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 weekend’s New Year’s Six bowl games. Dynasty rookie drafts are right around the corner and you likely 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 the bowl games slated to kick off this weekend and deliver some insight on the Devy prospects playing. What a collection of talent on tap for us over the next few days.
#6 Tennessee vs. #7 Clemson in the Orange Bowl
Friday | 8:00 PM ET | ESPN | Clemson -4
Will Shipley, 2024 RB, 5’11” 205 lbs
Shipley is a complete running back prospect and one of the reasons why I am so excited about the 2024 running back class. The obvious is that he is blazing fast and provides receiving upside. He is so much stronger than many would think, though. Shipley has no problem working between the tackles and powering through a defense. When he finds open space, it’s over. He is one of the most dynamic prospects in college football. In the consensus Dynasty Nerds Devy rankings, Shipley is our No. 19 overall player and RB9.
Antonio Williams, 2025 WR, 5’11” 190 lbs
The 2025 wide receiver class is no joke and that includes this Clemson freshman. Williams is having a nice season in Year 1 on an offense that continues to struggle. He has produced with a 53-563-4 receiving line despite an inconsistent campaign from DJU. Paired with Cade Klubnik moving forward, this will be one of the best young duos in the country in the coming years. Williams is a plus route runner with excellent footwork and athleticism. Look for him to establish himself as a top tier prospect in the 2025 class. Williams is our No. 45 overall player and WR18.
Freshman WR Antonio Williams is emerging as the wide receiver to own in #devy. He’s a space creator. The only thing you need to know. pic.twitter.com/aSAfX6svqT
— Brandon Lejeune (@DevyDeepDive) December 4, 2022
Cade Klubnik, 2025 QB, 6’2″ 195 lbs
There have been a few freshman moments from Klubnik, but overall he has been impressive in his freshman season. The touch and ball placement that he puts on his throws is a thing of beauty. He is a very advanced passer already, with above-average arm talent and the ability to process information quickly. Dabo was concerned about his size heading into the season, repeatedly mentioning his frame last summer. I would like to see Klubnik fill out a bit more and get over the 200-mark, especially if the plan is to run him as much as Clemson has. Klubnik is our No. 52 overall player and QB11.
#5 Alabama vs. #9 Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl
Saturday | 12:00 PM ET | ESPN | Alabama -7
Bryce Young, 2023 QB, 6’0″ 194 lbs
Young is one of my favorite prospects in recent memory and I look forward to watching him one last time against a really impressive Kansas State team. The former 5-star joined the college ranks with loads of hype and he exceeded all expectations. The intangibles really set Young apart. Nick Saban can’t say enough about him as a leader. Young commands the offense in a way that reminds you of a point guard distributing to his playmakers. The arm talent is nothing to slouch at either. Young is a very accurate passer with more arm strength than he is given credit for. Very few college quarterbacks can read/process a defense like he can. Young is our No. 4 overall player and QB2.
Jahmyr Gibbs, 2023 RB, 5’11” 200 lbs
The Sugar Bowl features a must-watch running back matchup with Gibbs and Deuce Vaughn squaring off. Gibbs looks to cap off a highly-efficient 2022 campaign before becoming a polarizing name in the 2023 NFL Draft class. On one hand, you have an enormously-talented modern-day running back with elite contact balance and receiving ability. On the other, you have a prospect with size concerns who may be substituted out in the red zone similar to what we’re seeing with D’Andre Swift. I see a lot of Alvin Kamara and Aaron Jones when watching Gibbs. Will an NFL team give him all the touches, though? His landing spot and draft capital should help us decipher his value a bit more. Gibbs is our No. 6 overall player and RB3.
JAHMYR GIBBS is an explosive runner and a great pass catcher out of the backfield. A true duel threat running back that the NFL wants
— Coach K | Keith Sanchez (@TheTalentCode) October 1, 2022
pic.twitter.com/gq3fyrxCeG
Deuce Vaughn, 2023 RB, 5’6″ 176 lbs
The heart and soul of a still-underrated Kansas State team, Vaughn has made a habit out of embarrassing defenders this season. It is very rare that a player of Vaughn’s size has his kind of ability. He has elite vision, is electric in the receiving game, and runs between the tackles surprisingly well. The NFL is starting to value satellite backs more and I see no reason why he can’t produce in the right offense. If you are a fan of the other undersized backs in the 2023 class, you should be excited about Vaughn at his cost. Vaughn is our No. 94 overall player and RB35.
#3 TCU vs. #2 Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl
Saturday | 4:00 PM ET | ESPN | Michigan -7.5
Quentin Johnston, 2023 WR, 6’4″ 215 lbs
Johnston’s physical traits are unmatched in the 2023 class, and his trajectory as a prospect has me thrilled for his future in the NFL. He is still relatively new to the position and has made massive strides every season at TCU. I think the production concerns were always overblown. Leading up to 2022, he produced at a high level relative to his team’s offensive output. As TCU has ascended, we are seeing the production that many knew was inevitable from Johnston. With his skill set, size, and reports of his already running a verified 4.4 40, Johnston is a Day 1 lock. He offers a ceiling that only one other wide receiver in college football can top. Johnston is our No. 7 overall player and WR2.
Kendre Miller, 2023 RB, 6’0″ 220 lbs
The last thing this class needs is another top running back prospect, but here comes Kendre Miller. He is a decisive, powerful runner and has been the key to TCU’s offense. While averaging over six yards per carry, Miller has totaled 1,458 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He is the best running back in the country who people aren’t talking about nationally. Day 2 draft capital isn’t out of the question for Miller. I look forward to seeing what he can do against Michigan’s defensive front. Miller is our No. 29 overall player and RB13.
Donovan Edwards, 2024 RB, 6’1″ 204 lbs
Edwards has been at the top of my Devy buy list for over a year and is showing everyone why. He has an opportunity for another statement performance against TCU in the semifinal game. Edwards is an explosive playmaker with rare catching ability. With a perfect skill set for today’s NFL, Edwards projects as an immediate impact player. He may have the best hands of any running back in college football, while also being an explosive runner with long speed. His stock will continue to rise. Edwards is our No. 22 overall player and RB10.
Donovan Edwards is taking this 2024 NFL RB class to the next level:
— JC (@JCJDynasty) December 4, 2022
-Raheim “Rocket” Sanders
-Trey Henderson
-Will Shipley
-Braelon Allen
He’s pushing for that RB3 slot at worst but Henderson has bounce back next season if he wants to hold Edwards off.
pic.twitter.com/HZSKPZYZeY
J.J. McCarthy, 2024 QB, 6’3″ 196 lbs
I have been President of the McCarthy Fan Club since his high school days and he continues to be another high-priority Devy target for me. His arm strength and ability to throw on the run are next-level. He should have a good NFL frame once he fills out a bit more with serious athleticism. Michigan is seeing firsthand how the change from McNamara to McCarthy completely opens up the offense. There is superstar potential with this one. McCarthy is our No. 34 overall player and QB8.
#4 Ohio State vs. #1 Georgia in the Peach Bowl
Saturday | 8:00 PM ET | ESPN | Georgia -6
Marvin Harrison Jr., 2024 WR, 6’4″ 205 lbs
Holy smokes the talent in this game. Let’s start with the best wide receiver in college football. Harrison’s physical profile and testing will be off the charts. Combine that with his production at Wide Receiver U and pedigree, and you have a damn-near-perfect prospect. It’s hard to find any weaknesses in his game while you watch him glide all over the field. He is one of the best receivers I have ever scouted. Harrison is our No. 3 overall player and WR1.
C.J. Stroud, 2023 QB, 6’3″ 218 lbs
This is Stroud’s legacy game, and boy does he need to come through. Not only to help his standing as an Ohio State quarterback but also to rehabilitate his draft stock. The majority ranked him ahead of Bryce Young as the 2023 QB1 before the season. Now, there are talks of him sliding in the NFL Draft and teams preferring the tools of Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. I recently did a thorough 2022 film review and came away unimpressed with Stroud’s arm talent. He is above average in many areas, but not exceptional at any one thing. I suppose accuracy and ball placement are his biggest strengths, but even that wasn’t as consistent as I thought it would be. It is hard to evaluate his ability to process information and work through progressions because he isn’t asked to do that very often. A Jared Goff-type career may be the most realistic outcome. Which is fine once we adjust our expectations. He needs to come up big in this game. Stroud is our No. 15 overall player and QB5.
Emeka Egbuka, 2024 WR, 6’1″ 205 lbs
Egbuka has really refined his game and it shows. He seems to always be open and is the model for consistency, with an elite analytical profile that boasts one of the highest Yards Per Team Pass Attempt (YPTPA) marks in the country. He will be yet another Ohio State first-round wide receiver in April 2024. Ebguka is our No. 30 overall player and WR9.
Marvin Harrison Jr. keeps getting all the spotlights, but Ohio State sophomore receiver Emeka Egbuka is a top WR prospect too.
— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) November 21, 2022
Complete skillset, very well rounded, above average athleticism. He will be a WR1 in the NFL.pic.twitter.com/1OxHD0IGdo
Brock Bowers, 2024 TE, 6’4″ 230 lbs
Is there a better weapon in college football than Bowers? A unicorn, a cheat code, whatever you want to call him. There is no greater mismatch and I can’t wait for him to be a problem in the league. Considering Georgia’s total output, Bowers’ receiving line of 52-726-6 is ridiculous. Bowers is our No. 26 overall player and TE1.
#16 Tulane vs. #10 USC in the Cotton Bowl
Monday | 1:00 PM ET | ESPN | USC -2
Tyjae Spears, 2023 RB, 5’11” 195 lbs
Spears is one of my favorite deep sleepers in the 2023 draft class. He has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in seven straight games, with a rushing line of 212-1,376-15 on the season. Spears has 21.4 mph game speed, is strong in the receiving game, and makes an impact in pass protection. He is very explosive and could rise fast in draft circles. Spears is our No. 105 overall player and RB38.
Caleb Williams, 2024 QB, 6’1″ 215 lbs
Simply put, he is a wizard. Williams does things at the collegiate level that only two or three quarterbacks in the NFL are capable of. He would easily be the first overall pick in the 2023 class if he were eligible. The Heisman Trophy winner is one of the most gifted, creative, jaw-dropping quarterback prospects I have scouted. The top four quarterbacks in the 2023 class all received grades between 82-87 from me. Williams, as a true sophomore, received a grade of 92. Let the tanking begin. Williams is our No. 2 overall player and QB1.
Still in awe of this throw by Caleb Williams. There is a small handful of quarterbacks alive who can make this throw, and Williams made 3 of these last night. He’s the #Devy QB1. My favorite QB prospect since Luck. Wizard.pic.twitter.com/FTNinf90Tn
— Justin Hulsey 🏴☠️ (@FF_Hulsey) November 20, 2022
Jordan Addison, 2023 WR, 6’0″ 175 lbs
Addison is lightning-quick off the line of scrimmage, can play in the slot or outside, and is a master route runner. At 6’0” and 175 lbs, he has a similar frame and play strength to DeVonta Smith. Addison is destined to be a WR2 at the next level, which is why he’s a tier-two prospect for me in the 2023 class. Addison is our No. 16 overall player and WR4.
#11 Penn State vs. #8 Utah in the Rose Bowl
Monday | 5:00 PM ET | ESPN | Utah -2.5
Nick Singleton, 2025 RB, 6’0″ 219 lbs
As mega-prospect Bijan Robinson transitions from Devy RB1 to Dynasty RB1, Singleton looks ready to take over as college football’s top running back. He is an absolute tank, running with relentless power, speed, and anger. As a runner, he is very advanced with exceptional footwork and vision. He was a bully all season, ranking up 1,026 yards and 11 touchdowns. Singleton is our No. 5 overall player and RB2.
BIG BOY run from Nicholas Singleton 💪 pic.twitter.com/gXdCmD6wlI
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 12, 2022
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