I want to use this preamble to touch on a spot of devy league strategy that I think is often overlooked. Feel free to scroll ahead if you want to tear into the freshmen hype.
If your league allows an infinite amount of devy spots and you run a combined rookie and devy draft each year (the only way to go), then 3rd-6th round picks are a BUY at their current cost. You can buy using players like Devontae Booker, David Johnson, Geno Smith, and just about any trendy waiver wire pick of the week, and end up with a stockpile of darts that set you up for years to come. Devy is all about hitting homers, but the easiest way to do that is to take a lot of swings. Devy is a volume game. Grab hyped incoming freshman and productive rising sophs with those picks and you’re almost guaranteed to return a profit. This past offseason players like Jordan Addison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Matt Corral, Malik Willis, Will Shipley, Jojo Earle, and Xavier Worthy were all available in the 3rd round or later in some of my leagues (again combined rookie and devy drafts). Each player has already returned a profit on where they were taken, and Corral has ascended to the 1.01 in rookie drafts. But before we go too deep down the devy strategy hole, lets talk about week 8 true freshmen!
The Freshmen
Joshua McCray
Illinois – RB – 0.8396 247 composite
Against Penn St. the Fighting Illini rushed for 357 yards, the lone bright spot in a game that saw 9 OT’s but still failed to hit the over. True freshman phenom, Joshua McCray, accounted for 142 of them on 24 carries, his second highest total of the season. He now has two games with over 140 yards. His 476 rushing yards on the season have him 10th in the Big Ten currently. He is 6’1” 240 (!) pounds, and is a human wrecking ball. He is yet to emerge as a factor in the passing game, but it is definitely something to keep an eye on. He is currently on waivers in all of my C2C leagues. Time for that to change, especially for a team rebuilding on the college side.
Braelon Allen
Wisconsin – RB – 0.9159 247 composite
Featured in this space just two weeks ago, Braelon saved his best for his encore performance. The “man-child” made the most of his 12 carries, gaining 140 yards and two scores. He has now rushed for over 100 yards in 3 straight weeks and has seen 12 or more carries in each of those contests. He is sizzling. Allen is 12th in the conference in rushing yards, and SECOND in yards per carry. The more he continues to produce, the more he is going to eat into Mellusi’s workload. He is already a top 100 devy asset and look for him to continue his climb as we approach draft season.
Jimmy Horn Jr.
USF – WR – 0.8581 247 composite
The diminutive WR continued his hot run against Temple. The freshman hauled in 100% of his 7 targets to the tune of 56 yards. He now has 12 catches for 168 yards over the last three weeks (including a goose egg last week). He has quickly become fellow tFR QB Timmy McClain’s favorite target, leading the team in receiving in 2 of the past 3 weeks. While he lacks NFL size, he looks to be a future college super producer. Keep an eye on him to continue to break out. Probably not a priority add just yet (although for rebuilders he has a lot of appeal) but definitely someone who is making a name for himself.
Beaux Collins
Clemson – WR – 0.9624 247 composite
Despite Clemson’s struggles offensively the past few weeks, Collins and D.J. Uiagalelei’s connection started to percolate against Pitt. The former St. John Bosco (CA) teammates connected 5 times for 21 yards. While those numbers do not jump off the page, the fact that Collins earned 9 targets, in the area of the field where Uiagalelei seems to succeed, bodes well for the future. At 6’3” 202 lbs, he is equipped with NFL size. He was a high rated WR recruit and just led a WR room (in targets) that is loaded with 4 and 5 star talent. A blow up game is on the horizon for Collins.
Montrell Johnson
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns – RB – 0.8572 247 composite
Two weeks down and two weeks in this column. The NOLA native followed up last week’s performance with 17 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns! His longest run of the day was a 99-yard prayer answer, right after being pinned on their one yard line. Rushing yards were in no short supply, as the Cajuns romped for an absurd 424 rushing yards. The true freshman is fifth in the Sun Belt in rushing yards so far and offers tremendous upside for C2C and CFF dynasty leagues.
Quick Hits
Devin Neal – RB – Kansas
The starting Kansas RB ran for 100 yards on 23 carries for 2 touchdowns against the OU defense!
Ketron Jackson – WR – Arkansas
The former blue chip recruit hauled in a 29-yard touchdown vs ARPB.
Malik McClain – WR – Florida State
Had a 51-yard house call against UMass. BREAKOUT GAME INCOMING.
Caleb Williams – QB – Oklahoma
Struggled a bit, but had the play of the game against Kansas, when he snatched the ball from his running back who was short of the line to gain on 4th down, and picked up the yard himself, securing the victory.
Will Shipley – RB – Clemson
Returned from injury and banished Mafah back to the bench. He had 10 carries for 52 yards against Pitt. Added a 5-yard grab through the air.
Luke Wysong – WR – New Mexico
Despite only tallying 1 yard through the air, the WR was given 8 carries for 46 yards, highlighting the lengths that they will go to get him involved.
TreyVeon Henderson – RB – Ohio State
The best RB in the Big Ten rushed 9 times for 82 yards and two scores against the Hoosiers. Top 5 devy pick.
Rodney Hammond – RB – Pitt
Led the team in rushing vs Clemson. 11 carries for 66 yards.
