The Devy Bugle

By Tommy Harvey

The Covid-19 College Football season has begun for most of the country, with several more conferences set to start up in the near future.  Many players have opted out of the 2020 season, in order to focus on the 2021 NFL Draft.  With that being said, that opens up opportunities for others to showcase their talents.  Several of those players have really stepped up and have proven themselves to be worthy of being in the Devy conversation.  Everybody knows about the top guys like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Najee Harris, Chuba Hubbard, Ja'Marr Chase, and Travis Etienne, but there have been many others that need to be discussed as well.  Here are some of the top performers you need to know about from around the country thus far.

Quarterback

KJ Costello (SR) - Mississippi State; 6'5" 225lbs

The grad transfer from Stanford showed up and showed out in his first game for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.  Costello led his new team to an upset victory over the defending National Champion LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge and set a conference record for single game passing yards along the way.   With 623 yards and 5 TDs, Costello arrived in the toughest conference in the country and verified why HC Mike Leach brought him to Starkville.

D'Eriq King (SR) - Miami; 5'11" 203lbs

Another grad transfer, King has been great for the Hurricanes.  Through 3 games, the Houston transfer has been highly efficient, completing 67% of his passes for 733 yards for 6 TDs and 0 INTs.  The dual threat QB has also ran for 157 yards and 1 TD.

Sam Howell (SO) - North Carolina; 6'1" 225lbs

The Tar Heels have only played 1 game thanks to Covid-19, but Howell showed why he is one of the top QBs in the country.  In the victory over Syracuse, Howell had 295 yards, while completing 73.5% of his passes.

Spencer Rattler (RS-FR) - Oklahoma; 6'1" 205lbs

Spencer Rattler has been an intriguing prospect for several years now, dating back to his high school days.  The former 5* QB has stepped into the Oklahoma offense and has continued what Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts began.  In 2 games, Rattler has completed 76% of his passes for 677 yards and 8 TDs.

Kyle Trask (SR) - Florida; 6'5" 239lbs

Trask opened up his 2020 season with 416 yards passing and 6 TDs in a shootout against Ole Miss.  Trask will shoot up draft boards, as Florida will need him to continue with this type of production.

Honorable Mention: Matt Corral (Mississippi), Mac Jones (Alabama), Sam Ehlinger (Texas)

Running Back

Breece Hall (SO) - Iowa State; 6'1" 215lbs

Hall will be one of...if not the top RB taken in the 2022 NFL Draft.  The Cyclone RB has started his Sophomore season with 257 yards rushing on 38 carries and 4 TDs in 2 games.  Continue to monitor Hall and look to draft or trade for him in your Devy leagues.

Kylin Hill (SR) - Mississippi State; 5'11" 209lbs

In 2019, Hill ran for 1,350 yards for the Bulldogs, showing to be one of the best RBs in the country.  This season, Hill is having to adjust to a Mike Leach offense that will have him being more of a receiving threat out of the backfield.  Hill only ran for 34 yards on 7 carries, but caught 8 passes for 158 yards and 1 TD.

Seth McGowan (FR) - Oklahoma; 5'11" 216lbs

McGowan has stepped up in the absence of Kennedy Brooks, who opted out of the 2020 season.  Through 2 games, the Freshman RB has ran for 134 yards and 2 TDs on 22 carries.  Look for McGowan to continue to produce in a high octane offense.  He will grow into being one the best RBs in the country over the next few years.

Honorable Mention: Eric Gray (Tennessee), Jerrion Ealy (Mississippi), Javian Hawkins (Louisville), Keaontay Ingram (Texas), Zamir White (Georgia)

Wide Receiver 

Jaylen Waddle (JR) - Alabama; 5'10" 183lbs

Waddle opened up his 2020 season with a monster 1st half against Missouri.  Totaling 8 catches for 134 yards and 2 TDs, most of that production came in the 1st half, as the Crimson Tide steamrolled Missouri on the road.  Waddle is on his way to being the 2nd WR taken in the 2021 NFL Draft behind LSU's Ja'Marr Chase.

Seth Williams (JR) - Auburn; 6'3" 212lbs

Williams dominated Kentucky with 6 receptions for 112 yards and 2 TDs in the 1st game of the season for Auburn.  Williams is will continue to build on his 2019 Sophomore season when he hauled in 59 catches for 830 yards and 8 TDs.  With his size and skill set, he should be one the top WRs taken in the 2021 Draft.

Tylan Wallace (SR) - Oklahoma State; 6'0" 190lbs

Wallace has been very consistent during his time in Stillwater, as he has 16.9 ypc, 17.3 ypc, 17.0 ypc, and 17.2 ypc in his 4 seasons.  Wallace is a big time weapon for Oklahoma State, pairing with RB Chuba Hubbard.

Elijah Moore (JR) - Mississippi; 5'9" 185lbs

Moore is undersized, but highly productive.  In Ole Miss' 1st game against Florida, Moore exploded for 10 receptions and 227 yards.  The Junior WR was the Rebel's top WR in 2019 as well, going for 67 receptions, 850 yards, and 6 TDs.

Honorable Mention: Shi Smith (South Carolina), Dyami Brown (North Carolina), Devonta Smith (Alabama), Terrace Marshall (LSU), Austin Watkins (UAB)

Tight End

Kyle Pitts (JR) - Florida; 6'6" 240lbs

Pitts could likely be the TE1 when it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft.  He is a tall, speedy matchup nightmare for defenses.  Pitts opened up his 2020 season with 8 catches, 170 yards, and 4 TDs in a win over Mississippi.

Brevin Jordan (JR) - Miami; 6'3" 245lbs

Jordan is another fighting to be the top TE off the board in the 2021 Draft.  As D'Eriq King's top target, Jordan will continue to put up massive numbers for the Hurricanes.  Through 2 games, Jordan has 15 receptions, 212 yards, and 3 TDs.

Honorable Mention: Arik Gilbert (LSU), Darnell Washington (Georgia), Charlie Kolar (Iowa State)