devy risers

We are nearing the halfway point of the college football season (I can’t believe I am already saying this), which means that it is time to decide whether or not a player’s ascension or descent is real. In other words, are the in-game results from the past few weeks believable? The most difficult thing about devy player evaluation is that it is easy to buy in heavily to a player without accepting the possibility that the ceiling could fall out at any point. Conversely, it is equally as easy to give up on a player that is struggling to make headlines when we really should be holding onto them for the long haul. We talk often at DFF about the volatility of college players’ value and why it is important to maintain a level head without being too emotional about your devy rosters one way or the other. It is my hope that this series can provide actionable information and advice on what to do with these players moving forward. That being said, it’s time to strap in for the latest edition of The Devy Notebook.

Mason Heintschel unfortunately suffered a torn ACL this weekend. This puts him out for the remainder of the 2026 college football season, but shouldn’t change anything about his overall stock. He has shown us plenty in the form of his natural arm talent to be able to feel good about where he stands. I also expect that he could find himself in the transfer portal on the move to a big-name college football program. This likely provides ample opportunity in C2C leagues to buy him from contending teams who will be frantically searching for a serviceable replacement. 
The sky is officially falling on Bryce Underwood, and I would be shocked if he is still a Wolverine heading into next season. After a loss to Minnesota this weekend, it feels like a foregone conclusion that they will lose 6+ games this season. This will provide the new coaching staff ample opportunity to test what they have in freshman quarterback, Tommy Carr. Underwood was 10/21 for a measly 101 yards and 2 interceptions this weekend. It’s time to cut bait and move him for whatever we can. I would be interested in trying to move off of Underwood for a fringe-devy QB that has shown some promise, such as Austin Simmons or Jayden Maiava
Equally as concerning in the Michigan offense is Savion Hiter. The offense has been pathetic, and I never expect freshmen to take college football by storm (if they do, great), but what I am looking for is the occasional special play; something that reminds me why I was so bought into the player in the first place. Hiter has carried the ball 46 times this season, and his longest carry is 15 yards. He is averaging 3.2 yards per carry this season, and it’s hard to imagine that number improving. There has been almost nothing on tape that can be flagged as special to this point. This doesn’t mean that I am petitioning to drop him in my rankings. In fact, I still have him as the second running back in my freshman rankings and a top 5 back in all formats. Selling him now would be asinine, but my antenna is up. 
Anthony Evans is not being talked about enough as a 2027 wide receiver prospect. He has seen elite usage this season and has a documented 10.27 100-yard dash speed. He makes big plays every single week and is always open at every level of the field. He finished this game with 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns.