Each week I will bring you the latest updates and NFL buzz surrounding college players that should prove to be integral to future fantasy success. I will utilize recent statistics, performance and film, and general “front office whispers” to compile the intel I share with you. My hope is to provide you with a leg up on your opponents. You will know which devy players to target in trades and/or in what range of draft picks (both NFL and fantasy drafts) you can expect these players to be selected. If you want to read last week’s article, click here.
Another week of college football is in the books, and Week 2 did not leave us disappointed. We have heard the BIG10 officials are meeting to discuss beginning a season as early as October. We hope to hear more on that front in the coming days. Additionally, in the 20 FBS games that were played, we witnessed some of the biggest and best upsets that we may see this entire season. Let’s sift through the aftermath of college football’s Week 2!
TRENDING UP
Kyren Williams – RB – Notre Dame
Sophomore running back Kyren Williams dominated the backfield touches for the Irish and posted an impressive stat line in a win over Duke. The former 4-star recruit out of St. Louis, MO—coming off a freshmen season in which he only received five touches—rewarded head coach Brian Kelly for his trust. Williams churned out 112 rushing yards and two rushing TDs on a workmanlike 19 carries, displaying both vision and burst. Maybe more impressive, he turned two receptions into 93 receiving yards as well.
While there may be concerns about the opponent, anyone who watched this game recognizes that this 2020 Duke team is not the same“basketball school” football program of yesteryear. Duke kept the game competitive throughout, and Notre Dame’s offense was tested at times during the first three quarters of the game. The Irish leaned on Williams, and he was certainly their player of the game.
In just his second college season, Kyren will see his draft stock sky-rocket if he can stay healthy and run with the same vision and acceleration throughout the long grind of the college season. At 204 lbs. on a 5’9” frame, he is stout enough to hold up as a 3-down running back. If he can extrapolate this production throughout the 2020 season, then he should be a devy running back option come December.
Spencer Rattler – QB – Oklahoma
Finally, we were able to see all of the hype and potential, blended with the optimistic coaching reports over the last year become actualized into the form of 290 passing yards and four TDs on 14-17 passing. Yes, Spencer Rattler’s performance this weekend comes with the caveat of a weak opponent. Still, it is worth mentioning that PFF had Rattler graded with a perfect 158.3 passer rating—the only QB in the nation to do so thus far.
Under the tutelage of Lincoln Riley, Rattler looks to be the next top-10 QB in the NFL draft whenever he chooses to declare. He will have to prove he can excel against greater competition, but the offensive scheme and talent that is afforded him will allow him to do so. Rattler needs to continue to show poise and the ability to read defenses efficiently throughout the season, but the accuracy and arm strength are there. He could benefit from added muscle to a somewhat slender frame. Rattler will be a top option in SuperFlex devy leagues, and eventually in the rookie drafts as well.
Chazz Surratt – LB – North Carolina
For whatever reason, Chazz Surratt has primarily flown under the radar in the very limited IDP devy community. The 6’4” 230 lb. versatile LB has been on my watch list, though, for a year now. The former-QB-turned-LB endured the ultimate transition in 2018, after having led the Tarheels in passing in the 2017 season as a true freshman. The brother of standout Wake Forrest WR Sage Surratt, Chazz burst onto the scene last season after a thumb injury in early 2018 ended his season early and spawned the position change.
Chazz entered this 2020 campaign coming off a year in which he finished as the ACC’s runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. He led North Carolina’s defense with 115 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 10 QB hurries. His first challenge of the year saw him face Syracuse’s high-tempo offense. Surratt showed us all that last season was not a fluke, as the relatively green linebacker registered nine total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and 2 QB pressures.
Surratt is now the unquestioned leader of that UNC defense. The development and production he has displayed in less than two years of playing the position speak to his limitless potential. I would not be surprised to see him taken in the 2nd or 3rd round of the NFL Draft next April.
TRENDING DOWN
Brock Purdy – QB – Iowa State
Heralded quarterback prospect Brock Purdy threw for just 145 years on 16 of 35 passing with an interception in Iowa State’s inaugural “tune-up” game. The Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana pulled off perhaps the biggest upset of the week, stifling Purdy’s offense and embarrassing the Cyclones. I have never been a believer in Purdy, so I may be overly critical, but I don’t think there is any coming back from this. The disappointment cannot be blamed on poor offensive line play, as they provided Breece Hall with enough running room for 103 rushing yards and a TD on 20 carries. Additionally, Purdy was only sacked one time.
While Purdy looked fine throwing short to the flats and intermediate over the middle, he struggled to put the ball downfield and frequently threw into tight coverage and flooded zones. Turnovers and special teams certainly helped doom the Cyclones, but a QB prospect who is expected to play at the next level should be capable of lifting his teammates with both his leadership and his play, especially against an inferior opponent (that even missed two field goals). The fact that Purdy could not is very concerning for me.
I view Purdy as a day three NFL Draft pick and someone I have no little interest in rostering in devy leagues. If he ends up getting drafted by New Orleans or New England and my dynasty SF team is QB needy, I may spend a 4th or 5th round rookie pick on him in the future.
Tamorrion Terry – WR – Florida State
It doesn’t look good for a top-tier WR prospect when the team’s running back finishes the game as the leading receiver. Florida State began the Mike Norvell era in the worst way possible, getting upset by a transitioning Georgia Tech team led by a true freshman QB. To add insult to injury, Jeff Sims, that true freshman Georgia Tech QB, was once a Florida State recruit and looks to have the potential to be a star. Let’s focus on Tamorrion Terry’s game though.
Terry suffered from mental lapses and drops this weekend, as he finished with just six catches for 52 yards. It is no secret that the offense suffers from poor blocking up front and quarterback limitations. Terry will need to make the most of each opportunity he gets, as this ugly offense will deal him with fewer opportunities to score and compile statistics. Therefore, he cannot afford critical drops and mental lapses in his game. He will most likely have to impress as a height-weight-speed prospect at the NFL Scouting Combine this coming February.
I still like the physical talent, and I think Terry is an impressive athletic prospect. He will probably be a day 2 pick in the NFL draft and a mid-to-late 2nd round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
Mike Rose – LB – Iowa State
I hate to pick on Iowa State again, but they were that bad. Mike Rose has risen the college LB ranks after posting back to back seasons of more than 75 tackles. This weekend Rose looked slow in coverage and seemed to wait on runners to meet him when making tackles. He finished the game with six total tackles and one tackle for loss, but against lesser competition and a couple of uninspiring runners from the Ragin’ Cajuns backfield, I think everyone expected a lot more.
For a Louisiana team that didn’t look overly aggressive or physical until the 4th quarter when they believed they could win, they routinely made Mike Rose look like just another uniform out there. Rose will have to show more violence and physicality if he wants to catch on with an NFL team in the future. He will also need to create more big plays. His athleticism might already be questioned by NFL scouts. It is probably too early to determine his NFL Draft Stock, but I would think he looks like a day 3 pick at best after this performance, combined with his prior body of work. There is still plenty of time for Rose to pick up his game though. He is not a guy I am targeting at all in devy leagues and is a player I will continue to watch.
SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH
Jonathan Adams – WR – Arkansas State
Iowa State was not the only disappointment of the Big 12 this weekend, as Kansas State lost its annual “tune-up” game in embarrassing fashion as well. The primary reason for this was their inability to stop Jonathan Adams. Adams racked up 98 yards on 8 receptions and hauled in 3 TDs, including the game-winner.
The former basketball player showed off his jump ball skills and the ability to box out defenders on each of his TDs this week. At 6’3” 220 lbs, this kid is already built like your prototypical NFL WR1. A lot will be determined by how fast he can run the 40-yard-dash after the season, but with last season’s film and production and what he has shown us so far in two games this season, I feel that Adams has the tools to be a successful NFL receiver and a red-zone specialist.
**Bonus** Grayson McCall – QB – Coastal Carolina
Grayson McCall entered Saturday night having never started a college football game before. All the freshman 2-star recruit did this weekend was lead his smaller and less-talented teammates to a comfortable and convincing victory over the University of Kansas. That’s right, the Big 12 disappoints again! McCall played fearlessly and focused, and his moxie and physicality impressed me even if the passing stat lines didn’t. Still, he accounted for 5 TDs against the Jayhawks, highlighted by an early John Elway-esque helicopter score.
McCall looks to be a player this team can rally around, and I look forward to watching him throughout this season. The dual-threat QB reportedly runs a 4.65 40-yard dash, and I tell you he looked genuinely fearless taking on Kansas defenders this weekend.
Previous Weeks’ Draft Stock Watch:
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