Devy 100: 60-56

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.

60: Jalen Berger, RB Wisconsin Badgers (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Wisconsin running backs were put in a tough spot in 2020, attempting to replace the legendary Jonathan Taylor and doing so in a disjointed, truncated season. While not a banner year for the Badgers, they did appear to find their next feature runner in Berger.

He is not your typical Wisconsin bruiser in the backfield. He is much more likely to run by you as opposed to running through you, and he is well-equipped to line up in the slot and torment defenses from the slot. Berger has a frame to build on, though he will need to add mass and physicality to his game. He has the tools you cannot teach; you have to hope maturation within the Wisconsin program allows him to reach his immense potential.

2021 Outlook: Despite having a well-earned reputation as a rushing juggernaut, Wisconsin has a rather thin backfield heading into 2021. This bodes well for Berger as he attempts to push for 20 touches weekly. All the stars are aligning for a breakout campaign.

59: Demarkcus Bowman, RB Florida Gators (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: Bowman was supposed to be the heir apparent to Travis Etienne. Instead, he played sparsely early in 2020 prior to announcing his intentions to transfer. Clemson’s loss is Florida’s gain, as the Gators add him to a suddenly crowded running back room.

Bowman hits the hole swiftly and never loses steam, maintaining long speed over the balance of his runs and effortlessly sashaying past defenders in the open field. As is, he is more athlete than runner. We didn’t get to see if he showed any growth in this area at Clemson, leaving him as purely a projection based on his high school abilities. We’re left with a lot of questions to answer but I’ll always bank on athletes who tilt the field in the fashion he does.

2021 Outlook: The additional year of eligibility during the Covid campaign has left Florida overrun with talented runners. Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis are back for what feels like year nine, while former Miami transfer Lorenzo Lingard and ascending sophomore Nay’Quan Wright linger to steal touches. You could argue Bowman is the most gifted runner in this backfield, though it is a big ask to have him assume workhorse duties. He’ll need to be near the top of the pecking order to maintain his value.

58: Bryce Young, QB Alabama Crimson Tide (2023 Draft Eligible)

Profile: The next in a suddenly long line of gifted Crimson Tide quarterbacks, Young takes over under center for Nick Saban’s crew and is a safe bet to post monster numbers in 2021. He excels out of the pocket, using his legs to gain time and making pinpoint throws on the move. While he has excellent mobility, he looks to throw first, and his arm talent is the first thing you’ll note when checking him out.

At 5’11” and a sandwich under 200 pounds, Young is not the prototype, though we’ve seen size matter less and less as the NFL continues to evolve. He is a toolsy, athletic quarterback with incredible resources at his disposal in Tuscaloosa. It would be an upset if he did not develop into an NFL-caliber quarterback.

2021 Outlook: The weird and stunted 2020 campaign did Young no favors in earning playing time, and it is very possible Mac Jones would have pushed him to the bench regardless. The team is all Young’s in 2021. Even with the loss of two first-round receivers, this offense is stacked with weaponry. Young is a legitimate Heisman candidate.

57: Will Shipley, RB Clemson Tigers (2024 Draft Eligible)

Profile: It is rare for a running back to have elite receiving skills as they hit campus, yet Shipley makes it look easy, showing natural hands and a high comfort level as a route runner. A strong receiving profile is an excellent foundation for a prospect, and he should be a highly productive receiver at Clemson.

While an excellent receiver, Shipley is far from a scatback. He is close to 200 pounds out of high school and could easily carry 210-215 by the time his collegiate career is over. A sturdy and fast runner with the aforementioned receiver prowess, he has an opportunity to be a Heisman candidate and one of the top prospects in his class.

2021 Outlook: The transfer of Demarkcus Bowman affords Shipley more immediate opportunity. Bowman was dubbed by many to be the starter in 2021, and his absence creates a void behind departed superstar Etienne. Lyn-J Dixon and Kobe Pace lurk to pilfer touches, but the bet here is Shipley takes control of this backfield as a freshman.

56: Jerome Ford, RB Cincinnati Bearcats (2022 Draft Eligible)

Profile: It is bizarre to see a back with 114 touches over his career viewed so highly, yet it speaks to the respect Ford had as a recruit as well as the explosiveness he showed over the back-end of 2020. He played second fiddle to Gerrid Doaks for much of the year yet still showed an impressive size/speed combo with light feet and a comfort in the passing game.

If you believe the “fresh legs” narrative, Ford has them, and he is just scratching the surface after transferring from Alabama and being kept under wraps in Cincinnati.

2021 Outlook: Doaks is gone and now gaining hype as a Miami Dolphins’ UDFA, leaving this backfield as Ford’s. With Desmond Ridder back, the Bearcat offense should be a solid unit. Ford will be a centerpiece for Luke Fickell’s club.