With Week 14 of the college football season in the books, our weekly devy stock report reviews the previous week’s action to determine which CFB prospects are on the rise and whose stock took a dip.
Our “Stock Up” list features running back Kennedy Brooks putting the Oklahoma offense on his back and the return of elite Trevor Lawrence just in time for the College Football Playoff. Our “Stock Down” list features a pair of running backs in need of a devy fantasy boost after a couple of disappointing 2019 seasons.
Without further ado, I give you my review of Week 14’s best and worst CFB performances in my weekly devy stock report. Be sure to check back later in the week for my preview of the best fantasy football matchups to watch in Week 15.
CFB Week 14 Devy Stock Report
Stock Up
Standout players that saw their devy stock increase from the previous week include:
Kennedy Brooks
Since losing Trey Sermon to a season-ending knee injury, the Oklahoma Sooners have hitched their wagon to backup running back Kennedy Brooks. The sophomore has rewarded the Sooners’ commitment with four consecutive games over 100 total yards, including a 22-160-1 TD rushing line against rival Oklahoma State in Week 14.
After failing to receive more than ten carries in any of the first seven games of the season, Brooks has averaged over 20 carries in the four contests since Sermon’s injury. Brooks is averaging over seven yards per rush on the season with rushing yardage totals of 160, 149, 93, and 132 since taking over as an every-down player.
Showing the ability to be a three-down player on the next level, Brooks has all the makings of a devy dynasty football prospect worth targeting in early rounds. With Brooks less than 90 yards away from his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the talented running back drafted as early as day two of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Trevor Lawrence
After some early-season struggles with forced interceptions, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is once again showing why he’s one of the best quarterback prospects in recent memory. Lawrence was shaky on a couple of easy throws early against South Carolina, but the sensational sophomore settled down before leading Clemson to a 38-3 victory.
Lawrence finished the Rivalry Week showdown against the Gamecocks completing 26/36 passes for 295 yards and three passing touchdowns. Lawrence has a 30-8 TD/INT ratio on the season with the quarterback’s last interception coming in mid-October. Much like a season ago, Lawrence is playing his best football of the season down the stretch with the future first-round pick sporting a 16-0 TD/INT ratio in the past five contests.
Lawrence is the likely #1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, so naturally, the quarterbacks’ devy fantasy stock is through the roof. With Lawrence possessing franchise-changing ability, you should look to draft Lawrence in the early rounds of devy drafts while you still can.
Stock Down
Disappointing players that saw their devy stock decrease in the previous week:
CJ Verdell
Even with C.J. Verdell approaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark once again, the 2019 season has been a bit of a let-down for the Oregon Ducks running back. Verdell added to his season of disappointment with a 15-30-0 rushing line against rival Oregon State on Saturday. Verdell had three more carries than teammate Travis Dye, yet the sophomore running back was out-gained by 41 yards on the ground.
Verdell rushed for 257 yards against Washington State and 171 against Colorado, but the running back has yet to rush for over 100 yards in any other contest this season. Those two “boom” weeks accounted for 44% of Verdell’s rushing total on the season, while the running back has half the amount of rushing touchdowns as a season ago.
While Verdell entered the season with early-round devy hype, he’s so far failed to live up to those expectations for Oregon coach Mario Cristobal this season. Verdell hasn’t looked special in 2019 despite sharing the backfield with quarterback Justin Herbert while playing behind one of the best offensive lines in college football. The sophomore running back will need to boost his devy stock down the stretch of the season to avoid falling even further down the dynasty league totem pole.
Mohamed Ibrahim
After rushing for 1,160 yards and nine rushing touchdowns as a freshman, Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim was expected to continue that trend in 2019. Instead, Ibrahim has mostly taken a backseat to fellow running back Rodney Smith and the Minnesota passing game.
Ibrahim finished the regular season with less than 500 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, while Smith rushed for over 1,000 yards with eight touchdowns. Neither player has been much of a factor in the passing game.
While the bigger story here is sixth-year senior Smith overcoming injuries to regain his starting position, Ibrahim losing so many carries has to be concerning for his devy stock. Ibrahim saw his carries drop from 202 a season ago to an astronomically low 94 total carries this season. Luckily for Ibrahim, those carries should come back his way next season with Smith in his final season in Minneapolis.
Jordan Woodson is a writer for the Pro Football Network covering Devy and Dynasty Fantasy Football. You can follow him @Jordan_Woodson on Twitter.