Andy Pham

Devy Digest: Quarterbacks Rankings and Thoughts

by

My Top 10 Quarterbacks

RANK NAME SCHOOL DRAFT ELIGIBLE
1Caleb WilliamsUSC2024
2Drake MayeNorth Carolina2024
3Malachi NelsonUSC2026
4Dante MooreUCLA2026
5Nico IamaleavaTennessee2026
6Cade KlubnikClemson2025
7Quinn EwersTexas2024
8Drew AllarPenn State2025
9Kyle McCordOhio State2024
10Arch ManningTexas2026

A little about my top 10

Cade Klubnik is primed for a great season with a new offensive coordinator and pantry full of weapons at his disposal. I'm lower than most on Drew Allar and it's more of the system that's around him, strong defense with a great 1-2 punch in the running game, Allar won't be in position to need to do a lot, and his receiving room isn't the greatest. With 4 Freshman in the top 10, it is more aggressive than most, but this bunch has a chance to be something special. 

 

 

RISERS

My riser for this year is Senior KJ Jefferson. He has all the tools the NFL will love. Great arm, reads the field well, protects the football and is a power rusher. At 6'3" 245lbs, he's someone I expect to rise at next year's NFL draft combine. My riser for next year, that I want to mention is Garrett Nussmeier out of LSU. He will be the starter next year in a 2025 draft class that is currently lacking a standout.

 

 

FALLERS

Bo Nix, can't fault his production last year in a new offense at Oregon but, for me I would sell as a devy asset. He's in a quarterback friendly system that makes his reads easy. Great CFF production, but a sell as a Devy asset.

 

FRESHMAN

Other Freshman to make note of besides the aforementioned top 4, we have Jackson Arnold who should take over next season at Oklahoma, Aidan Chiles out of Oregon State, Austin Novosad out of Oregon should be given the keys to the car next season and one sleeper to look at, Avery Johnson out of Kansas State is their highest rated recruit in recent memory. He won't be over recruited and will have every opportunity to flourish. 

 

 

Devy Digest: Malik Nabers

by

malik-nabers-lsu-carrying-weapon-022323-2-a6504e70d82f481585a6a92ead121b64

School: LSU

6'4" 200lbs

Age: 20

Pos: Wide Reciever

Draft Eligible: 2024

Who is Malik Nabers?

Nabers was a 4* in the composites and attended Ovey Comeaux High before transferring to Southside High for his Senior season where he was unable to play football due to his waiver request being denied. During his time in High School, Nabers was a three sport athlete who also played Basketball, and Track And Field. Due to missing his Senior season in High School, Nabers came to LSU rusty and needing to play catch up, and it showed. He had a sluggish Freshman season with concentration drops. Nabers was used primarily out of the slot and poor quarterback play, didn't help him out. As a Sophomore, Nabers earned a starting spot opposite of the incumbent alpha, Kayshon Boutte. What we saw under first year coach Brian Kelly was Nabers overtaking the wide receiver room and blossomed in front of our eyes playing outside and not just in the slot. Jayden Daniels had an up and down year and his accuracy was not very good but Nabers was able to command targets and produced as a top tier wide receiver. Nabers capped off the 2022 season in the SEC championship game against Georgia where he exposed a truly elite defensive, going 5/128/1 and then topped that in the Citrus Bowl going 9/103/1 and being named the Citrus Bowl MVP.

 

Advance Metrics courtesy of Campus 2 Canton

 

I project Nabers to take a big step forward this year, and why he is my wide receiver 2 for the 2024 class.

 

2023 Outlook

Nabers returns as the clear alpha in the room and the rapport with Jayden Daniels should improve. We saw in the spring game, the very first play Daniels connected with Nabers for a touchdown in a goal to go situation. Nabers commanded a 24% target share last year when Kayshon Boutte was supposed to be the go to guy, this year Nabers doesn't have any real competition in the room. While LSU has a very talented wide receiving group, it's unproven and young. Kyren Lacy and Brian Thomas appear to be the guys opposite Nabers in a 3 wide set and Aaron Anderson is an Alabama transfer whom was a highly recruited receiver our of Louisiana and is a redshirt Freshman. LSU has a trio of true Freshman receivers that come in with hype, Shelton Sampson Jr, Jalen Brown, and Kyle Parker. It's a deep receiving room but one that lacks a target getter that would hinder Nabers. Lacy had a good spring but is a different type of player than Nabers is and should only compliment Nabers to prevent the secondary from shading coverage his way. A 30+% target share is within the range of outcomes and the volume that we could see, will only boost Nabers.

 

Strengths

Nabers has a great release package to avoid getting jammed at the line of scrimmage. Nabers is a tough, physical wide receiver and is an excellent route runner that uses his footwork as well as his physicality to win. Nabers tracks the ball very well and has strong hands to bring down 50/50 jump balls. Nabers has a great feel for the game and has great body control and uses his frame to show his quarterback a clean target to throw at. Because of the combination of physicality and refined route running, Nabers can be used out wide or in the slot as he can beat press coverage and zone. 

 

Improvements/Concerns

I'd like to see Nabers be used more as a red zone target, he only had 3 touchdowns last year. Nabers has adequate size and has the toughness and ball tracking that you want in a receiver in the red zone. Quarterback play is another concern. Jayden Daniels didn't help Nabers at all and we can only hope another year together, they can build better rapport and Daniels can get the ball to Nabers with better accuracy.

 

Devy Value

Nabers is my wide receiver 2 of the 2024 draft class and he is a buy. The 24 draft tier is Marvin Harrison Jr, slight drop to Nabers and Egbuka, then a big drop off to the wide receiver 4-8. I'm buying Nabers all day.

 

NFL Outlook

Day 1 draft capital, with a floor of day 2. Nabers is my wide receiver 2 for the 2024 class. While I understand why most have Egbuka as their WR2, to me Nabers is the guy I want. What I like the most about Nabers is he is someone who can fit any scheme and fit at the next level. I see a combination of Jarvis Landry and Cooper Kupp, just hard nosed football players that know how to win against their coverage and make plays. 

 

Devy Digest Freshman Profile: Kedrick Reescano

by

1200x0

Kedrick Reescano

School: Ole Miss Rebels

Position: Running Back

6'0" 210lbs

4*Running Back in the composites

High School: New Caney High

Devy Digest Freshman Profile: Kedrick Reescano

 

Who is Kedrick Reescano?

 

Reescano attended New Caney High in Texas, where he was a dual sport athlete who competed in track and field. Reescano had a decorated career on the football field, compiling over 5,000 all purpose yards and 68 rushing touchdowns. As a senior, Reescano had over 1,800 rushing yards, 31 rushing touchdowns with 17 receptions, 4 of those went for touchdowns. Reescano held offers from Michigan State, Penn State, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Mississippi State and other schools. Reescano originally committed to Michigan State but withdrew from that commitment to formally commit to Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin attended High School games of Reescano and recruited him personally. Kiffin did the same, with current Ole Miss star Quinshon Judkins.

 

Pathway to success

 

We have seen running back duo's compliment one another without cannibalizing one another's value. Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida are a few schools who currently have a duo where both backs from each school have sustained value. Quinshon Judkins was a workhorse as a true freshman last year, one would imagine Lane Kiffin would want to ease that load and utilize Reescano. Reescano is a 3 down back with over 40 receptions in high school, it's conceivable that Reescano could take 3rd down work to alleviate the load from Judkins and then eventually earn a timeshare. 

 

Improvements/Concerns

 

I don't have concerns with his vision, pass catching ability, running in between tackles, or speed. Pass protection and usage are the only ones I have. With most backs out of High School, we really don't know about fheir willingness to take on pass rushers. Quinshon Judkins had a great Freshman season and will always be the alpha in that room, if he declares after his Junior season, Reescano should be in line to be the lead back. Will Reescano be patient enough to wait his turn or will he head somewhere else and put himself into the transfer portal? Reescano would essentially have one year to be the featured back, unless he returns for his Senior season which we have a negative connotation regarding running backs who don't declare early.

 

Freshman Outlook

 

We're looking for an eventual timeshare, we're looking for Reescano to secure the RB2 spot and spill Judkins and be used in the passing game on 3rd downs. While Judkins was utilized in the passing game in the Spring game, Reescano is the natural pass catcher and we would like to see him take that role and be the guy up when Judkins is taken out.

 

NFL Outlook

 

Reescano really does have the 3 down package we look for and has good size. His soft hands will garner interest, but we're at a time where running backs aren't being valued. Day 2 draft capital is a win for the position and of things fall into place, we can see that from Reescano.

Devy Digest: Malik Nabers

by

Devy Digest: Malik Nabers

malik-nabers-lsu-carrying-weapon-022323-2-a6504e70d82f481585a6a92ead121b64

School: LSU

6'1" 201lbs

Age: 20

Pos: Wide Receiver 

Draft Eligible: 2024

Who is Malik Nabers?

Nabers was a 4* in the composites and attended Ovey Comeaux High before transferring to Southside High for his Senior season where he was unable to play football due to his waiver request being denied. During his time in High School, Nabers was a three sport athlete who also played Basketball, and Track And Field. Due to missing his Senior season in High School, Nabers came to LSU rusty and needing to play catch up, and it showed. He had a sluggish Freshman season with concentration drops. Nabers was used primarily out of the slot and poor quarterback play, didn't help him out. As a Sophomore, Nabers earned a starting spot opposite of the incumbent alpha, Kayshon Boutte. What we saw under first year coach Brian Kelly was Nabers overtaking the wide receiver room and blossomed in front of our eyes playing outside and not just in the slot. Jayden Daniels had an up and down year and his accuracy was not very good but Nabers was able to command targets and produced as a top tier wide receiver. Nabers capped off the 2022 season in the SEC championship game against Georgia where he exposed a truly elite defensive, going 5/128/1 and then topped that in the Citrus Bowl going 9/103/1 and being named the Citrus Bowl MVP.

 

Advance Metrics courtesy of Campus 2 Canton

 

I project Nabers to take a big step forward this year, and why he is my wide receiver 2 for the 2024 class.

 

2023 Outlook

Nabers returns as the clear alpha in the room and the rapport with Jayden Daniels should improve. We saw in the spring game, the very first play Daniels connected with Nabers for a touchdown in a goal to go situation. Nabers commanded a 24% target share last year when Kayshon Boutte was supposed to be the go to guy, this year Nabers doesn't have any real competition in the room. While LSU has a very talented wide receiving group, it's unproven and young. Kyren Lacy and Brian Thomas appear to be the guys opposite Nabers in a 3 wide set and Aaron Anderson is an Alabama transfer whom was a highly recruited receiver our of Louisiana and is a redshirt Freshman. LSU has a trio of true Freshman receivers that come in with hype, Shelton Sampson Jr, Jalen Brown, and Kyle Parker. It's a deep receiving room but one that lacks a target getter that would hinder Nabers. Lacy had a good spring but is a different type of player than Nabers is and should only compliment Nabers to prevent the secondary from shading coverage his way. A 30+% target share is within the range of outcomes and the volume that we could see, will only boost Nabers.

 

Strengths

Nabers has a great release package to avoid getting jammed at the line of scrimmage. Nabers is a tough, physical wide receiver and is an excellent route runner that uses his footwork as well as his physicality to win. Nabers tracks the ball very well and has strong hands to bring down 50/50 jump balls. Nabers has a great feel for the game and has great body control and uses his frame to show his quarterback a clean target to throw at. Because of the combination of physicality and refined route running, Nabers can be used out wide or in the slot as he can beat press coverage and zone. 

 

Improvements/Concerns

I'd like to see Nabers be used more as a red zone target, he only had 3 touchdowns last year. Nabers has adequate size and has the toughness and ball tracking that you want in a receiver in the red zone. Quarterback play is another concern. Jayden Daniels didn't help Nabers at all and we can only hope another year together, they can build better rapport and Daniels can get the ball to Nabers with better accuracy.

 

Devy Value

Nabers is my wide receiver 2 of the 2024 draft class and he is a buy. The 24 draft tier is Marvin Harrison Jr, slight drop to Nabers and Egbuka, then a big drop off to the wide receiver 4-8. I'm buying Nabers all day.

 

NFL Outlook

Day 1 draft capital, with a floor of day 2. Nabers is my wide receiver 2 for the 2024 class. While I understand why most have Egbuka as their WR2, to me Nabers is the guy I want. What I like the most about Nabers is he is someone who can fit any scheme and fit at the next level. I see a combination of Jarvis Landry and Cooper Kupp, just hard nosed football players that know how to win against their coverage and make plays. 

 

Devy Digest: Damien Martinez

by

damien-martinez

 

Damien Martinez

School: Oregon State

Pos: Running Back

6'1" 216lbs

Age: 19

Draft Eligible: 2025

 

Who is Damien Martinez?

Martinez was a 3* in the composites and attended Lewisville in Texas where he was a dual sport athlete as he also put time in track and field. Martinez rushed for over 4,300 yards and 66 touchdowns while at Lewisville High. He chose to attend Oregon State and held offers from Kansas, San Diego State and Georgia Tech. Martinez broke out as a true Freshman for Oregon State and earned honors of Pac-12 Freshman of the year. Martinez heads into his true Sophomore season looking to capitalize off a productive Freshman season.

 

Advance Metrics courtesy of Campus 2 Canton

 

I wanted to compare metrics against other elite running backs who were freshmen or sophomores last year. These show the efficiency Martinez had on arguably the worst team of the running backs I ran the data points against.

2023 Outlook

 

Martinez gets a new quarterback as Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei becomes the starter for the upcoming season. Martinez closed out his Freshman season with 982 yards with 7 touchdowns and 6.1 yards per carry. Great efficiency from the Freshman. One would imagine Martinez gets a higher workload as he showed to be more efficient than his running mates in Deshaun Fenwick and Jamious Griffin.

 

Strengths

 

Martinez is a decisive runner, with good vision. Martinez finds the open lane and makes his cut and powers through. He isn't easy to get down and has good size. Even with his track background, he isn't a runner who bounces out his runs. Martinez is more of a battering ram, he'll bounce off defenders to gain additional yards. What I enjoyed while watching his tape is his legs are always moving, trying to gain additional yards and refusing to go down when the first defender grabs him. 

 

Improvements/Concerns

 

At this stage of his game, he is a pure runner. Martinez only had 4 catches all year long. It could be a scheme issue but we'd like to see him triple, if not quadruple that number this year and see him handle dump offs. With Uiagalelei as the quarterback, he does often check down. More receiving work is in the range of outcomes. While watching his tape, he is a straight line runner, he will chose to run over a defender instead of making him miss, it's a sign of a tight hipped runner and there are concerns of how well he will test based on what I've seen on tape.

 

Devy Value

 

He is a hold at cost right now. What he did as a freshman was great and the team around him this year is unknown, with more receiving work, we can see a boom in his value. He'll get a bigger work load and base off that his value will hold, if not enhance. I wouldn't categorize him as a buy, just because of the offense around him and question marks with game script.

 

NFL Outlook

 

His testing will be interesting and his hands are a question mark, but watching his tape, it's hard not to see a young Marshawn Lynch. Someone with good vision, makes one cut and goes, always has his feet moving to gain additional yards and someone who is hard to bring down at first contact. Running backs are being devalued and they get pushed down because of it. I can see end of day 2 draft capital, possibly early day 3 if he doesn't get pass work the next two years. 

 

Devy Digest: Freshman Profile: Cameron Seldon

by

11726264

 

School: Tennessee
6'2" 222lbs
Age: 18
Pos: RB
Draft Eligible: 2026

Who is Cameron Seldon?

 

Cameron Seldon attended Northumberland High in Virginia and was the 3rd ranked athlete and a composite 4*. Seldon was also a track athlete and ran 100 meters in 10.74. He also competed in 200 meters, high jump, long jump and triple jump. While watching his High School tape, the game plan was clear. Get Seldon the ball in space and let him create. He lined up as a receiver, quarterback and running back. While he ran routes, his impact plays were bubble screens to get him the ball and let him create. He used his athleticism to make play after play. He wasn't facing the toughest competition, which makes it a tough evaluation. He's a decent route runner, and as a running back he made plays by being bigger, faster and stronger. Because of that, he is a raw athlete coming to Knoxville and from early indication, Seldon has thrived on coaching and Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel has talked him up on several occasions including stating he will be a far better runner in the fall than he was in the spring and stating he has a high ceiling and his receiving skill makes him a unique asset. It appears Heupel is molding Seldon into a weapon that he will utilize for the next few years. Seldon has the size, athletic traits, and receiving background to make us think he can be a Raheim Sanders.

 

 

Pathway to success

Tennessee is a friendly offense to athletes and that's exactly what Seldon is. Heupel utilizes the strength of his players and showcases that. Seldon should be used in ways that will get him open, where he can create in the open field. He probably won't be asked to run in between tackles much as they have Jaylen Wright for that. Expectations to begin the first quarter of the season are specialized package plays and for Seldon to get involved during blowouts. As Seldon gains trust with the coaching staff, one would imagine he'll be a key weapon during the SEC portion of their schedule.

 

Improvements/Concerns

Seldon is essentially a converted big slot to a running back. While he lined up in the backfield in high school, a lot times it was pitches to get him the ball in open space and let him use his athletic abilities. We need to see more in between the tackles. Seldon has always been the superior athlete on the field, it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to other similar athletes when he gets on the field. 

 

 

Freshman Outlook

In the spring game, Heupel utilized him in different ways, totaling 10 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown to go along with 3 catches for 45 yards. Afterwards, Heupel talked him up to the media. It could be coach fluff but how he was used, shows what we could see later on this season. The Tennessee backfield is muddied with no clear standout. Seldon has every opportunity to seize a decent role by the middle of the season. Tennessee loses its top two receivers and Seldon with a receiving background could be used in open space to get the ball and make a play. Seldon is still learning the nuances of the running back position, to expect a large workload wouldn't be prudent but small packages that develop into a timeshare as a Freshman will be a win.

 

NFL Outlook

Late day 1 draft capital is in the range of outcomes. The NFL has devalued the running back position, but they love weapons that can be utilized in different ways and that is exactly what Seldon is. He should test well, which will enhance his stock. If he ends up with an NFL offensive coordinator that isn't afraid to think outside of the box, Seldon can become a better version of Deebo Samuel.