Devy Fantasy Football Wrap-Up: Championship Week

We had a fun slate of games for Championship Week. We started things off with Utah upsetting USC 47-24 on Friday night. Then Kansas State made the playoff picture sticky by surprising everyone by beating TCU 31-28. Georgia did what everyone thought they were going to do again LSU by beating them 50-30. Michigan ran through Purdue to win the Big Ten title. Clemson came to play against North Carolina, crushing them 39-10 to win the ACC Championship.

Now we look forward to bowl season and the College Football Playoff. This will give us the opportunity to see some of the top prospects on a national stage. Bowl games tend to shine a spotlight on some of the younger prospects in college football.

The College Football Playoff opens with Georgia playing Ohio State and Michigan against TCU. Although the outcome seems predictable with Georgia favored to win the whole thing, anything can happen in college football.

QUARTERBACK

Caleb Williams, USC

In a losing effort against Utah in the Pac-12 championship, Williams completed 28 of his 41 pass attempts for 363 yards and three touchdowns while tossing one interception. It was another game where he made a few amazing plays, letting everyone know that he’s a prime contender to be the first overall draft selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson

The five-star freshman was named MVP in the ACC Championship after DJ Uiagalelei was benched. He came off the bench to complete 20 of his 24 pass attempts for 279 yards and two touchdowns. He balled out in this game, making multiple big-money throws. We will watch him start in the Orange Bowl and it looks like it’s going to be the Klubnik show going forward.

RUNNING BACK

Kendal Milton, Georgia

Milton is a fun back to watch. His size adjust athleticism will make him an asset at the next level. Against LSU, he rushed for 113 yards on eight carries. He had an impressive 51-yard run. Milton is eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft and is a running back everyone needs to monitor.

Donovan Edwards, Michigan

Edwards has rushed for 401 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. He has stepped up since Blake Corum has been out with an injury. In the Big Ten Championship against Purdue, we saw him carry the ball 25 times for 185 yards and one touchdown. It’s going to be fun to see how he progresses going into his junior season next year.

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

Even though he’s a smaller running back prospect, there will still be a role for Vaughn at the next level. He has been productive throughout his career and has been dynamic in the passing game. We saw him make some big plays, helping Kansas State upset TCU in the Big-12 Championship. He carried the ball 26 times for 130 yards and one touchdown.

WIDE RECEIVER

Malik Nabers, LSU

Nabers caught five of his eight targets for 128 yards and one touchdown. This was his second 100-yard game of the season. He has been making plays all season which has elevated his devy stock. Expect big things from Nabers in 2023.

Kayshon Boutte, LSU

It’s great to see Boutte have a big game in the SEC championship game after a disappointing season. He showed that he still has the goods. Boutte was dominant last season with 503 yards and nine touchdowns in six games before his season prematurely ended due to an injury. Boutte is considered one of the top wide receivers in the 2023 draft class. He should be a discount in rookie drafts since he underdelivered in his 2023 season.

Quentin Johnston, TCU

Johnston was a major factor in Saturday’s game against Kansas State. He reeled in four catches for 139 yards. After a slow start to the season, Johnston had a very strong finish to the season, cementing his status as one of the top wide receivers in the 2023 draft class. Look for him to get drafted in the first round and hold heavy draft capital in rookie drafts next spring.

Josh Downs, North Carolina

Downs had his sixth 100-yard game of the season on Saturday. Against Clemson, he caught 11 balls for 100 yards. He has been solid throughout his career at North Carolina with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Downs will be one of the top wide receivers in the 2023 draft class and should fall anywhere from the latter part of the first round to somewhere in the middle of the second round of rookie drafts.

TIGHT END

Brock Bowers, Georgia

After being quiet the last few weeks of the regular season, Bowers turned up the heat in the SEC championship game. Against LSU, he caught six balls for 81 yards and one touchdown. His blend of size and speed makes him a matchup nightmare. He has been productive from the jump with 1,608 yards in two seasons with Georgia.