Welcome back for another edition of our Weekly Watch series. I will be stepping in for Tristan Cook to cover the Devy-relevant prospects competing in this week’s slate of bowl games. Dynasty rookie drafts are right around the corner. By now, you may even know where your draft position will be. Now is the time to get a leg up on your league mates by scouting this upcoming group of rookies and getting an early look at some of the 2024 and 2025 prospects.
You know the drill by now. I will run through some of the more exciting bowl games slated to kick off over the next week and deliver some insight on the Devy prospects playing. Come back a week from now for Volume 2!
Cincinnati vs. Louisville in the Fenway Bowl
Saturday | 11:00 AM ET | ESPN | Louisville -2
Corey Kiner, 2024 RB, 5’9″ 215 lbs
Kiner should benefit from Scott Satterfield taking the job at Cincinnati. He has been good when given the opportunity, and this could be a spot for him to take off significantly. The opportunities have been disappointing this season, but Kiner has been productive with a rushing line of 76-351-5. In the consensus Dynasty Nerds devy rankings, Kiner is the No. 124 overall player and RB41.
Evan Prater, 2024 QB, 6’4″ 200 lbs
I struggled with whether to include Prater or not. He has lost some steam in devy circles, but he makes his second career start in a fun rivalry game. I expect him to run the ball a ton in this game. Hopefully, we can see a flash or two from the former four-star as a passer. Louisville has done a great job of containing mobile quarterbacks this season. Prater must seize the opportunity to impress his new head coach heading into the offseason. Prater is unranked in Dynasty Nerds devy rankings.
Florida vs. #14 Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl
Saturday | 2:30 PM ET | ESPN | Oregon St. -8.5
Montrell Johnson, 2024 RB, 5’11” 218 lbs
Anthony Richardson has declared for the NFL Draft and opted out of this game, so all of my attention is on the running backs in this matchup. The first one I want to highlight is Johnson. He followed his head coach Billy Napier from Louisiana, where he was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Johnson ran for 891 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman. He followed it up by posting a 144-827-10 line this season while splitting carries at Florida. With great size and speed, I see a future pro. Johnson is our No. 95 player overall and RB27.
Goodness, Montrell Johnson. The vision. The anticipation. Runs with a purpose. 😤pic.twitter.com/IZLItmVV3x
— Justin Hulsey (@FF_Hulsey) December 17, 2022
Trevor Etienne, 2025 RB, 5’9″ 217 lbs
The Gators had a disappointing 2022 campaign, but their stable of running backs was impressive. Etienne has a ton of juice for being a true freshman. I look forward to seeing how he fares against an impressive Oregon State defense. I see no reason Florida won’t lean on their rushing attack, which is great for us. The more film we can get on these prospects, the better. Etienne is our No. 102 player overall and RB32.
Damien Martinez, 2025 RB, 6’0″ 216 lbs
Martinez is a prospect I am ready to plant my flag on. I believe he will be one of the biggest devy risers at his position over the next 12 months. As a true freshman, Martinez rushed for 970 yards (6.1 avg) and seven touchdowns. He has been a thoroughbred since he took over as the starter in Week 7 and was named the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. Florida has one of the worst run defenses in the country, ranking 100th or worse in several key metrics. Look for Martinez to feast in this matchup. He is our No. 151 overall player and RB52 (way too low, fellas).
Oregon State freshman RB Damien Martinez is an ascending #devy asset. Had another productive game last night vs Washington. He could possibly be the best PAC 12 RB behind Charbonnet. I’ll let you decide. Every carry, every reception. Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/38KdJLeMEk
— Brandon Lejeune (@DevyDeepDive) November 5, 2022
Washington State vs. Fresno State in the LA Bowl
Saturday | 3:30 PM ET | ABC | Fresno St. -4
Cameron Ward, 2023 QB, 6’2″ 220 lbs
The LA Bowl features one of the best quarterback matchups we will see this bowl season. Cam Ward and Jake Haener are capable of filling a box score, and I can’t wait to watch them face off. Now, it is worth noting that Washington State is down multiple receivers, and Fresno State has one of the best pass defenses in the country. Ward finds himself in a tough spot. I will be thoroughly impressed if he upsets the favorite here. I like Ward, and I see some pro characteristics in his game. He has excellent touch and improvises well when the pocket collapses. He is eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft, but I expect him to return for another season in Pullman. Ward is our No. 118 overall player and QB27.
Cam Ward’s world, we’re just livin’ in it. https://t.co/0xHvJBth3N pic.twitter.com/qA6U04Efym
— Kyle Crabbs (@GrindingTheTape) October 2, 2022
Wake Forest vs. Missouri in the Gasparilla Bowl
Friday | 6:30 PM ET | ESPN | Wake Forest -1
Sam Hartman, 2023 QB, 6’1″ 210 lbs
Hartman is one of the best stories in college football, and this will be the last time we see him in a Wake Forest jersey. Now, whether he is NFL-bound or heading to the transfer portal remains to be seen. Some high-profile teams with quarterback vacancies could provide some interesting NIL opportunities. That route makes a lot of sense. Ultimately, I see Hartman as a Sam Ehlinger-type when it comes to his pro outlook, but time will tell. Regardless, he takes the field for Wake Forest this Friday in a matchup against a strong SEC defense. Playing well in a game like this is what NFL teams need to see from him. Hartman is our No. 150 overall player and QB33.
A.T. Perry, 2023 WR, 6’5″ 205 lbs
This senior wide receiver is one of the best vertical threats in all college football. He has a great catch radius, and I love how he manipulates defenders. Plus, all the guy does is produce. He is 20 yards away from back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has 26 receiving touchdowns since the start of 2021. One final deep strike from Hartman to Perry for six would be special. Perry is our No. 156 overall player and WR56.
Luther Burden, 2025 WR, 5’11” 208 lbs
There are few players in the country as dynamic as Burden. Filling the Deebo Samuel role for Missouri, Burden has made a Year 1 impact through the air and on the ground. Burden is a complete wide receiver prospect with more size and strength than we are used to seeing from true freshmen. He accounted for 420 total yards and eight touchdowns in his first season. This game has some shootout potential with an Over/Under of 61. Missouri’s offense has looked better of late, and we should get a healthy dose of their WR1. Burden is our No. 24 overall player and WR9.
I get it’s Vandy, but Luther Burden III makes this look laughably easy.
— Marc Poust (@fatpoust) October 22, 2022
A healthy LBIII is one of the best playmakers in the country as a true freshman.#Devy pic.twitter.com/1Bmw7cZJT8
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