Devy Scouting Notebook: Midseason Prospects to Watch
I happened to see on social media this week a post of the new college football playoff format (slated to begin play with the 2024 season) based on the current rankings, and couldn’t help but notice some of the matchups – Penn State-Texas. Oklahoma-Oregon State. Alabama-Oregon.
Wow. I am glad the playoff committee got this right.
With all of the ugliness that went on during the summer with conference realignment, this new playoff format will bring even more entertainment and excitement to the game.
Now, this month’s devy scouting notebook may even include some of those players next year. Let’s take a look at these prospects below.
Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado
Sanders has not looked out of place after making the jump to the Power Five level for the Buffaloes from Jackson State. He had a hot start to the season, throwing for ten touchdowns through the first three games.
He is listed at 6 ft 2 and 215 pounds and does an exceptional job of playing from the pocket. He has shown a natural pocket presence and feel for pressure and knows where his reads are pre-snap. I think what stands out most with Sanders is his ball placement and velocity. He can zip into tight windows and place it perfectly away from triggering defenders.
Sanders is a great athlete and looks natural throwing on the run, but turns to his ground game as his last resort. It’s clear he has a good understanding of being able to beat defenses with his arm. He can also extend plays, throw off-script, and take what is given to him. As we get closer, time will tell if he decides to enter the 2024 draft. Either way, he has already solidified himself as a first-round talent.
Dynasty Outlook: The main question coming into this season was, how good is Sanders and can he play at the highest level? Those questions were answered in week one against TCU and Sanders has gotten better with each game. He is one of the best players right now in college football and will only continue to build his profile. He has the look of a plug-and-play QB1 each week and top 12 dynasty quarterback, which gives him dynasty QB1 potential.
Rookie pick value: First round, 1.04-1.07
Jonathon Brooks, RB Texas
Waiting in the shadows of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson was Brooks, who put his time in and is maximizing his opportunity as the RB1 for the Longhorns. His physicality as a power back pops and he uses that same physicality with a strong stiff arm and strong lower half to run through arm tackles and attempts. It is rare that he goes down on first contact.
Brooks excels at running with patience to allow blocks to develop and explodes through his first read to the second level. His vision is something to complement as well, as he has tremendous sudden quickness to move laterally and the footwork to bounce between gaps. Brooks’ play speed, especially to turn the perimeter, is exceptional and allows him to pick up yards in chunks. There are no wasted steps in his runs and excels in making one cut to get upfield. He also displayed versatility as a receiver providing another look downfield for defenses but can also play a key role in the short passing game.
Dynasty Outlook: Brooks has broken out in his first opportunity and hasn’t looked back. He profiles as the next back in a lineage of Texas power backs, but he is much more than that. His physical running style, and being able to use that physicality in space, will translate to the NFL. Brooks has the talent to find a role in year one and potentially rise the depth chart as a team RB1, which profiles as a solid RB2 with weekly RB1 upside.
Rookie pick value: Mid to late first. High upside second-round value if he falls (in superflex formats)
Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State
You’re more than likely not familiar with Jeanty just yet (unless you’re a fan of college football, the draft, or devy – which of course you are, because why would you be reading this if not!) but this a name you should really get to know. The true sophomore has broken out big time for the Broncos and is one of college football’s leaders in rushing.
Jeanty has a compact lower half and has a good burst to the second level. He runs with patience, and his instincts/vision in Boise State’s zone running scheme really stands out. His lateral twitch to make bounce cuts in open gaps is something you cannot teach. His feet are quick and nimble which allows him to be patient as his blocks develop and anticipates cut lanes on lead blocks. Once he’s past the line of scrimmage, Jeanty has the physicality to bounce off would-be tacklers and his agility and contact balance allow him to gain extra yards. He can run with power when he needs to, but his juice and elusiveness as a zone back are what pop the most. Lastly, he is a dynamic receiver and has the skills and athleticism to line up as an extra receiver and play in space. He and Sanders may have the highest ceiling out of all the prospects covered in this piece.
Dynasty Outlook: Jeanty still has one more year of eligibility before he is draft-eligible, so he will be firmly in the 2025 rookie conversation. He may not have a 2025 RB1 ceiling, but there’s no doubt I think he will be considered a top-three to five positional prospect. Jeanty has displayed he has the size, production, and profile to be a lead/featured back and he looks so smooth as a receiver with natural, soft hands. He has the talent to compete for a significant role in year one and could be a starter by early or midseason. He profiles as a productive, high-ceiling RB2 who will have RB1 spikes mixed in.
Rookie pick value: Late first, early second
Tory Horton, WR Colorado State
Horton has been a consistent playmaker for the Rams this year and currently ranks eighth in receiving in the nation. He has caught 77 balls and has averaged 11 yards per catch. He has a long and lean build that has even more room to grow once he gets into an NFL off-season program. He excels as a boundary receiver who wins outside the numbers and possesses very good body control and ball skills. His length allows him to make catches outside his frame and is aggressive in attacking the ball at its highest.
He may be best though when he quickly gets the ball in his hands and has space to work with. He is not the flashiest or twitchy in his releases off the line, but is predicated more on physicality and play strength. He is also a good route runner who separates with his route-running precision and his physical nature allows him to be a strong middle-of-the-field presence.
Dynasty Outlook: Horton is trending up as a day-two pick next April and will only add to the depth of the 2024 wide receiver class. The class itself is shaping up to be another one stacked with pass catchers. Horton may not have the deep speed to take the top off a defense, but he has good play speed to win vertically and is arguably one of the best catch-and-run prospects this year. I think Horton has the talent to carve out a weekly role in year one, but it will take time. Long-term, he has a WR2 profile with upside.
Rookie pick value: Second round or high upside early third
Malachi Corley, WR Western Kentucky
Corley is a fourth-year junior for the Hilltoppers who has excelled as their slot receiver, but plays a running back style. He is physical with the ball in his hands and would rather run through a defender than around him. Corley is a significant part of the Hilltoppers’ short passing game, often getting the ball in his hands quickly and letting him pick up chunk yards. His breakout game against Louisiana Tech this season (8-207-3) displayed these traits along with his skills to be more than just a catch-and-run threat. There is a lot to like about Corley and he will very much find a role in the NFL. He is not asked to run the entire route tree, but he can separate with his breaks and has some twitchy juice in his change of direction.
Dynasty Outlook: Corley is one of the top prospects in the Group 5. He has at least one more year of eligibility if he does decide to return, but is currently trending on the Senior Bowl watchlist and gaining buzz. Normally, that does mean he will choose to declare and would provide even more depth in what is shaping up to be another stacked WR class. Corley is a developing player, but has high-upside as a power slot who can catch and run and is physical in the space. I think he fits as a reliable flex player or upside WR3 who you can trust in a good matchup. He won’t be a foundational piece, but a talented depth player.
Rookie pick value: Late-round pick with high upside.
Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas
Mitchell is a transfer from the two-time defending champion Georgia Bulldogs and has made an impact this season with the Longhorns. He put himself on the map with his game against Alabama that showcased his explosiveness and playmaking impact. Mitchell is listed as 6 ft 4 and often lines up outside the numbers as the X receiver for Texas. He uses his size to his advantage, in particular on vertical and middle-of-the-field routes to position himself between the ball and a defender.
Sometimes, you do not always see guys with his size attack the ball (a la Quentin Johnston), but it was good to see Mitchell is not afraid to do that. As I mentioned, he also excelled vertically with his nuance and detail and has the athleticism to run combination routes that will help any offense get creative. It is more than likely Mitchell will declare after his breakout season and should hear his name called early on day two next April.
Dynasty Outlook: Mitchell has found a role with the Longhorns as a field-stretching perimeter wideout who has good size and can attack the ball in the air. He hasn’t been a volume receiver, but a player who can make impact, explosive plays. Mitchell has quickly risen up draft boards and should declare for 2024 and will be in the discussion as a top 10 rookie. He has the talent to be a perimeter starter in 11 or 12 personnel (two TEs on the field) that will contribute early. I think he can develop into a team WR2 and a top-five to six receiver on your roster.
Rookie pick value: Mid to late second-round pick with weekly starter upside
Ben Sinnott, TE Kansas State
Sinnott was not heavily recruited having hailed from Waterloo, IA, but has turned himself into an All-Big-12 player for the Wildcats. He was chosen as part of the 2023 John Mackey watchlist which is given annually to the nation’s best tight end.
Sinnott has good measurables, listed at 6 ft 4 and 245 with room to grow within his frame. He is athletic and a very smooth route runner with good hands. He is not afraid to make catches in traffic and can find soft spots in zone coverage. He is on the field almost every play for Kansas State’s offense and is used often as a lead blocker, lining up attached or as the wing. His physicality pops when he is asked to pull and lead on the perimeter, flashing some dominant moments. His athleticism allows him to really stretch the seam and give quarterback Will Howard a weapon in the middle of the field.
Dynasty Outlook: Sinnott has put himself in the discussion as one of the top tight ends in 2024. The group as a whole is not nearly as strong as last cycle’s crop, which was a historic class. Sinnott is highly intriguing and has underrated athleticism. He reminded me very much of Sam LaPorta, who has lived up to the hype with his opportunity as a rookie tight end for the Lions. I think Sinnott is a tier or two below that, but has the talent to develop into a dynasty TE1 long-term.
Rookie pick value: Late second, or high-ceiling early third
