Devy 100: 80-76

Keaontay Ingram

Rob Willette Posted On April 27, 2021

Spring is a popular time to embrace #StartupSZN. For devy owners, it is an opportunity to pore through data on incoming recruits and reflect on the previous season which was. Of course, 2020 came with unpredictable and challenging circumstances overall, and we saw this manifest itself on the gridiron.

College athletes were particularly challenged, as delayed or truncated seasons along with contact limitations led to a season not seen in our lifetimes. As such, I am giving it a bit of leeway to true freshmen who failed to make a significant impact. More than any year I can recall, your view of the individual’s talent level plays a bigger role than what we may have seen during a brief 2020 season. These are not excuses to butcher the rankings (unless you buy it as a reasonable excuse) but more an illustration of the unique outlook this past year was approached with.

As always, your mileage may vary. Beyond the very elite, devy rankings are going to be incredibly fluid and unique and the differences should be embraced. Hate mail can be delivered on Twitter, to @FF_TravisM.

80: Keaontay Ingram, RB USC Trojans (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: After a strong opening two seasons in Austin, Ingram’s 2020 campaign got messy in a hurry. He battled several lower-body injuries and struggled to find a rhythm when on the field, often finding himself in Tom Herman’s doghouse.

When Ingram is rolling, he is a true versatile threat who thrives in the passing game and bounces off defenders who fail to bring their best effort. We have yet to see the talent manifest itself over the course of a full season, but Ingram’s physical tools are undeniable. A fresh start in Los Angeles could be the impetus to a day two selection for Ingram in 2022.

2021 Outlook: Ingram joins a talented if enigmatic depth chart at USC. Between Stephen Carr, Kenan Christon, and Vavae Malepeai the Trojans have a host of backs who have shown flashes yet have failed to take control of this backfield. Ingram’s talent makes him the favorite to earn the majority of the backfield work, but he’ll have to work each week to maintain his spot on the depth chart. USC’s spread attack should create massive opportunity for any back who leads this committee.

79: Jalin Hyatt, WR Tennessee Volunteers (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: It is tough to evaluate many players within the Tennessee program given the relative mess the program has become. Yet as you’d expect from a SEC program, they’re still producing talent despite shortcomings in the coaching department.

Jalin Hyatt arrived in Knoxville as one of the 2020 recruiting class’ top vertical weapons, and showcased his game-changing speed from day one. He was able to produce despite ongoing offensive issues, operating out of the slot as he dusted defenders off the line of scrimmage with elite athletic tools.

Hyatt is a bit of a one-note player at this point, and he needs time to develop physically given his light frame. Yet his one tool is highly coveted, and any stability on offense should allow Hyatt to thrive.

2021 Outlook: New head coach Josh Heupel inherits a mess and will need to get really creative to turn this offense into even a mediocre unit. He’d be wise to lean on relatively established players like Hyatt, though a new coaching staff often means a clean slate for the entire roster. If Heupel can bring the offensive success he had a Central Florida to Knoxville, Hyatt’s profile could soar in 2021.

78: Frank Ladson, WR Clemson Tigers (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: A large human being and big-time recruit, expectations were enormous for Ladson as he joined a program which had developed other jumbo receivers such as Mike Williams and Justyn Ross. Yet Ladson’s career has not gone to script, as he has hauled in only 27 passes over two seasons and has been a bit player within the offense.

His positives are obvious; he is big, fast in a straight line, and competitive when the ball is in the air. This has allowed him to flash as a downfield weapon, yet those are the only traits we’ve seen consistently. If Ladson matures physically and works his way into an opportunity in the underneath game as well as the vertical one, he could finally deliver on the massive promise owners were salivating over in 2019.

2021 Outlook: Opportunity at Clemson is seldom a given. With Justyn Ross back, Joe Ngata healthier, and EJ Williams coming off an impressive freshman campaign, Ladson could be the fourth option in this passing game. It will be a great sign if he works his way to the top of this hierarchy, but it is also entirely possible he is phased out and the bloom is completely off his rose.

77: Caleb Williams, QB Oklahoma Sooners (2024 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Williams is not for the faint of heart. Creating “off-script” is a popular term these days but for good reason. Ideally, your quarterback is able to move the chains when the play does not go as planned. Williams is elite in this area, combining high-level athleticism with the ability to throw on the move. He can press the defense vertically with a massive arm, and he displays incredible toughness both in the pocket and on the move. He will drive traditionalists mad with his inconsistent mechanics and willingness to give his receivers a chance to make a play despite tight coverage.

He’ll widely be dubbed the quintessential boom or bust prospect, though the physical traits and intangibles (from what a layman can glean) are elite. Oklahoma is a great spot to mature, and he will not be leaned on early, especially crucial given his senior year was wiped away due to the pandemic.

2021 Outlook: Spencer Rattler returned as one of the nation’s better quarterbacks. Any major contributions from Williams in 2021 means Rattler has gone down and the Sooners national title hopes rest on the shoulders of a true freshman. Realistically, Williams looks poised to enter games in mop-up duty as he gains experience for a run at the starting gig in 2022.

76: MarShawn Lloyd, RB South Carolina Gamecocks (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Fall hype that had built around Lloyd was quickly eliminated, as an August ACL tear wiped away what promised to be a breakout freshman season. The good news is the timing of the injury should allow Lloyd to be back at full strength come fall camp of 2021, and his game is predicated on decisiveness and power in lieu of aesthetically appealing cuts.

This is not to say Lloyd is a poor athlete; he moves gracefully within the tackles and is a load to bring down once he hits the open field. He’s just more technician than east-west maven, and he works at his best downhill. Lloyd is a well-rounded back who has shown to be a capable receiver in a small sample size. He is a good bet to make his mark in the SEC before long.

2021 Outlook: Lloyd’s absence allowed Kevin Harris to become a star. Harris would have been involved regardless, though the absence allowed him to become a true workhorse. Lloyd should make this a committee, though he will be working the light side given Harris’ tools and pedigree.