It’s here the day that affects your Devy Outlook- National Signing Day! In a normal year, National Signing Day is an odd football tradition. Massive college programs fight it out to secure the commitment of 18-year-old high school kids. As a result, those same high school athletes suddenly garner national media attention essentially while they decide what hat to put on.
This year had an added sense of the bizarre. A lack of school visits, and socially distanced announcements took centre stage. For Devy owners, Signing Day is akin to Christmas morning. They search the internet for confirmation of where the top prospects land. As well as starting to plot how to add these incoming freshmen to their Devy rosters. This year is no different with a host of incoming players set to have a major devy impact in years to come.
Devy Outlook: National Signing Day- Alabama
Alabama had a spectacular year with their 2021 class ranking as the No. 1 recruiting class of all time! Nick Saban has already established his reputation as a college dynasty builder. This year will only add to that legacy. Devy guys to watch include the country’s number 2 running back, Camar Wheaton, and no less than four top 10 receivers. Including Jacorey Brooks, JoJo Earle, Christian Leary and Agile Hall. The challenge with Alabama is, as always how and when these guys break into a depth chart already chocked full of talent.
Devy Outlook: National Signing Day- Ohio State
Ohio State came away with an impressive haul. 4 Star Quarterback Kyle McCord out of St Joseph’s High School in Philadelphia looks destined for stardom. Hopewell running back TreVeyon Henderson will vault straight into the top 10 devy rankings of most observers and Washington native Emeka Egbuka is an intriguing wide receiver option. Clemson beat out Notre Dame to grab 5 star runner Will Shipley, who offers elite athleticism and could find himself replacing Travis Etienne sooner rather than later while Texas A&M secured the services of 4 star back LJ Johnson despite a strong push by Texas.
Devy Outlook: National Signing Day- Others
After a strong on field year The Irish delivered their best recruiting class in years. Dual threat Quarterback Tyler Buchner and wide receivers Deion Colzie and Lorenzo Styles Jr. are players to watch for Devy owners.
Devy Outlook: National Signing Day- QB
There are a handful of intriguing Quarterbacks if you’re looking for Superflex options. Oklahoma landed the top QB in the class, 5 star Caleb Williams out of Washington DC, despite lacking elite size landing with Lincoln Riley creates a clear glide path to the NFL.
The Sooners’ first choice appeared to be Brock Vandagriff. But he jilted them late in the process to sign with Georgia. With JT Daniels headed for the NFL in 2022, Vandagriff looks like the Bulldogs starter for the next few years. Other names to watch include Ty Thompson at Oregon, Sam Huard in Washington, and Drake Maye who landed in North Carolina.
Devy Outlook: National Signing Day- RB
After Wheaton, Shipley, and Johnson the running back class looks like it will take time to develop. Donovan Edwards looked like a great prospect but landing in the skill position graveyard of Michigan doesn’t bode well. LSU grabbed a pair of top 300 talents in Armoni Goodwin and Corey Kiner. Well worth watching in the years ahead of the backfield confusion in the Bayou works its way out. Some strange landing spots have likely dropped the Devy outlook for some interesting prospects like Trevion Cooley who signed with Louiseville, Alston McCaskill who landed, and Houston and Baylor signee Jordan Jenkins.
Devy Outlook: National Signing Day- Receivers
Despite the Crimson Tide grabbing a huge chunk of the top receivers it’s worth keeping an eye on Billy Bowman, who’ll likely be a receiver at Oklahoma, Troy Franklin who signed with the Oregon Ducks and Brian Thomas who finally signed with the LSU Tigers.
Finally, if you are keen to add a Tight End then makes sure you grab a hold of Nebraska’s Thomas Fidone. The 6’5”, Iowa native is far and away the best tight end prospect in this year’s class and may even have an impact as a freshman. Projecting tight ends for Devy is tough but it’s worth getting in on the ground floor with Fidone.
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