Devy Scouting Notebook: True Freshmen for the 2026 NFL Draft
Welcome back to another edition of the Devy Scouting Notebook!
It’s been a minute since our last session, so I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving with your families and got a chance to enjoy all the football over the weekend.
How about that ending in “The Game” huh? I thought Ohio State had a chance to pull off the upset, but then I remembered it was Kyle McCord not CJ Stroud leading that drive downfield. My takeaway – Ohio State needs a quarterback next year – badly – or Ryan Day could be coaching elsewhere after next season.
Ok, enough Buckeye talk. Let’s move on.
I am going to switch gears and do something slightly different than I have done before. For this month’s notebook, I am going to introduce a handful of true freshmen who stood out this year and played a significant role for their team. These are names you may not know of yet, but ones you should certainly keep an eye on moving forward.
Tyler Brown, WR Clemson
2023 stats: 51-519-4
After an injury to true sophomore wideout Antonio Williams in week two, Brown stepped in and immediately popped for the Tigers providing another weapon for quarterback Cade Klubnik. Brown is a listed 5 ft 11, 180 pounds, and was an in-state recruit, hailing from Greensville, SC. The Tigers were already void of talent on the perimeter outside of Williams, and Brown stepped up and became the go-to guy.
He displayed nuanced route running and good hands, but what he brought the most for Clemson was his ability to stretch the field vertically. That was a part of the Tigers’ offense that they were sorely lacking until Brown flashed that skill set. His future is bright at Clemson heading into next season and should be considered one of the top pass catchers in the ACC and a trendy breakout player.
Dynasty Outlook: Reliable, starting high-end WR3 with WR2 spike weeks.
Kevin Concepcion, WR NC State
2023 stats: 64-767-10
Concepcion was on a lot of preseason lists as a breakout true freshman in 2023.
It’s safe to say he did not disappoint.
Concepcion lived up to the hype as an impact freshman and was the best wide receiver for the Wolfpack this season. He flashed dominant moments and an ability to be an alpha receiver who can command targets and have an offense run through him. There will still be a learning curve for Concepcion in the next two years before he becomes draft-eligible, but he will head into 2024 as the Wolfpack’s best player on offense – if he doesn’t decide to transfer.
As long as he stays healthy, I think Concepcion can hover close to 1,000 yards receiving next year.
Dynasty Outlook: Solid WR2
Mark Fletcher, RB Miami
2023 stats: 103-512-5; 7-62
Fletcher was part of a four-man committee for the Hurricanes’ backfield this season. However, every time I watched him, I thought it was clear he was the best running back on Miami’s offense. He was a four-star in-state recruit who had a nice first season in Coral Gables. He is put together with a frame that is built to sustain a heavy workload. Listed at 6 ft 2 and 225 pounds,
Fletcher has plenty of juice and can make defenders miss in space, along with long speed to create explosive plays. With the development of Miami’s strong 2023 class, and more help coming in 2024, I think Fletcher will have the chance to be a significant piece for the Hurricanes and one of the best running backs in the ACC.
Dynasty Outlook: Starting RB2 with RB1 spike week upside.
Luke Hasz, TE Arkansas
2023 stats: 16-253-3
Hasz is the only tight end who made this list – but he is a good one!
He was a high, four-star recruit out of Oklahoma and was a huge get for the Razorbacks. He was rated the number four player in the state and number nine nationally by 247 sports and enrolled early last spring. Hasz has good size being listed at 6 ft 3, 242 pounds and was a huge weapon for the Razorbacks’ offense as a true freshman. Hasz was slow to get going to start the year, but broke out in week three for a 4-78 line and then dominated against LSU going 6-116 and finding the end zone twice in a back-and-forth early-season battle.
Unfortunately, following that game, Hasz suffered a season-ending injury fracturing his clavicle and his 2023 was ended. However, his impact on the field did not go unnoticed as he was named on many true freshman All-American lists. He will be an exciting player to watch going into 2024 and should be fully healthy, ready to pick up where he left off.
Dynasty Outlook: Top ten TE1
Eric Singleton Jr, WR Georgia Tech
2023 stats: 47-706-6
Singleton was a standout track athlete who chose football and landed at Georgia Tech. If you blink, you may miss him streaking down the sideline for an explosive play. That track speed really pops when you watch his game tape.
At 5 ft 11, 173 pounds out of Douglasville, GA, Singleton earned his way into a significant role this year for the Yellow Jackets. He showed he was able to do more than just be a vertical route runner, as he developed into moving around the formation and designed plays in the quick passing game to get the ball in his hands and use his speed to outrun defenders. Singleton eventually worked his way into a starter in Georgia Tech’s 11 personnel package, and he will play a key role in the development of head coach Brent Key’s program.
Singleton seems to be already very well known amongst the devy community, so make sure you get familiar with his name heading into next preseason. Like Concepcion, he will also be a trendy breakout true sophomore.
Dynasty Outlook: Valuable roster depth receiver w/ plus flex starter upside.
Eugene Wilson III, WR Florida
2023 stats: 61-538-6
Wilson is a former four-star recruit (or five-star depending on which site you used) and was arguably the Gators’ best wideout this season. He and teammate Ricky Pearsall – who is headed to the Senior Bowl – combined for over 1,500 yards receiving. Wilson finished off strong as the calendar turned to November. The low yardage total, however, could be a result of the way he was utilized, along with subpar play at quarterback with Graham Mertz. Wilson averaged close to nine yards per catch, but he made them count and found the end zone six times. He was recently named a true freshman All-American by On3 and should build off a solid first-year campaign in Gainesville next season.
Dynasty Outlook: Trustworthy roster piece w/ weekly starter upside.
Darius Taylor, RB Minnesota
2023 stats: 103-591-4; 9-81
Taylor is an interesting case study.
The Golden Gophers went into 2023 needing to replace long-time standout running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who graduated to the NFL. Taylor had one carry for three yards – and then broke out in a huge week two performance against Eastern Michigan for a 33-193-1 line.
In a three-game span, Taylor rushed for 193, 138, and 198 yards and four touchdowns. 529 of his 591 total yards came during this window where he looked like one of the best overall running backs in the country. Unfortunately, he succumbed to injury near the end of September, missed two games, returned on October 21st against Iowa, and then was lost to injury again for the season. Taylor recently announced that he will return to Minnesota in 2024 and should be fully healthy going into summer camp next August.
If he stays healthy, Taylor can hopefully pick up where he left off in the middle of September.
Dynasty Outlook: Valuable roster depth with RB2/3 upside if he starts due to injuries.
