Devy 100: 45-41

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.

45: Pat Freiermuth, TE Penn State Nittany Lions (2021 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The prototype for the modern tight end, Freiermuth is a behemoth of a man whose movement skills speak to a man a fraction of his size. While not the type of athlete former Nittany Lion Mike Gesicki is, Freiermuth should still test well above-average at the position and have height-adjusted speed on his side.

Despite his size, Freiermuth is not a bully at the catch point and could use good bulk, though another year in the legendary Penn State Strength program should aid him in becoming a high pick.

2020/2021 Outlook: What is the future of college football in the Big Ten? Your guess is as good as mine. Whenever they take the field – assuming Friermuth is a part of it – he will return as one of the nation’s best Tight Ends and one of the Nittany Lions most established weapons. There is little standing between him and elite draft capital.

44: Kedon Slovis, QB USC Trojans (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: USC may be down, but don’t tell Kedon Slovis. Slovis took over for an injured JT Daniels early in the year and never looked back, displaying incredible poise for a true freshman. A magician in the pocket, Slovis plays loose and lets it receivers make plays, a sagacious decision when you have the weapons he does.

While not supremely gifted physically, Slovis has the tools to get the job done and displays more than enough mental acuity to become a superstar. Even in the midst of program turmoil, he’s an ascending player with superstar potential.

2020/2021 Outlook: Pac 12 football is on pause, denying us the privilege to see another year of growth from Slovis. He is a locked-in starter for the Trojans when they return, and the offensive system will allow for another year of big numbers. Even though the Trojans have a pair of talented QBs in the 2021 class (Jake Garcia/Miller Moss) this is Slovis’ team until he declares.

43: Sam Howell, QB North Carolina Tar Heels (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The face of the new North Carolina regime,Howell wasted little time cementing himself as one of college football’s most promising talents. The burly Howell showcased the ability to drive the football to all areas of the field, all while showing the indefinable “moxie’, a term I’ll lazily use here to illustrate Howell’s ability to make plays when everything falls apart around him and get the best out of his teammates.

At 6’1”, Howell is a bit shorter than what would be considered ideal, but we should be long past the days where a quarterback’s height gives us any serious pause. Howell is an elite talent and arguably the favorite to go number one overall in 2022.

2020/2021 Outlook: As of now, ACC football is on, offering Howell the opportunity to establish himself as the top QB in 2022. Surrounded by elite skill position talent and an offense that lets him operate freely, another massive season is in store.

42: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: One of the more electric runners in this cycle, Gibbs is a pure joy to watch as a runner. He can start and stop effortlessly and despite being under 200 pounds, runs with aggression and determination. He’s simply a natural runner, working with patience as well as pace.

There will be questions to answer with regards to his size and ability as a receiver, but the base is there for Gibbs to be a truly special player.

2020/2021 Outlook: A high-end recruit could have chosen a much bigger football school than Georgia Tech. His decision, however, is astute, as he has an opportunity to earn immediate playing time for the Yellow Jackets as opposed to playing apprentice at a blue blood. This should be his backfield before long.

41: Drake London, WR USC Trojans (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: A standout athlete in multiple sports at the high school level, London was considered a bit of a project entering the collegiate ranks. Instead, he carved out a role in a high-octane passing game despite a crowded depth chart, and has gone from afterthought in devy circles to highly-coveted asset. London is a tall, sinewy receiver who utilizes his basketball skills to make plays in traffic and rumble with defenders in space. His long strides are deceiving, as he chews up space without looking as though he is moving at all.

London’s multi-sport skills (he is on USC’s basketball roster, though only appeared in two games) are a promising sign, as he is merely scratching the surface of his football potential. His future at this point appears to be on the gridiron, and it is bright.

2020/2021 Outlook: Like Slovis, London’s Sophomore season is in flux. The Trojans are well-stocked at wide receiver, even following the departure of Michael Pittman. Veteran Tyler Vaughns is extremely underrated and Junior Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the nation’s better talents. Despite the depth chart, London is going to be a factor, especially given how many receivers USC’s offense likes to utilize.

rob willette