Devy 100: 75-71

Rob Willette Posted On June 9, 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.

75: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB LSU Tigers (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The LSU backfield was somewhat of a mystery entering 2019. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a productive back, but had yet to take his star turn. Many expected 5-Star freshman John Emery to make the backfield his own, yet it was CEH who dominated touches and fellow freshman Tyrion Davis-Price who proved the ideal complement out of the backfield.

Davis-Price is not one to waste time dancing in the backfield; he’s a no-nonsense back who darts north and south with surprising burst for a 225-pound runner. It is fair to question a part-time runner who ran in generally favorable scripts but it is also likely Davis-Price has more to offer in terms of creativity given the testing numbers he posted in high school.

2020 Outlook: The LSU backfield is wide open following the departure of Edwards-Helaire. While many expect John Emery to emerge as the starter here, it would be no surprise if Davis-Price leads this backfield in touches as LSU revamps its offense.

74: Tutu Atwell, WR Louisville Cardinals (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The son of Golden Gopher legend Tutu Atwell, the younger Tutu has carved out quite a reputation for himself. Atwell dazzled under Scott Satterfield, posting 1,276 yards and 12 touchdowns for a rejuvenated Louisville program. He is an electric playmaker whose speed and quicks are perfect for an offense which gives its playmakers space to operate. A free release is a nightmare proposition when facing Atwell, and he is a nightmare to corral in the open field.

Of course, at just over 150 pounds, size is going to be the major knock against Atwell. While not ideal, he has time to mature as he enters his true junior season, and speed and athleticism are traits you cannot learn. There is a lot of intrigue as he enters year three in the ACC.

2020 Outlook: Atwell is arguably the face of Scott Satterfield’s quick turnaround in Louisville. He’s a delight to watch, an insane producer, and has a fun name to boot. He will continue as one of Louisville’s elite weapons in 2020.

73: Bryce Young, QB Alabama Crimson Tide (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Long gone are the days when Nick Saban rolled in what clichéd football narratives would dub a “game manager”. The Crimson Tide have become one of college football’s most explosive offenses, and the arrival of Bryce Young ensures it will remain so. Whereas recruiting classmate and forever comparable DJ Uiagalelei is built like a linebacker, Young has a slight frame which helps him operate as a magician in the pocket.

Young throws a beautiful ball which even I could catch, and excels at dissecting teams in the intermediate game. He’s not going to press teams in the downfield attack just yet, but his pure passing acumen gives hope this tool is developed as he adds good weight to his lithe frame. Young is as exciting as any prospect in this class, and will be surrounded with elite playmakers in Tuscaloosa.

2020 Outlook: One of the more fascinating fall camp battles – presuming we have fall camp – will be Bryce Young versus Mac Jones. Mac Jones acquitted himself quite well as the Tide’s starter down the stretch in 2019 and is a talented player in his own right; you don’t catch the eye of Nick Saban without being gifted. Jones’ experience and strong small sample production give him the edge, though Young will be pressing him every step of the way.

72: Stevie Scott, RB Indiana Hoosiers (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: If you envision the prototypical, throwback Big Ten back (back when they had ten teams or close to it), Stevie Scott may jump into your imagination. The ascending junior has been the lead back for the Hoosiers during his first two years on campus and has quickly established himself as one of the B1G’s best runners. A bruising 230-plus pounds, Scott is tougher than most defenders and knows it. He’ll seldom be toppled by first contact and added a receiving aspect to his game in 2019, securing 26 passes for a surprisingly productive Indiana offense.

Scott has a few athletic limitations and is unlikely to be a back who creates a ton on his own, but he is a tough runner with adequate receiving skills, the type of runner we’ll curse in fantasy circles for stealing money touches from a runner perceived to be superior.

2020 Outlook: Scott is locked-in as a lead back for an offense which figures to be productive again in 2020. If he can continue his evolution as a receiver and perhaps add more explosiveness with another year of maturity, Scott could be an early entrant with the upside of a mid-to-late day two pick.

71: Justyn Ross, WR Clemson Tigers (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Oof. That is my articulate and scientific reaction to news Ross will be miss the 2020 season and perhaps beyond due to a previously undiagnosed medical condition. In general, I’d try to keep perspective with regards to an injury, balancing what they’ve already shown versus what losing a key year of development could impact. However, the ominous tone surrounding Ross’ future has me concerned this may be another Ahmmon Richards situation.

I certainly hope I am wrong, as Ross has shown the ability to be a physically imposing weapon on the perimeter, combining sticky hands and unique body control, all on display during his breakout party against Alabama in the 2018 National Championship Game. We just await medical updates.

2020 Outlook: There isn’t one. Dabo Swinney confirmed Ross will miss 2020 with his future beyond murky. Impact to Ross aside, the major ramifications will be increased opportunities for Clemson’s young receivers.