Devy Fantasy Football – Impact Freshman

By / Devy & College Football / Leave a Comment
devy fantasy football dante moore

 

Being the first person ‘in’ on a prospect is one of the best parts of Devy. It’s one of best ways to accumulate value in the format. It’s also one of the best ways to become a League Winner.

Here are five freshman that have a chance to make an immediate impact for your Devy squads.

Dante Moore
Quarterback UCLA ADP 18

UCLA head coach Chip Kelly has shown no hesitation in putting the ball in the hands of a Freshman QB in the past. Both Marcus Mariota in 2012 and Dorian Thompson-Robinson in 2018 saw significant playing time in their first years on campus under Kelly.

With rumors of unhappiness with his NIL deal, Kelly may turn to the uber talented signal caller early in an attempt to keep Moore committed to the program going forward. Moore has the talent and is the third-ranked quarterback in his draft class.

Rueben Owens
Running Back Texas A&M ADP 45

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher not only has a track record of putting running backs into the NFL, but, he’s done a good job in identifying them early and leaning on them as early as their freshman season.

  • DeVonta Freeman 2011 Florida St
  • Dalvin Cook 2014 Florida St
  • Cam Akers 2017 Florida St
  • Isaiah Spiller 2019 Texas A&M

All four players above saw significant playing time in their Freshman seasons. They also led their respective teams in rushing their Freshman year. They all went on to play in the NFL – with Cook and Freeman having tremendous success as fantasy football assets and Akers flashing early in his career when healthy.

With Fisher also sending last years standout RB De’Von Achane off to the NFL, the door is wide open for the 5☆ Rueben Owens to come in and be the next freshman workhorse for Jimbo.

Zachariah Branch
Wide Receiver USC ADP 24

USC head coach Lincoln Riley has a reputation around college football as being a “quarterback whisperer”. He has a proven track record of getting his starting quarterbacks premium draft capital. Riley doesn’t shy away from featuring first year pass-catchers prominently in his offenses, either.

In 2017 Riley’s Oklahoma squad was paced by a pair of first year players. Those were future first round draft picks Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb. Again in 2020, the Sooners were led by freshman Marvin Mims.

Now in his second year at USC, and with reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams, Riley could again lean on a highly touted first year pass catcher in 5☆ Zachariah Branch.

Branch is an absolutely explosive athlete who has already gained comparisons to All-World receiver Tyreek Hill. While he’s unlikely to lead a deep and talented USC team in receiving, Branch doesn’t need much volume to make a big impact on Saturday’s.

Look for Branch to be a weapon in the return game right away. Add in a couple scripted plays each week and a handful of splash plays throughout the season and Devy managers will be salivating at Branch’s outlook for the future.

These last two players are less about coaching tendencies and much more about the combination of talent and opportunity.

Jaden Greathouse
Wide Receiver Notre Dame ADP 105

Jaden Greathouse exploded on the scene with a monster spring game for The Fighting Irish. Greathouse had 11 receptions for 118 yards in his first game action on campus.

A mega producer at the 6A level of Texas high-school football, Greathouse was a 1st Team All-American as a Sophomore. He helped lead Austin Westlake to a State Championship and No.2 national rank as a Junior.

A big, physical receiver, Greathouse could help fill the void left behind by Michael Mayer. Mayer led the Irish in receiving by a wide margin in 2022.

Notre Dame’s leading returning receiver had just 25 receptions and 361 yards last season. With veteran quarterback Sam Hartman joining Notre Dame via the transfer portal, look for an improved passing attack that could include Greathouse from the start.

Eugene Wilson III
Wide Receiver Florida ADP 114

Florida’s depth chart is barren at the receiver position. Fifth-year player Ricky Pearsall is the only returnee with more than 11 receptions from a year ago.

The Gators are desperate for playmakers. Enter Freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III. The son of former Patriots DB and two-time Superbowl Champion of the same name, Wilson comes to Gainesville with an opportunity to see immediate playing time.

A versatile pass-catcher who can be used in the return game, Wilson’s speed and versatility are his calling cards and should allow him to carve out a role early.

If Wilson can prove to be a factor in Florida’s offense, it will have Devy managers drooling over his potential going forward.

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