia and is a clear favorite of Bennett.

On the other side, Mac Jones has done his best to stave off super freshman Bryce Young. He’s been poised, accurate, and downright lethal. While Young has more long-term upside, Jones is a legitimate prospect in his own right. He is, of course, aided by his supporting cast. Najee Harris – who could be starting in the NFL right now – has gone into Beast Mode as both a runner and receiver. Harris has clearly improved over the course of his career and could threaten Travis Etienne to be the first back off the board.

At receiver, stars DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle have been joined by John Metchie to create another elite trio. Smith and Waddle could very well both have their names called in round one next April. Metchie is emerging as the heir apparent number one. Georgia won’t make it easy, but there are too many playmakers on Alabama to think Georgia takes down the Tide.

The Wrap-Up

I am just embracing the fact we have football at this point. It hasn’t been standard fare and I certainly miss the traditional gameday atmosphere. But there is still plenty to watch for this weekend on the college football circuit.

rob willette