Devy Summer Scouting Series: Early-Season College Standouts
We are nearing the midseason of college football, but it feels like an entire season has already passed with five September games. However, next week does mark the halfway point for some teams, which has given us valuable information for draft season as well as our decision to either play for this year or build to compete in 2024 for our rosters.
The Devy Scouting Series returns for an in-season look at a handful of players I have identified as prospects who are performing and could be valuable additions to your dynasty rosters in the future.
I have broken each one of them down into three parts that will give you an overview of their NFL projection and fit in dynasty.
Audric Estime, RB Notre Dame
The nation’s leading rusher has picked up where he left off in 2022. Last year, he took over as the RB1 for the Fighting Irish, rushing for 920 yards and double-digit touchdowns with 11. Estime has already surpassed half of that rushing total before midseason, and is building his case as a riser in this running back class. In a class with a handful of power backs, Estime is the next one to include. He is compact at 5-foot-11 and 227 pounds and his power/strength allows him to run through arm tackles with ease and rarely goes down on first contact. He’s averaged 4.63 yards after contact per attempt and 352 of his 591 total rushing yards have come after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.
Estime is explosive at the line of scrimmage and then taps into his frame at the second level to run with power and physicality. There is no wasted movement in his play style. He is a throwback north-south, downhill runner that gets upfield and picks up chunk plays, has also flashed home-run hitting speed to turn those chunk plays into long touchdowns.
Dynasty Outlook: Estime is a true junior so he will have one more year of eligibility remaining after this year. Whether he returns to school or enters the 2024 NFL Draft, he has the skill set to compete for a starting role in year one. I think he projects as a team RB1 in the NFL and a solid RB2 in dynasty.
Rookie Pick value: Solid early to mid second round, but can see falling to third depending on situation, which would be exceptional value.
Jawhar Jordan, RB Louisville
Jordan is a redshirt junior who was very productive for Louisville last year and has gotten off to an even better start this year. He broke a 74-yard TD run in week one against Georgia Tech that displayed his game-breaking long speed and also flashed physicality at the second level lowering his shoulder to run through defenders – which is impressive, as Jordan is listed at 5-foot-10 and only 185 pounds. He has built on his torrid end to last year when he tore up Cincinnatti’s defense in their bowl game for runs of 49 and 41 yards.
Jordan has displayed that explosive play ability through the first five games of this year and continues to build a strong profile. He has established himself as the Cardinals’ lead rusher and is having an All-ACC season. In a deep running back class, he only adds to its depth, but is an underclassman with one more year of eligibility after this year. Should he declare, he is a day three talent with the long speed and physicality to carve out a committee role.
Dynasty Outlook: Depending on which year Jordan decides to declare and enter the NFL Draft, he will most likely fly under the radar, as he does not have a workhorse or elite RB1 profile. However, I think Jordan has the skills to compete for a role in year one and win a backup job – and we have seen just how valuable that role is for dynasty rosters. He will be worth a dart throw in the late rounds and can climb to a back-end second-round pick should he land in a situation where he can contribute immediately.
Rookie Pick Value: Late-round dart throw w/ upside. Back-end second-round ceiling, but is situation-dependent.
Devin Neal, RB Kansas
Neal was a three-star recruit for the Jayhawks that broke out in his true freshman year (2021) playing in 11 games, starting eight down the stretch. He built on a solid rookie year to rush for over 1,000 yards. He also caught 21 passes and was named as an honorable-mention All-Big 12. Neal has taken an even greater leap this year and has been a dynamic weapon for the Jayhawks in their wide-zone offense.
When you turn on his tape, Neal pops off the screen. I think the best part of his game is his sudden quickness and explosive lateral cuts that make defenders miss at any level. His twitchy, “phone-booth” quickness often froze safeties trying to fill gaps that allowed him to pick up chunk runs consistently. He is also a dynamic receiver out of the backfield being used in motion to get out in space or take advantage of a mismatch downfield against man coverage. The one knock against him is his size, as he’s listed at 5’10”, 210 pounds and may not be scheme-diverse. His game translates to a heavy zone run scheme that will open up lanes to use his burst and exceptional juice in space. Neal is flying under the radar at this point as a dark-horse top-ten running back prospect.
Dynasty Outlook: Should Neal decide to declare this year, I think he has no doubt day-two talent – most likely somewhere between a mid-second to early-third projection. Think De’Von Achane‘s profile but bigger size, if you need a comparison. He has the skillset and elusiveness to compete for an early starting role. If not, he will be a high-valued backup that has a high-end RB2 ceiling should he ever be given a starting opportunity.
Rookie Pick Value: Worthy second-round pick.
Keon Coleman, WR Florida State
There is no one, in this piece nor in college football, who I think has helped himself more than Coleman has in the early part of this season. He established himself immediately as an alpha in the Seminoles’ opener against LSU, turning a quick slant into a long touchdown and scoring two more times thereafter. There was a lot of hype for Coleman and the Seminoles coming into this season and both have held up their end. He leads the ACC in touchdowns (6) and has shown the ability to win at every level of the field. His game-winning, walk-off contested catch against Clemson was a great example of the impact he has on a game and his alpha qualities. Coleman is steadily rising up my draft board and has solidified himself as a day-one pick next year. He has all the physical tools and skill set to be a day-one starter in the NFL in 2024 and projects as an X-type WR1 long-term.
Dynasty Outlook: It is possible he returns to school, but I don’t see a scenario where Coleman does at this point. He continues to generate draft buzz and has established a day-one profile. I think he will land somewhere in the top 20-25 in round one, which means he will be counted on to contribute and produce from day one. If he gets that lucrative draft capital, Coleman will be a top 25-30 dynasty WR and can develop into a weekly starter as a WR3 with WR2 upside, and a dynasty WR1 ceiling.
Rookie pick value: Mid to late first-round pick with an early second-round floor. If he falls to the second round, you should not hesitate to make that pick.
Antonio Williams, WR Clemson
Williams is a high-recruit and former four-star recruit for the Tigers in 2022. He carved out a significant role in year one and was one of the best players on offense for Clemson this year before getting hurt. He has now missed the last two games and has no timetable for his return. If/when he does return, I do expect Williams to pick up where he left off. He is active at all three levels and has the ability to create explosive plays when the ball is in his hands. He is a weapon in the Tigers’ short passing game with his explosive and dynamic catch and run ability, as he can turn screens, slants, and quick outs into impact plays. Williams also displays a twitchy release and can separate with both his speed and precision route running. He is first draft-eligible in 2025 but Williams is a day-two talent with a potential late day-one ceiling.
Dynasty Outlook: Should Williams declare in his first year of eligibility, I think he is the type of athlete who will rise during draft season. As I mentioned, I think he has a late day-one ceiling, which means he will enter the NFL with an opportunity to compete for a starting role, but I think that projects more by year two. He will be a dynasty top 25 wide receiver with an early draft profile and has a WR2 ceiling long-term.
Rookie pick value: Solid early to mid second round, excellent value should he fall to late second.
Sam Hartman, QB Notre Dame
The last of this group of prospects is Hartman – who no doubt has the best beard in college football. He transferred to Notre Dame from Wake Forest in his final year of eligibility and has unlocked even more to his game. He has yet to throw an interception and has tossed 14 touchdowns. The Fighting Irish passing game was practically nonexistent last year, but Hartman has changed that which is a big reason why Notre Dame is 4-1 through five games.
When I watch him, I just see a quarterback who has the confidence to make any throw and can fit it into tight windows. He has displayed his ability to manipulate safeties with his eyes and work his way through his progression reads. His arm looks even stronger than it did last year and he throws with velocity, anticipation, and accuracy. There are some cases where he does miss throws and will sail passes, but he is able to recover on the next play and drill a great throw. Hartman reminded me of a lesser Ryan Fitzpatrick, as a valuable career backup who can be a short-term starter while searching for your future.
Dynasty Outlook: Before this year, I thought Hartman was an early day-three prospect. He decided to come back and transfer to Notre Dame, putting himself into the national spotlight. I think it will only help him during the draft process, but I still believe he is a day three caliber player who could certainly sneak into the end of day two. Hartman will have every opportunity to compete for a backup job in year one and may even get a chance to start due to injury. Like in real life, he will be a valuable backup quarterback you can roster and possibly start as your QB2 in the superflex spot.
Rookie pick value: Late-round pick – anywhere in the third – with high upside/ceiling.
