Devy 100: 50-46

Rob Willette

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.

50: Zach Charbonnet, RB Michigan Wolverines (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: A big recruit walking into a wide open backfield, Charbonnet was expected to dominate in 2019. Results were mixed, though Charbonnet showed enough to maintain a lofty devy perch for one more year. At 220 plus pounds, he is already capable of bullying defenders and fighting for tough yards. Few backs are as physically developed as Charbonnet at such a young age, and he’s adept at using his body wisely to create yardage.

There’s concern he may never develop into more than a gifted power back, and his work in the receiving game thus far has been limited. Still, with early production and impressive physical gifts, there’s plenty for Charbonnet to build on; you just hope the Michigan offense does not negatively impact his development.

2020 Outlook: Charbonnet returns as the lead back, though Hassan Haskins is a solid runner in his own right and is going to siphon into Charbonnet’s touches. You’d like to see Charbonnet separate himself in this backfield, and it would be a key development if he is to retain his current value.

49: Wan’Dale Robinson, WR Nebraska Cornhuskers (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Dubbed an elite all-purpose weapon out of high school, Robinson did not disappoint in year one. He touched the ball 128 times (88 carries and 40 receptions) for 793 all-purpose yards, showcasing the grit you’d expect from a runner and the grace you’d expect from a receiver.

As you’d expect from a player who gets touches in a variety of ways, Robinson is a high-level athlete who can make defenders look like toddlers in the open field. While not a true receiver, he showcases the hands of one and will fight for the football if needed. Robinson is the ideal weapon for the modern game and will really explode on the national scene if Nebraska can take the steps they’d expected upon the hiring of Scott Frost.

2020 Outlook: Given Robinson’s role, competition is not a major concern. He’ll continue to operate all over the field and should build on his 128 touches from 2019.

48: Tyler Goodson, RB Iowa Hawkeyes (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The Hawkeyes are well-known for the tight end pipeline to the NFL, and they’ve put many linemen on both sides of the ball into the league as well. But a running back? It has been a minute since we’ve taken notice of an Iowa running back in the devy community. Shonn Greene is actually the last Hawkeye back drafted – way back in 2009 – though Tyler Goodson should end the streak come 2022.

Goodson shimmies away from defenders with the ease of a hummingbird evading a photographer, showcasing elite agility and plenty of speed when expanded green areas come into view. His biggest piece of value at this juncture is his abilities in the passing game; he is a natural receiver and getting him in the open field spells disaster for defenses. With a bit more size and strength, Goodson has a three-down toolkit. He is currently one of the more overlooked players in devy drafts.

2020 Outlook: Goodson was part of a three-headed backfield in 2019, sharing looks with Mekhi Sargent and Toren Young. All three return, and while Goodson is the most gifted and versatile of the bunch, we unfortunately may not get to see a true breakout season until 2021.

47: Terrace Marshall, WR LSU Tigers (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: While he has been overshadowed by Ja’Marr Chase in Baton Rouge, there is little doubt Marshall has the tools to develop into a top-tier prospect in his own right. Marshall did not make a huge freshman impact, though much of it can be attributed to his continued recovery from a serious high school injury as well as LSU’s yet to be realized offensive potential. Marshall stepped in 2019 in a big way, taking advantage of the passing bonanza to find the end zone 13 times on only 46 receptions.

Marshall demonstrated the tantalizing size/speed combination which made him a high-end recruit, using his 6’4” frame to become a nightmare cover in the red zone and his 4.53 speed to chew up yards after the catch and get vertical in a hurry. It was a big season for Marshall despite missing several contests, and it is fair to wonder if the best is still yet to come given injury setbacks.

2020 Outlook: Losing Joe Burrow is never going to be a good thing for a receiver, no matter how well Myles Brennan acquits himself. However, Justin Jefferson moving on opens up a boatload of targets. Chase will certainly get his – and LSU has a deep receiver room – but it is a golden opportunity for Marshall to push for day two draft stock if he can finish a full season.

46: Theo Wease, WR Oklahoma Sooners (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The Oklahoma passing game continues to develop elite talent, and Wease has a golden opportunity to establish himself as its next great prospect. Wease has elite size at 6’3” and 2020 and knows how to use his wingspan to overwhelm pesky cornerbacks.

While he can be a bit of a long strider and lacks explosion in short areas, he can scoot downfield in a hurry and is unstoppable in jump ball situations. Wease has already mastered the vertical game; if he can work on the intermediate skills he has a similar upside to former Sooner CeeDee Lamb.

2020 Outlook: Gone is Lamb, and on the mend is fellow mega-recruit Jadon Haselwood. Charleston Rambo is a quality receiver but there is a serious opportunity for Wease to become the preferred target of new signal-caller Spencer Rattler. The early season will tell us quite a bit about Wease and the target share he will command.

rob willette