Devy Players of the Week: Week 7

Welcome back to this week’s edition of Devy Players of the Week. For many teams, we’re already past the halfway point in the season. We’re getting a better idea of what this 2027 draft class and the Devy landscape as a whole look like with every passing week, and Devy rankings between me and @Evan_Kerr_ are firming up with it. Still, we had some movers following the Week 7 slate. Let’s dive in and see who made the list this time around. 

Quarterback

Conner Weigman (QB – HOU)

• 24-33, 344 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
• 11 attempts, 70 yards

Conner Weigman came up huge for the Cougars this weekend, taking down the Oklahoma State Cowboys at home in a Top 25 matchup with pretty major implications. This win moves Houston to 6-1 overall, 3-1 in conference, and keeps them right in the mix for a CFP berth. If they can steal a win at Utah next weekend, Houston could easily finish 11-1 in the regular season. 

Weigman finished the night with over 400 yards of offense and five total touchdowns, adding to an already strong fifth year. He’s now up to 20 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions, adding another six touchdowns on the ground. This is the version of Weigman we’ve been waiting for since his freshman year when he took over for Haynes King at Texas A&M. He’s now up to my Devy QB29 overall. 

Sam Leavitt (QB – LSU)

• 29-35, 276 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
• 4 attempts, 16 yards

Leavitt was due for a big game, given his nightmare-ish start in 2026. He bounced back nicely in a blowout win over Mississippi State, who was missing Kamario Taylor and Fluff Bothwell in this one. Maybe the fact that this was lopsided from the jump took some pressure off Leavitt and finally freed him up a bit. Expectations were sky-high for the Tigers this season, and it seems that’s gotten in Leavitt’s head a bit. 

This was Leavitt’s first interception-free game of the season, as he threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns. He didn’t need to use his legs in this one, but that dual-threat ability is what keeps Leavitt propped up in my Devy ranks. If he ever gets a shot to start at the NFL level, he could be electric. 

Running Back

J’Koby Williams (RB – Texas Tech)

• 11 attempts, 165 yards, 2 TDs
• 2 targets, 2 receptions, 8 yards

I have to admit, I didn’t expect Texas Tech to be one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the country after Week 7. They’re sitting at 6-0 after dismantling Arizona State 53-23 and lead the Big 12 standings. 

This backfield has been a three-man committee for much of the season, with J’Koby Williams, Cameron Dickey, and Quinten Joyner all getting work. Williams has been the most impressive of the bunch, and he showed that again this weekend, compiling over 170 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on just 13 opportunities. Williams has been elite analytically as a rusher and receiver this season, with 4.68 yards after contact per attempt (YCO/A) and 2.30 yards per route run (YPRR). The one major concern from a Devy lens is size, as Williams is listed at only 185 pounds. 

Nate Sheppard (RB – Duke)

• 20 attempts, 87 yards
• 12 targets, 11 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD

Nate Sheppard didn’t have his best game on the ground this weekend, but he sure showed off his receiving abilities. Duke’s loss to UNC was Sheppard’s first game of the season without a rushing touchdown, but he did find the end zone through the air. He also hauled in 11 receptions, putting his total at 29 for the season. 

Nate Sheppard is the heart and soul of this Blue Devil offense, and he’s proved he’s an every-down back with workhorse ability. I don’t really have any questions about his game at this point; he’s up to my Devy RB6 overall and could certainly be in the mix for RB1 in the 2028 class. 

Wide Receiver

Malachi Toney (WR – Miami)

• 11 targets, 11 receptions, 154 yards, 2 TDs

Miami escaped a disastrous loss to the Florida State Seminoles this weekend, hanging onto their undefeated season by a thread. Malachi Toney was a big part of their success (per usual), grabbing 11 balls for 154 yards and a pair of scores. Maybe the most impressive play of the game was in the first half, when Darian Mensah threw one over the middle into double coverage that looked like a sure interception. Toney went up the ladder and snatched the ball from the two defenders, keeping the Hurricanes’ drive alive. 

We’re accustomed to this type of play from Toney; he may have the stickiest hands in all of college football. Through 1.5 seasons, Toney has only one drop on 160 catchable targets. ONE DROP. That’s insane. The 2028 quarterback class has a chance to be elite, but I wouldn’t write off Toney as the potential 1.01 in 2028 Dynasty Superflex drafts. 

KJ Duff (WR – Rutgers)

• 16 targets, 9 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TDs

Another week, another monster performance from KJ Duff. Rutgers posted a one-score win over Maryland this weekend to mark their first conference win, and they did so by sticking with the same strategy they’ve stuck with all season: throw the ball to Duff. 

What makes his numbers even more impressive this year is just how much attention he draws on every route. They are force-feeding this kid regardless of whether he’s actually open, and he’s coming down with the football at a pretty high rate. Duff has been sitting as my Devy WR12 overall for quite a while now; I think he has very good odds to go Round 1 in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

Tight End

Willie Rodriguez (TE – Kentucky)

• 7 targets, 5 receptions, 38 yards, 2 TDs

Willie Rodriguez and the Kentucky Wildcats posted their third straight win this weekend, taking down the Oklahoma Sooners 21-13. Rodriguez found pay dirt twice in this one, breaking a five-week drought without a touchdown. 

But despite the lack of touchdown luck this season, Rodriguez has been one of the most consistent tight ends in the country. He’s had multiple receptions in every game and earned six or more targets in five of seven games. ESPN says Rodriguez is a junior, but I’m fairly certain he’s a redshirt sophomore with two more seasons of eligibility. Given he’s already producing as an underclassman, he’s a name to monitor going forward. 

Dominick Barry (TE – Wake Forest)

• 4 targets, 4 receptions, 102 yards, 3 TDs

I wasn’t familiar with Dominick Barry until this weekend. He’s a true freshman and a three-star recruit coming out of high school, so I imagine I’m not alone. After just two receptions through the first six weeks, Barry exploded for four receptions and three touchdowns in Week 7, as Wake throttled California by a score of 41-7. 

This was a blowout, so take the breakout game with a grain of salt if you want. I’m not ready to add him to my Devy rankings board yet, but I will be keeping tabs on Barry over the rest of the season to see if this performance earned him some more routes. 

Thanks for taking the time to check out today’s article! If you have any dynasty, devy, or C2C-related questions, I can be reached on X @jim_DFF.