Devy 100: 55-51

Theo Wease

Rob Willette Posted On June 2, 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.

55: Jacorey Brooks, WR Alabama Crimson Tide (2024 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The Crimson Tide lost the Heisman Winner and a top ten pick at wide receiver, and Nick Saban responds by securing yet another prized quartet of receivers who can step right in and star for Alabama. The order you place Agiye Hall, Jojo Earle, Jacorey Brooks, and Christian Leary is really dealer’s choice, as any of the four could emerge as the best, with simple past precedent indicating several will be stars.

Brooks is the highest-rated per the 247 Composite, and it is easy to see why given the upside his 6’2” frame possesses. Despite his long, sinewy build, he is effortless off the line and uses his size and physicality to put defenders on the heels off the snap. He’s an immovable force at the catch point who can gesticulate in any fashion required to secure the football. A big, athletic receiver with a reportedly insatiable work ethic, it is unfair Brooks is matched with Alabama’s coaching staff and strength program.

2021 Outlook: John Metchie is the only established starter returning to Alabama, leaving ample opportunity for any young receiver or Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams to step up. Recent history shows us two or more additional receivers should be relevant in this offense, presenting Brooks a chance to break out in year one.

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

Profile: A big recruit with ample opportunity in Norman, Wease has yet to really find his stride with the Sooners. The lofty ranking he still holds is much of a projection, yet he keeps luring you back with big-time plays and tantalizing upside.

Wease has a wingspan that runs approximately from sideline to sideline, allowing him to corral errant throws and have an innate advantage in contested situations. He’s a smooth if unspectacular athlete, doing his best work before the reception and showcasing his ability to be a high-end possession receiver. Wease’s development has been slower than hoped but the maturation could come swiftly as he heads into year three.

2021 Outlook: Marvin Mims was a revelation in 2020, and returns as the slight favorite to be the top target for Spencer Rattler. Jadon Haselwood hit campus with tons of hype but has had a bumpy start to his career, largely due to a knee injury last spring. Mims and Wease are the top two targets on paper, and it would not be a surprise if Wease surpassed Mims for a year and broke out prior to his draft season.

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

Profile: Iowa has such a strong tradition of line and tight end play, any gifted skill position players they have often get overlooked. Despite a modest recruiting pedigree, Goodson stepped right into the lineup for the Hawkeyes and asserted himself as one of the better runners in the league. He is great in the passing game; he is a natural receiver who goes from receiver to runner in a heartbeat.

Goodson is not going to burn you with breakaway speed, but he can spin like a politician changes directions effortlessly at the second level. An agile runner with receiving chops, his floor appears to be a solid third-down option.

2021 Outlook: Goodson is the man in the Iowa backfield. Iowa is thin at the position, with Ivory Kelly-Martin the current backup. Kelly-Martin has talent but has struggled to stay on the field, tallying only 19 carries over the past two seasons. With Mekhi Sargent now in Titans’ camp, Goodson should breeze past his career-high 158 touches.

52: Chris Tyree, RB Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The Irish entered 2020 with question marks at running back. Once the season ended, Notre Dame looked back and realized they had two stars. Kyren Williams did the heavy lifting, but Tyree was a fantastic apprentice.

He is a premier athlete, showcasing straight-line speed, agility, and the burst most often found in an athlete with a powerful lower half. Notre Dame does not do a lot with backs in the passing game, limiting Tyree’s upside there, though his skillset speaks to a back who can thrive as a receiver. He is currently below 190 pounds and needs to add weight, but his athleticism and early production are incredibly enticing.

2021 Outlook: Williams is back to lead this backfield. The hope is Tyree has an expanded role as a backup – specifically in the passing game – and takes control of the backfield in 2022.

51: CJ Verdell, RB Oregon Ducks (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: A truncated 2020 campaign may have hurt Pac-12 prospects more than anyone else in the nation, resulting in some talented players returning to campus. One such prospect is Verdell, a back who has thrived behind a strong offensive line during his time in Eugene.

Verdell is a decisive, one-cut type of runner who uses quickness to slash to the second level and glide past defenders with a slippery running style. He is a jack-of-all-trades, master of none type of runner. It is tough to see him leading an NFL backfield but he could prove an effective running mate to a more bruising type.

2021 Outlook: This is Verdell’s fifth year on campus, and his third as a starter. Mario Cristobal’s focus has been to build great lines, and Oregon’s front allows Verdell to showcase his entire skillset. A full season should allow him to operate as one of the Pac-12’s best runners.