Welcome to The Broto “Devy Dives” series, where once a week we take a look at some of the biggest names and breakouts in College Football. Throughout this series, we will take an in-depth look at five players who either shone bright or failed to make an impact in the weekly slate of games. With the Devy and Dynasty Fantasy Football communities becoming more and more popular, this short read is your one-stop-shop for weekly updates on some players you need to keep your eye on!
Tanner Mordecai, QB, SMU (R-Junior)
SMU Athletics
Did you honestly expect anyone else to hold this spot? I know many of you who read this segment on a weekly basis are sick of hearing the Mustang’s quarterback’s name over the past few days but he deserves all of the praise he has received and much more after winning the shootout of the year against Houston. The game finished with an unbelievable score of 77-63. For those who do not know, Mordecai obliterated a SMU and ACC record in this game, finishing with a 28-of-37 line for 379 yards and nine – yes, NINE – passing touchdowns, with a NCAA-record tying seven coming in the first half alone.
In one of the greatest barn-burning first halves in collegiate history, the two teams combined for a whopping thirteen scores in sixteen first half possessions. Mordecai absolutely took over the game in the second quarter, over which period he threw for four of his touchdowns while adding a two-yard touchdown run to give SMU a 21-point lead heading into the break. While Mordecai hasn’t been on too many scouting radars recently, this performance might push him into day-three consideration and a spot as a backup quarterback in the NFL, with upside to perform if the cards fall right.
Devin Neal, RB, Kansas (Sophomore)
Jayhawks Sophomore running back Devin Neal just put on one of the greatest all-around performances of the season this past weekend to help Kansas take down Oklahoma State 37-16. On the strength of his rushing performance alone, Neal did enough to make this list, cruising for 224 yards and a touchdown on 32 attempts. It was quite the breakout in that regard, as it was just the second time in his career that he went over 110 yards on the ground in a game.
Funny enough, 110 yards is also the total Neal put up in the receiving department on Saturday, leading all players in receiving yardage and doubling his season total with six receptions in the game. Neals 334 yards from scrimmage (unsurprisingly) set a career high for the young back and this type of multi-faceted game will push him onto NFL radars once he declares in a few seasons. For now, he will look to keep rolling along and propelling the Kansas offense towards bowl eligibility.
Edward Saydee, RB, Temple (R-Sophomore)
Cody Glenn/Getty Images
As I mentioned above, receiving skills tend to propel a running back’s draft stock higher than those who lack the ability, a point which is being proven recently by Temple back Edward Saydee. In fact, over his past three outings, Saydee has broken out in the passing game, hauling in five, six and four receptions in each of those outings, respectively. While this development for Saydee is certainly helping him make a name for himself in draft circles, he needed a breakout performance on the ground to cement his spot as a legitimate prospect.
Against Southern Florida in Week 10, that is exactly what the young Temple back did, thrashing the hapless Bulls on the ground to the tune of 265 yards and three touchdowns on just 24 carries, propelling the then 2-6 Owls to a 54-28 victory. The explosive rusher’s receiving output brought his overall total to 334 yards on the evening, oddly enough matching the aforementioned Neal in that regard and etching his name into scouting notebooks.
Tre Harris, WR, LA Tech (Junior)
Perhaps his stat-line, while still good, doesn’t quite necessitate an inclusion on this list. After all, seven receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns don’t exactly match up to some of the bigger performances we’ve seen recently from receivers on this list. What does place him on the list is a two-play stint in which the gifted athlete stunned even the opposing MTSU coaches with back-to-back phenomenal one-handed receptions.
Ever since Odell Beckham Jr. stepped onto the collegiate landscape, and even more so following his rooking campaign with the Giants in which he made “the catch”, one-handed snags have become more and more commonplace in college football. Late in the second quarter, Harris shot his big right mitt up into the air for a short gain, before following it up with a phenomenal sideline catch over a defender a play later for a 20-yard pickup. Harris eventually found the end-zone with just over a minute left in the half, giving LA Tech a 27-14 lead at the time and showing scouts that he might have what it takes to be the next WOW receiver at the next level.
Puka Nacua, WR, BYU (Senior)
KSL Sports
Sorry, please don’t ask me how to pronounce this name. Not because he doesn’t deserve to hear his named shouted out following his performance over the weekend but rather for the fact that I simply don’t want to butcher it. Nacua deserves the praise, however, so I will continue to type out his name rather than speaking it following his dominant performance against Boise State’s vaunted secondary on Saturday.
Before you get all riled up, I am aware that Nacua’s yardage total matches that of Tre Harris above, who I had mentioned only put up great-but-not-insane numbers. However, Nacua doubled Harris’ reception total, with fourteen catches in BYU’s upset of the then 6-2 Broncos. Nacua was unguardable for much of the afternoon, eventually capping off his performance with a game-winning 6-yard touchdown with under two minutes to play to give BYU the last laugh, emerging victorious in a 31-28 battle. Nacua needs to start seeing more love in the scouting community, as his polished game and consistency will help a team at the next level.
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By Trenton Roberts
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.