Each season, we in the dynasty community get a wonderful preview of the talent that’s about to enter the NFL. College football is one of the most entertaining sports because it combines the exciting thrill of the game we all know and love with a type of rivalry and pageantry that the NFL simply cannot match. Once upon a time, College Football was the far more marketable product. We here at Dynasty Nerds want to provide our readers with a preview of the players they will see in their rookie drafts over the next couple of years. The best dynasty managers are the most prepared. To that end, we will bring you a series of articles that highlight some of the biggest names in the college game. Each article will focus on four players whose stock is up, and four who have seen a dip. Our hope is that you will get to know these players throughout the process and be lightyears ahead of the competition when it comes to your future rookie drafts.
Stock Up
Nicholas Singleton | RB | Penn State
Entering the season, few running backs in the nation had more to prove than Nicholas Singleton. He shined during his impressive rookie season where he won the Big-10 Freshman of the Year honors. Then last season his numbers fell off. He is back to an extremely encouraging start in 2024, putting up back-to-back 100-yard games. Penn State struggled with Bowling Green this past week, but Singleton paced the offense. He had over 100 rushing yards and a TD as both a runner and receiver. Below you can see the game-clinching score.
Nicholas Singleton shows an increased awareness of movement infront of him and did a great job bouncing it left and taking it to the house!
— Fantasy Wildcard Devy (@WildcardDevy) September 7, 2024
Good job! pic.twitter.com/Rw8Gm6U31L
In a class that is loaded at the running back position, Singleton must establish himself again if he wants to challenge for the top RB next spring. If he continues to stack games like this, he should continue to climb back up boards. With games against Kent State, Illinois, and UCLA on tap, look for Singleton to continue to find success behind the improved Penn State offensive line.
Quinn Ewers | QB | Texas
Quinn Ewers is the guest you invite over to your house, but you can’t wait for them to leave. The Texas starter helped the Longhorns to their first Big-12 Title since 2009. Despite his success in winning a conference title and leading the Longhorns to the CFB playoff, fans can’t wait for Ewers to leave so they can get a look at Arch Manning. Despite this, Ewers is off to an impressive start. He just led his squad to an impressive victory at Michigan. In the clip below you will see his most impressive TD of the day. Take note of how Ewers rolls to his left and still manages to get off a crisp, cross-body pass. The zip on the ball going against the grain is extremely impressive from the Texas QB.
Quinn Ewers has shut up the entirety of Ann Arbor
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 7, 2024
pic.twitter.com/TZTL0nF8Tl
The 2025 quarterback class does not look as deep as last year’s group. There does not appear to be a lead pipe lock at the top of the group and the order is open for interpretation. Ewers has some nice athleticism and could end up finding himself high on draft boards if he continues to play this way. Quinn Ewers has a number of high-profile games on the horizon. If he continues to lead UT in this fashion, he will solidify himself as an upper-echelon QB for the upcoming draft.
Dylan Sampson | RB | Tennessee
Few, if any, players are off to a better start in the college ranks than Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson. The talented player appears to be emerging from behind the shadow of former Vols RB Jaylen Wright. Hall of Fame WR Steve Smith once said that “big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games”. Sampson did just that this past weekend powering the Volunteers to victory in a marquee matchup against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.
Dylan Sampson 😤
— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) September 8, 2024
Enough said. pic.twitter.com/8uM31CsErD
The score above was one of two on the day for the uber-talented playmaker. Just look at how quick he is once he gets the angle on the defender. Sampson currently boasts a rushing line of 32 carries for 256 yards and 5 rushing TDs across two games. Equally impressive are his 6 catches for 66 yards. He is a legitimate weapon in both the rushing and passing game. Take notice of this kid as he appears to be an in-season riser.
Wayshawn Parker | RB | Washington State
Wayshawn Parker burst onto the scene in a big way early this college season. The 3-star prospect out of Sacramento, California leads all freshman RBs in nearly every major category. He is proving to be an explosive playmaker with a nose for the endzone.
True Freshman Spotlight: #WSU RB Wayshawn Parker.
— Cory P. (@FF_Guitarist) September 11, 2024
Big play threat at 6-0/200 lbs.
Through 2 weeks, his ranks within the P4 for this freshman RB class (min 15 att):
1st YPC (8.7)
1st TD (3)
1st Y/AC (5.42)
1st in MTF (11)
1st in 15+ plays (3)
1st in Rec yds (54)
👀 #C2C #Devy pic.twitter.com/wQfq2WMJEX
As a freshman, it will be a couple of years until Parker is eligible for the NFL draft. However, we should take note of his hot start. File this name away as the season progresses. Be sure to check out some of those west-coast games to get a look at this explosive RB. Scoop him up in your devy leagues and always keep that one eye on the future.
Stock Down
Donovan Edwards | RB | Michigan
Donovan Edwards entered 2024 as one of the more highly-touted running backs in the nation. The explosive playmaker has thrived in the shadow of former team captain Blake Corum. Over his 3 seasons at Michigan, Edwards has averaged 5.5 ypc and (more importantly) averaged over 20 receptions a year. This was supposed to be his big opportunity. The early returns have been disappointing through 2 games after his 19 for 68 and 0 stat line. You can see his lone receiving TD from Week 1 below.
Captain Donovan Edwards scores our first TD of the season! pic.twitter.com/er8c8k51gG
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 31, 2024
While Edwards’ numbers did see an uptick against Texas, this is about as bad of a start as you could have for Edwards. Instead of emerging from the shadow of Corum and putting his stamp on the Wolverine’s offense, Edwards has shrunk from the challenge. He could potentially turn things around, but when you struggle against Fresno, it makes me wonder if his work ethic has slacked since last season’s National Championship. Keep an eye on how he does next week against Arkansas State. If he doesn’t right the ship in that contest, it will be time for a full-on panic for this prospect.
Riley Leonard | QB | Notre Dame
Riley Leonard was a multi-year starter at Duke before entering the transfer portal this past offseason. Leonard was the “big get” for the Fighting Irish as they sought to put together a banner season for Head Coach Marcus Freeman. After an impressive team victory against Texas A&M, the ride came to a screeching halt as the Fighting Irish lost at home to Northern Illinois. To make matters worse, Leonard has struggled mightily by throwing for a combined 321 yards, 0 TDs, and 2 INTs.
Notre Dame won’t be a legit title contender without high-level quarterback play.
— Ryan🎙️ (@RyanKnowsBall) September 7, 2024
This is a BRUTAL throw by Riley Leonard😮💨pic.twitter.com/9Xpfrv5MUn
There was intrigue surrounding Leonard at the beginning of the year. Some in the dynasty community wondered if he could take the bull by the horns and put together a brilliant final year at the helm of a premier program. The early results are not encouraging, and barring a miraculous turnaround, you can likely write this young man off of your draft boards for next spring.
Abu Sama III | RB | Iowa State
Following an outstanding freshman season in which he ran for an impressive 7.3 YPC, Abu Sama III was set to take on a major role in 2024. The early results have not been optimistic. The Iowa State product has struggled to get it rolling. We were hoping to see more of the player below.
Abu Sama III is going to DOMINATE next season🌪️
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 9, 2024
(🎥: @CycloneFB)
pic.twitter.com/dv8jpDwBAe
Last week, in a huge win for the Cyclones over the in-state rival Iowa Hawkeyes, Abu managed a meager 17 carries for 58 yards and 0 TDs. As a receiver, he only managed 2 receptions for 1 yard. It is still early, and Sama is not eligible for next season’s draft, but this is a start to keep a close eye on. With a game against lowly Arkansas State on tap in Week 3, we really need to see an uptick in production or it may be time to start ringing alarm bells.
Behren Morton | QB | Texas Tech
We are going back to the Big 12 where Texas Tech signal caller Behren Morton looked like the next in a long line of explosive Red Raider QBs after tossing 5 TDs in Week 1. However, that was against an overmatched Abilene Christina squad. In Week 2, Morton crashed to earth tossing a pair of costly interceptions that led to his team’s defeat against Washington State.
To beat Texas Tech Saturday night, WSU registered four takeaways, limited Tech to 1/5 on fourth down and disrupted QB Behren Morton all game. But thanks to this pass rush, the Cougs snuffed out any comeback possibility. Deep dive on WSU’s defense in here. https://t.co/SU0niZPCdX pic.twitter.com/pi4rZO61Jl
— Greg Woods (@GregWWoods) September 9, 2024
Morton was under duress for most of the day. He still managed to put up 323 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs. He struggled in the biggest moments and failed to carry the Red Raiders across the finish line. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm watch lister has plenty of time to turn things around after a tough road game. But at this point, his stock is most certainly down.
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