With spring practices underway for NCAA college football it felt like the right time to highlight the current landscape of Devy rankings through the lens of my top 5 Devy players at each main skill position: QB, RB, and WR.
If you’re into Devy or just curious about the format this is the article for you! This is the second in a three-part series. The previous piece covered QBs HERE this piece covers RBs and the next will highlight my favorite Devy WRs, respectively.
Nicholas Singleton (RB – Penn State University)
Coming in as my top overall Devy RB is Nicholas Singleton, who was named the Big Ten Freshman of the year in 2022. Singleton had 156 attempts for 1,061 rushing yards and 12 TDs last year as the starting RB for the Penn State Nittany Lions. The most telling stat line for me, however, was his 6.8 yards per carry (YPC). I have always looked at YPC as a huge indicator of college success translating over to the pros. Factor in that Singleton produced those numbers against legitimate Big Ten defenses and he gets an extra boost for me. Being 6’0”, 219 lbs Singleton also possesses the height/weight profile of a true bell-cow RB. His tape shows a runner that has the physical strength to run it up the gut between the tackles. It also shows an electric runner with the speed to bounce it outside and take it to the house at any time.
Braelon Allen (RB – University of Wisconsin)
Braelon Allen is my top 2024 RB prospect and comes in at number two overall for my top Devy RBs. The Wisconsin Badger has topped 1,200 rushing yards in each of his two seasons as the starting RB to go along with 12 TDs in 2021 and 11 TDs in 2022. Allen’s YPC dipped slightly from year one to year two, from 6.8 to a still respectable 5.4. I’d love anything above 6.0 but 5.2-5.9 isn’t exclusionary if the RB plays for a big time school against solid competition. Allen hasn’t had many opportunities out of the backfield at this point in his career as it’s not something Wisconsin has focused on in their offense. However, new head coach Luke Fickell tends to run a more pro-style offense than the run-heavy scheme the Badgers are known for. Wisconsin also brought in a couple of former four-star QBs via the transfer portal in Tanner Mordecai from SMU and Nick Evers from Oklahoma. That would suggest an overall culture shift for Wisconsin’s offense which means Allen could be in line for an uptick of targets in the passing game. Listed at 6’2”, 235 lbs Allen is a man-child and when you watch his tape you’ll wonder how a guy that big can move that fast. His shiftiness between the tackles at his size is nothing short of extraordinary.
Blake Corum (RB – University of Michigan)
As a University of Michigan alum (December 2009) perhaps my bias is showing a little here but I have always tried to separate my personal feelings from my fantasy takes. Having said that, Blake Corum is deserving of this rank as a mauler that spearheads the Wolverine rushing attack. The University of Michigan is a running team at heart, and Blake Corum is at the center of it. Corum ran for 1,463 yards on 247 attempts with 18 rushing TDs last year for Big Blue. That was good for a solid 5.9 YPC. Corum, unfortunately, sustained a devastating knee injury against the Fighting Illini of Illinois which would see him used very sparingly in the Wolverines matchup against Ohio State University, and not at all in their playoff matchup against TCU. Still, Corum is expected to be fully recovered for the start of the 2023 collegiate season and will continue to be the straw that stirs the drink for the National Championship Contending Michigan Wolverines. Listed at 5’8”, 210 lbs Corum is a load to bring down in open space and his height allows him to get lost in the scrum.
https://youtu.be/3eKM3BaT9h8
Cedric Baxter Jr (RB – University of Texas)
Cedric Baxter Jr will be the only incoming freshman to make my top-five Devy RB list and with good reason. Listed at 6’1”, 210 lbs Baxter checks the measurable box already and I would imagine he will bulk up as he plays for the Longhorns. Baxter is a pick-a-lane-and-go runner who demonstrates good field vision. I won’t bore you with his insane high school statistics as every five-star recruit coming out has them. I love that Baxter, who is regarded by most as the nation’s top incoming freshman RB and a five-star recruit committed to the Texas Longhorns along with other top recruits Arch Manning (QB) and Johntay Cook (WR) from this incoming freshmen class. The Longhorns are building something special on offense and I want every part of it.
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders (RB – University of Arkansas)
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders rounds out my top five Devy RBs and comes in as my third favorite RB for this upcoming 2024 rookie class. Listed at a staggering 6’2”, 227 lbs Sanders is a big-bodied back that is capable of being a 3 down back in the NFL. In 2022 Sanders ran for 1,443 yards and 10 TDs on 222 attempts for the Arkansas Razorbacks. That was good for a robust 6.5 YPC. He also showed off his receiving chops a bit, catching 28 balls for 271 yards and 2 TDs. Rocket has the ideal size and game to be a stud at the next level on Sundays.
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