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 the season, 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 Developmental, or “Devy”, and the 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!
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington (Senior)
In one of the biggest games of the year between two teams with playoff aspirations, the 7th and 8th ranked teams in the AP rankings faced off in a duel of Heisman hopefuls. Bo Nix led the 5-0 Oregon Ducks into Washington fresh off of a bye week to take on Penix Jr. and the Huskies, and the game was as exciting as advertised. In the end, the current Heisman frontrunner and college football’s premier passer triumphed in a 36-33 victory for Washington that came down to the final minutes.
While the final stat line might show a quarterback who is slightly above average, it was those who watched the game itself that were able to witness just why Penix Jr. is well on his way to an NFL roster. In a back-and-forth game with seven different lead changes, Washington found themselves down three with the ball on their own 47 with just under two minutes remaining in the game. That was no issue for the Husky star, though, as Penix Jr. put his clutch gene on display for scouts in attendance by first tossing a dart to Ja’Lynn Polk for a huge 35-yard gain before finding his favorite target in Rome Odunze on the very next play for the receivers second score of the night. When it’s all said and done, a completion percentage under 60% isn’t pretty, but Penix Jr. was able to finish the job when it mattered and showed NFL scouts just what they should come to expect from him once he makes it into the league.
Kairee Robinson, RB, San Jose State (Senior)
Senior running backs typically have a hard time making it into the NFL, especially those who weigh in under 200lbs and stand shorter than 5’8. However, when said running backs have a strong pass catching acumen and a nose for the end zone, those chances get noticeably better. Enter Kairee Robinson, the pass-catching, touchdown-scoring diminutive Senior out of San Jose State. Standing 5’7” and at a listed weight just shy of 190lbs, Robinson has the looks of an NFL longshot. His skills are easily translatable though, and his place as a mid-rounder in the 2024 NFL draft could be further solidified in the coming months.
In Week 7, Robinson put a rocket booster on his draft chances, as the tailback shredded NMU for 189 yards from scrimmage with four total touchdowns, bringing his yearly total in the latter category to 11, sixth best across college football. He was able to reach these totals on just 17 total touches (15 carries, 2 receptions), and has scored in each game for the Spartans this season. While he’s not nearly on the same production level as a player like Tarik Cohen in the past, Robinson has the potential to join Cohen as a four-year back who winds up making waves in the NFL.
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State (Sophomore)
Prince Ollie, fabulous he, Ollie Gordon II (I hope my Disney fans enjoyed that one)! With a top 25-team in town in the form of the Kansas Jayhawks, it was the Sophomore tailback for the underdogs that stole the show. After starting the season slowly with just 25 touches across the team’s first three games, Gordon II has come on strong as of late, tallying over 20 touches and 100+ yards in each of the three games since. While he had shown promise over the first two of those outings, it wasn’t until Week 7 that he was able to put it all together for a monster game.
With 5-1 Kansas looking to roll and eyeing a duel with 6th ranked Oklahoma the following week, it was the perfect storm for a trap game, and a trap game it was. In a thrilling 39-32 upset, Gordon II took the reins and rumbled his way to 168 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries on the ground. On top of that phenomenal output, he was able to haul in six passes for another 116 yards and a score through the air, continuously pressuring the Jayhawks defense and setting up more scoring opportunities for the team. His true workhorse abilities wowed the NFL scouts in attendance, and Ollie looks like a future name to know in the NFL.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford (Sophomore)
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
When people woke up on the morning of October 14th, the term “Breakout” had a new photograph next to it in the dictionary, displaying none other than Stanford receiver Elic Ayomanor. From long scoring plays to highlight catches, the 6’2” Sophomore broke into the college spotlight and demolished Colorado in a single night, leading Stanford’s comeback to down the Buffalo’s 46-43 in double OT.
A three-star recruit out of Massachusetts, Ayomanor redshirted his Freshman season with Stanford before latching onto a bigger role in year two. Despite this, he had only managed 207 yards and one touchdown on his 15 catches over the first five weeks of the season. Coming off the team’s bye week, however, Ayomanor took it upon himself to upset a Colorado defense led by superstar Freshman Travis Hunter en route to 294 yards and three touchdowns on 13 receptions, hauling in a 97-yard touchdown to spark the teams’ 29-point comeback and putting his stamp on the game with the catch of the season matched up with Hunter in the first overtime period (If you haven’t seen it, I implore you to go watch it). When you more than double your career yardage total in a single game, you should instantly jump on any watchlist and onto every NFL teams scouting board.
Devontez “Tez” Walker, WR, UNC (Junior)
The return of the prodigal son. The former Kent State star receiver made waves last winter after transferring to UNC, his second transfer of his college career after moving from North Carolina Central following the cancellation of the 2020 season due to Covid. Not long after, Walker found himself fighting for his comeback with the NCAA when the association deemed him ineligible for the 2023 season due to his two prior transfers. Following months of fighting and hard work, Tez made his debut in Week 6 with a quiet 43 yards on six catches. The very next week, he showed why college football missed him.
A playmaking speed threat through and through, Walker has always been able to make quick work of defenses with his ball skills and verticality. These talents were on full display against Top-25 ranked Miami, as Walker hauled in three touchdowns on just six receptions on a night where nobody could touch him. He quickly ripped off an 18-yard score in the first quarter before tacking on 56- and 33-yarders early in the third quarter to shut down Miami’s chances at an upset. Tez Walker has a tough path ahead as he looks to make up for lost time and faces stiff competition for draft slotting in the 2024 Draft, but playmakers like him don’t come around often. Look for Walker to be a starter somewhere in the league sooner rather than later regardless of where he is eventually selected.
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By Trenton Roberts
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.