Devy Roundup: Week Nine

Rob Willette

While there is nothing normal about this football season, we’ll approach something of a full slate with the return of Pac 12 football this weekend. Pac 12 after dark provides some of the best entertainment around; the odds are decent you’ll see a 33-year-old former science teacher toss five touchdowns off the bench for Oregon State. More importantly, we’ll see some devy stars return to the field instead of losing a full season of development.

This past weekend included a near upset of number one Clemson, a genuine upset of North Carolina, and another low moment for the defending champs. The highlights of the week are outlined below.

Top Devy Performances

DJ Uiagalelei, QB Clemson Tigers

We did not expect to see Uigalelei much this season. It was supposed to be a year of playing apprentice to Trevor Lawrence prior to making the team his own in 2021. The Covid-19 diagnosis for Lawrence changed all of those plans, and Uigalalei is now a prominent figure both in the devy world and in the College Football Playoff chase.

Boston College nearly pulled off the massive upset Saturday, though it was not due to the moment being too big for Uigalalei. The massive true freshman threw for 342 yards and a pair of scores and showed impressive power and burst on a 30-yard touchdown scamper. It was an impressive debut, and has sent Uigalelei’s already expensive stock soaring. The elite traits were all on display Saturday, and we’ll have an opportunity to see him on the big stage against Notre Dame this week.

Bo Nix, QB Auburn Tigers

It has not been a banner campaign for Nix. The Auburn sophomore was expected to take a step forward, especially with a ton of NFL talent around him at the skill positions. Instead, Nix has continued to be erratic as a passer and overmatched when the pressure is dialed up.

Saturday, however, was Nix at his best. He was poised, accurate, and showcased his dual-threat ability by piling up 81 yards and a score on the ground. He spread the ball around to his many playmakers and gave them an opportunity to make plays after the catch with ball placement. There’s no reason to hype up Nix too much after one game against a barely-there LSU defense, but Nix’s tools are omnipresent. Consistency is the next step.

Jerome Ford, RB Cincinnati Bearcats

The long-awaited breakout game for former Alabama running back Ford came against Memphis on Saturday, as he rumbled for 116 yards and a pair of scores on only nine carries. Ford was hailed as a potential Josh Jacobs replacement as a recruit, a back who could succeed between the tackles yet was also equipped to handle plenty of work in the passing game.

For whatever reason, things never materialized in Tuscaloosa for Ford but he has new life in Cincinnati. His lack of receiving game work to-date is a concern – especially as it was once considered a strength – but opportunity is key and Ford will have plenty of it within a strong Cincinnati program.

CJ Marable, RB Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

Coastal Carolina has been a great story this year, though it is not a major surprise for people who have been paying attention to this program. The Chanticleers have legit NFL talent. From a devy standpoint, none stand out more than Marable. Marable may never be a bellcow at the next level but he is a gifted runner with soft hands in the passing game.

His versatility was on display Saturday, as he ran ten times for 71 yards and a score while adding three grabs for 29 yards and another score. Marable has produced for four seasons now (one of which came at Presbyterian) and offers plus skills as a receiver. He should be able to carve out a role in an NFL backfield.

Ricky White, WR Michigan State Spartans

I cannot say I was familiar with White prior to Saturday’s eight-grab, 196-yard explosion at Michigan. He introduced himself to the college football world in a big way, destroying the Michigan defense and helping the Spartans gain a signature upset early in Mel Tucker’s tenure.

White was a high three-star recruit the Spartans grabbed out of Georgia, and he is looking like a major recruiting win for Tucker early. We still have a very limited sample set from White, and this Michigan State offense is still in transition. However, one can dream he makes a similar ascent to another underrated Georgia high school WR in Rashod Bateman.

Elijah Moore, WR Ole Miss Runnin’ Rebels

14 receptions on 15 targets – in my opinion – is a strong effort. Moore simply embarrassed Vanderbilt on Saturday, piling up 238 yards and three scores without really even breaking a sweat. The community is slowly starting to come around on Moore but there still seems to be a touch of unwarranted reticence in discussing his devy stock. Moore is really good, and appears to be trending towards a day two selection in next April’s draft.

Poor Devy Performances

Zach Charbonnet, RB Michigan Wolverines

What in tarnation? After looking spry in the opener against Minnesota, Charbonnet got five carries against Michigan State and turned them into three yards. It is both puzzling in the usage and the stat line, as Charbonnet was a major get for Jim Harbaugh and a back who was expected to become one of the league’s best before long.

The story of Charbonnet’s career is far from a completed work, of course. It would not be the first time offensive talent has been squandered under Jim Harbaugh. But Charbonnet looks to be taking a backseat to Hassan Haskins in the backfield, and has yet to really string together signature performances. It is valid to be concerned as he moves through his sophomore season.

Tarik Black, WR Texas Longhorns

After a strong opener against UTEP, Black has disappeared from the Texas passing game. He looks to be a distant fourth on the depth chart and is just not earning the opportunity to rebuild his stock after an injury-marred tenure in Ann Arbor. Black will likely get a look in an NFL camp due to his raw tools but we’re likely past the point of believing he will be an asset.

Marquee Week TEN Matchups

#1 CLEMSON at #4 NOTRE DAME 11/07 @ 7:30 P.M. EST

This is the marquee game on the slate. Even though we’ll be robbed of Trevor Lawrence, we get the aforementioned freshman phenom in primetime. We also get the always entertaining Travis Etienne, one of the few runners with the ability to crash the first round party.

For Notre Dame, we have a breakout star in running back Kyren Williams, who is averaging a clean 100 rushing yards per game and is an asset in the passing game. The Irish have had late-career breakout receivers in the past two seasons in Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool and may have another one this season in Javon McKinley. While he lacks the physical skills of the previous two Golden Domers, McKinley was widely hailed as a technician out of high school and plays with a high level of savvy.

From a program perspective, this game is huge for the Irish. They’ve been beaten up when playing the nation’s elite under Brian Kelly, always looking like a good team who could never quite be great. At home against a backup quarterback – even one as talented as Uigalelei – is a prime opportunity to net a signature win. If they can’t do it in this spot, it may just never happen during the Kelly tenure.

#8 FLORIDA at #5 GEORGIA 11/07 @ 3:30 P.M. EST

It is a good thing this is the World’s Largest Cocktail Party, because you’re going to need to imbibe if you watch the Georgia offense. Despite schematic changes, Georgia is still falling behind the rest of the Blue Bloods due to issues under center. Stetson Bennett has been a capable signal-caller but you simply need to be better at the position if you’re going to compete for national titles. The opt-out of Jamie Newman and slow injury recovery for JT Daniels has made Georgia a rather one-dimensional team.

Fortunately, they have two gifted backs in Zamir White and Kendall Milton. Milton in particular has impressed, as the true freshman has been a tough, bruising runner with light feet and excellent instincts. White is finally healthy and has showcased his dynamic ability as a true runner. I don’t think White is as special as we had hoped, but he is a solid back who could enter the day two mix in 2021.

If you can get George Pickens at any sort of discount, do so. Nobody has suffered more from lethargic play under center than the dynamic downfield threat. Pickens is still an elite devy asset worth investing in. Kearis Jackson has also become a player in year two, and the Bulldogs have Demetris Robertson in what feels like his ninth season on a college campus.

Dan Mullen gets whackier by the week, and it is strangely entertaining. The Gators have become relevant again under Mullen, largely thanks to the progression of Kyle Trask. The first round talk is too rich for my blood but I could see Trask develop into a high-end backup or serviceable starter. The Gators have a cadre of backs, though none stand out in terms of production or traits. Both Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis should find their way onto NFL rosters. I don’t see a major fantasy impact, however.

Kadarius Toney has been one of the nation’s true breakout stars. Dynamic in space and showing immense growth as a receiver, Toney is a swiss-army knife type of weapon who could entice a team into investing a day two pick. Of course, Florida has Kyle Pitts, the dynamic and dominant athlete who should be your TE1.

THE WRAP-UP

We’re seeing the schedule heat up as the weather cools down, and nothing is better than hunkering down with some college football on a Saturday. This week features two premier matchups as well as an immensely gifted true freshman taking center stage for the week’s nightcap. Even in this bizarre season, there is plenty to look forward to.

rob willette