One of my favorite ways to remain busy during the late spring and throughout the summer is to study the college stars and get a head start on the upcoming draft class. For PlayerProfiler readers, I have featured the top-12 DEVY players to keep an eye on and acquire in leagues.
It is important to remember that these rankings will change dramatically after the 2024 campaign closes. Last summer, the vast majority of Devy diehards and draftniks were not targeting QB Jayden Daniels, RB Jonathon Brooks or WR Malik Nabers, who all ascended up rankings with extraordinary seasons on the gridiron. It is imperative not to get ‘tape lock’ on a prospect. Be open-minded on a player’s ability to improve, or diminish, their draft stock.
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WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
I prefer to target receivers early in DEVY drafts because the elite ones are most likely to become stars in the NFL. At 6-5 and 205-pounds, Tetairoa McMillan stood out immediately two years ago. He led all true freshmen with 702 yards on 38 receptions and eight scores. As a sophomore, he followed up with an even more impressive campaign, catching 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. The second-year playmaker was named Third Team All-American (AP) and Second Team All-Pac-12. A classic X-receiver, McMillian is a future gamebreaker as a professional.
Notebook
“McMillan has been the face of the Arizona offense that has revolutionized the way the Pac-12 was operating. The former five-star recruit has enjoyed an explosive career thus far. He has a chance to be a part of something special in what is expected to be his final season before he enters the NFL draft as one of the potential top receiving prospects.”
– vikingswire.usatoday.com
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
When ranking DEVY players, one old scouting adage that is imperative to follow proclaims, “Do not scout the uniform.” While there is truth in the axiom, DEVY players cannot ignore coaching staffs, offensive schemes and the football culture in which a prospect suits up.
Emeka Egbuka is the next man up for the Buckeyes, who have one of the best track records over the past five seasons producing NFL receiver talent. At 6-1 and 205-pounds, Egbuka returns to campus after a disappointing season in 2023. The year before, he snatched 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 scores. He earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors and was named a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award. In 2021, he was Freshman All-American (PFF). In DEVY, Egbuka provides a massive floor with an enticing ceiling as a NFL prospect.
Notebook
“Egbuka is a silky-smooth operator out of the slot. He’s the kind of player who can be the glue for a passing offense. He is a good-not-great athlete, but he makes the most of his attributes.”
– bleacherreport.com
See John Laub’s full DEVY Rankings here: 2024 Gridiron Scholar’s DEVY Rankings
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Can the Buckeyes end the two-year skid versus their hated-rival Michigan? Looking at the strength of the two rosters, Ohio State has the offensive playmakers to end the losing streak versus the Wolverines. On offense, coach Ryan Day’s unit employs three of the top four DEVY prospects in the nation.
A five-star recruit, TreVeyon Henderson decided to return to Columbus for one more season. As a true freshman in 2021, he prevailed immediately on the gridiron, garnering Freshman All-American and Second Team All-Big Ten after running for over 1,200 yards and scoring 19 times. He has not replicated his dominance over the past two seasons because of injuries. Despite the setbacks, I am still bullish on the 5-10 and 212-pounder as a three-down ball carrier in the NFL.
Notebook
“Durability will be an obvious drawback for Henderson, who missed five games in 2022 and two more in 2023. When he’s been on the field, his quick feet for his size and excellent balance through contact are as good as any back in the upcoming draft.”
– draftwire.usatoday.com
RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
The explosive athletes that coach Ryan Day can employ on the gridiron is unparalleled in the Big Ten. Dipping into the transfer portal, Day plucked former Mississippi runner Quinshon Judkins to co-star in the backfield with Henderson. In two seasons as a Rebel, Judkins scampered for 2,725 yards and scored 31 times. Last year, he was named First Team All-SEC and First Team Freshman All-America. At 5-11 and 210-pounds, Judkins packs a wallop upon impact and combines quickness and contact balance to avoid defenders.
Notebook
“Judkins is widely considered one of the best running backs in college football and one of the biggest transfer portal additions any team made in the offseason. He has a complete skillset as a runner with very good vision and patience, hitting holes with good acceleration and explosiveness to hit the open field along with good leg drive to finish runs.”
– buckeyeswire.usatoday.com
WR Luther Burden, Missouri
The Tigers made national headlines when Luther Burden committed to the program. A five-star recruit, he was MaxPreps Player of the Year and the highest-graded high-schooler to enroll at Missouri. As a true freshman in 2022, Burden played in all 13 games and started 10. Last year, coach Eliah Drinkwitz moved the sleek-footed receiver inside to the slot, and the sophomore exploded in Drinkwitz’s aerial assault. Burden snatched 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns, earning Second Team All-America and First Team All-SEC. At 5-11 and 201-pounds, Burden has a first round grade before the season kicks off.
Notebook
“Burden has the elite explosiveness, agility, and contact balance to perfectly fit the mold of the modern-age RAC threat. But beyond those surface-level traits, he’s also an extremely natural separator with his use of space and an acrobatic catcher.”
– profootballnetwork.com
WR Evan Stewart, Oregon
After losing Troy Franklin to the NFL, the Ducks dipped into the transfer portal to acquire former Texas A&M playmaker Evan Stewart. A five-star recruit in 2022, Stewart played in the Under Armour All-American game and ran track-and-field in high school. As a true freshman, he earned SEC All-American and Freshman All-American honors. In two seasons in College Station, he logged 91 receptions for 1,163 yards and six scores. Coach Dan Lanning stands among the best in the nation and will know how to best utilize Stewart’s skill set for the Ducks and impress scouts.
Notebook
Stewart craves “…that ball, man. I’m trying to get those passes. Oregon suited everything that I was looking for. I wanted to be in a great program that had a lot of order and construction. Everything is so much better here, honestly, I’m happy with my decision,” the Ducks’ receiver stated during spring practices in Eugene, OR
– si.com
RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
I do not usually watch high school highlights. Yet, three years ago, I heard about Nicholas Singleton, a highly-recruited running back from Pennsylvania. I began watching as much game tape as I could acquire and was blown away by the young man. In 2021, Singleton was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year after sprinting for 2,059 yards and 44 touchdowns, He also ran on the track-and-field team in the 100m, 200m and the 4×100 relay squad.
Singleton enrolled at Penn State and scampered for over 1,000 yards as a true freshman. He established a freshmen school record for rushing touchdowns with 12 while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. As a sophomore, he failed to exceed his first-year production and disappointed DEVY managers and Draftniks. The Nittany Lions hired former Kansas Jayhawks’ offensive coordinator Andy Koteinicki to upgrade the unit in 2024. All reports are positive in regard to the changes, and Singleton is poised to regain the gleam on his draft stock.
Notebook
Singleton responded to a question in regard to the new offensive scheme at State College: “You know, it’s more…I’m not going to compare it (to the last system) but, just, I’m excited. You can tell everybody’s excited. It gets me hyped. Andy (Kotelnicki) is a really good coach. The plays he has installed for us, it’s been really good,” Singleton stated
– nittanysportsnow.com).
RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
It will be intriguing to see how the upcoming campaign in Chapel Hill plays out on the gridiron. The Tar Heels lost QB Drake Maye and many key members of the offensive line. Will the changes impact the production of Omarion Hampton?
Last season, the sophomore ball carrier earned Second Team All-America, First Team All-ACC and Doak Walker Finalist after rambling for 1,504 yards on 253 carries and scoring 15 times. He also grabbed 29 passes for 222 yards and a score. At 6-0 and 220-pounds, the junior is an aggressive competitor. He runs with low pads between the tackles and employees impressive vision and contact balance to maneuver through traffic.
Notebook
“The 2023 Doak Walker Award finalist broke out as a sophomore, fixing basically everything that was keeping him on the bench as a physically-ready freshman: he ran with improved vision, became a willing, decent pass protector, and cut down on the fumbles. With the trust of the coaches, he was able to let his physical gifts shine as he became one of the best running backs in the country. Hampton’s combination of speed and power is a rare one,” wrote Akil Guruparan
RB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State
People often ask me about playing College Fantasy Football, and my response is the same every time. CFF boosts my knowledge of the upcoming draft class and broadens my scouting acumen. In 2023, I watched more Oklahoma State football than I would like to admit, and Ollie Gordon led two of my CFF teams to championships.
After a sluggish first three games of the 2023 campaign, the coaching staff finally placed the ball into Gordon’s hands. He rewarded their confidence. He surpassed the 100-yard mark in nine of the team’s final 11 games, including back-to-back performances with over 250 yards. For the season, he earned 285 carries for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns while adding 39 receptions for 330 yards and a score. The Cowboys’ bellcow playmaker may be a polarizing prospect because of his style. Nonetheless, I see shades of Le’Veon Bell at Michigan State and Breece Hall at Iowa State in Gordon’s game. He has very good vision, patience and lateral agility, which make the Oklahoma State runner a worthy Top-12 DEVY selection.
Notebook
“If Gordon can carry OSU’s offense like last season, he could join some of the best running backs in recent college football history as the only players with multiple Doak Walker Awards. Ricky Williams, Darren McFadden and Jonathan Taylor are the only three to do it, all winning in back-to-back seasons,” stated Ivan White
– si.com
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
In general, I am reluctant to spend a first-round DEVY pick on a freshman prospect. The player is at least two years away from playing in the NFL and there is so much risk. However, when a talent like Jeremiah Smith signs with Ohio State, I will make an exception.
At 6-2 and 215-pounds, Smith dazzled onlookers during the Buckeyes’ 14 spring practices. In Ohio State’s spring game, QB Will Howard targeted the true freshman twice in the end zone, but could not connect with the five-star recruit on either throw. The buzz around the future Buckeyes’ star is substantial and warranted. Deservedly, Smith comes off the board in the first round of DEVY drafts in which I have participated or seen.
Notebook
“The first thing you notice about Jeremiah Smith is his elite size for his age. Very few freshmen come in with such an advanced body and know how to utilize it. Judging by his frame, he has even more room to pack on weight. It is so obvious that Smith is a special talent and has the size and speed combination to destroy defenses over the top,” (
– buckeyeswire.usatoday.com
WR Eugene Wilson, III, Florida
I’m going to make a statement that might shock readers: the Gators have one of the more dynamic duos in the nation at receiver with the recently-signed Elijah Badger and Eugene Wilson, III. Wilson’s Dad earned two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots. In high school, the younger Wilson was a four-star recruit in 2023 from Tampa Bay, Florida and selected the Gators over the Crimson Tide.
Against Vanderbilt in early October, Wilson became the target magnet in the aerial assault with 46 catches over the next six games. For the season, the true freshman corralled 61 passes for 538 yards and six scores, garnering Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American. Early breakout performers in the SEC will always grab my attention and respect. After an impressive campaign in Gainesville, Wilson has attained high DEVY status in my book.
Notebook
“The athletic wideout has already showcased his playmaking ability, utilizing his size and physicality to make tough catches. Eugene Wilson, III bulked up this offseason to break even more tackles after the catch, leading some to believe he could develop into an all-time great at Florida before moving on.”
– saturdayblitz.com
QB Carson Beck, Georgia
In my lifetime, I have seen many great college quarterbacks at Georgia—Eric Zeier, Matthew Stafford, David Greene, Aaron Murray, Jake Fromm and Stetson Bennett. Carson Beck is the best NFL prospect from the program other than Stafford, who was selected as the first overall pick by the Lions in 2009. Why is Beck being overlooked by so many? In a weak quarterback class, the Bulldogs’ signal caller easily stands atop the position rankings before training camps kickoff in July.
Beck arrived in Athens in 2020 and sat behind Bennett for three seasons before taking over the reins of the offense. In 2023, he passed for 3,941 yards and posted a 24:6 TD:INT ratio in a run-based scheme. He surpassed over 300 yards passing five times and tossed two or more touchdowns in eight games. The junior also scampered for 116 yards and four scores on the ground. He was named a finalist for the Manning Award and named Second Team All-SEC. At 6-4 and 220-pounds, Beck profiles as a pocket passer with a big arm, some rushing upside and stature that NFL scouts love and coaches desire.
Notebook
“Beck is a far better athlete than one would expect by looking at his frame. He has quick first steps and has a great feel as a runner. There is enough juice to pick up third downs with his legs against man coverage. But he won’t threaten defenses with his athleticism, either,” Dalton Miller outlined in Beck’s scouting report
– profootballnetwork.com
See more on DEVY Rankings from John Laub here: 2025 Devy Rankings with John Laub | 2024 Fantasy Football
