Welcome to “I Got 5 On It”, each week I’ll be picking five news-worthy subjects based around college football to cover. Ranging from views on Devy prospects, general college football talk, interesting stats, and a little bit of hip-hop music mixed in now and then.
1. Sophomore Breakout Receivers
Thaiu Jones-Bell or Javon Baker, Alabama: With the departures of Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, somebody outside of John Metchie has to step up. I’m not convinced that one of Alabama’s incoming freshmen is the answer this year. In 2022 sure, but I’m expecting somebody who was on the team in 2020 to make their mark. Jones-Bell is a former top 20 receiver recruit and saw action in three games in 2020. Baker was ranked much lower but appeared in nine games this past Fall. Baker saw the most snaps out of all of Alabama’s rotational receivers in 2020. Neither Jones-Bell nor Baker are sexy names compared to the shining lights of the true freshman that are incoming. Either could be had very cheaply and at least one will play a major role in 2021.
Malachi Wideman, Tennessee: Wideman appeared in six games in 2020 but the needle is pointing up as UT welcomes in a MUCH more receiver-friendly offense. Wideman was ranked as the 22nd overall receiver. He’s listed at 6’4” and 195 lbs, and his size greatly aids him on the field. Wideman is considered a blue-chip basketball recruit as well. He plans to play both sports in college which could be a slight hindrance to his football development because he is very raw as a receiver. On the field, he has tremendous size and athletic ability. He can outleap high school defenders and dominate 50/50 balls. He has the potential makings of another Tamorrion Terry.
Josh Downs, North Carolina: No offense seems to be losing more statistically than the Tar Heels. Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome have terrorized ACC defenses for the past two seasons. Now is the time for the uber-athletic Downs to step in. Downs ran a 4.47 and had over a 41” vertical prior to entering UNC. While on the smaller side (5’10” and 180lbs, most likely a bit fabricated), Downs is an electric player with plenty of opportunity for the taking.
Mookie Cooper, Missouri: Former Ohio State Buckeye, Cooper appears to be already running with the 1’s for the Tigers after Spring Practice. Cooper is similar to Downs with his stature and play-making abilities. Also versatile enough to line up in the backfield.
Others: Jordan Johnson, Notre Dame…AJ Henning, Michigan…Zavier Betts, Nebraska…Chimere Dike, Wisconsin…Daniel Jackson, Minnesota…Troy Omeire, Texas…Koy Moore, LSU…Jay Maclin, Missouri
2. Chris Tyree
Tyree rolls into his second season with the Irish as Kyren Williams’ clear backup. In 2020, Williams accounted for 58% of the Irish’s RB carries to Tyree’s 20%. I expect that number to be a tad bit closer in 2021. Also, take into account that Ian Book accounted for over 110 rushing attempts that are now vacated. After one Spring Practice, there was already plenty of talk of Tyree earning himself a much bigger role in 2021. Even talk about both backs seeing the field at the same time. Both Tyree and Williams have had experience playing receiver in high school. Tyree is one of the fastest players in the country. He won the fastest man at the Nike Opening Finals in back-to-back years. Tyree is shown to be a much more physical runner than expected from the speedster. While he’s no Najee Harris with his physicality, it was much improved from his high school film. Williams is still Notre Dame’s clear-cut RB1 but Tyree is forcing himself into a bigger workload in 2021. Kyren Williams is currently being drafted in the early to mid 2nd round in CFF Mock Drafts, at that cost I’m going to pass on drafting Kyren with Tyree looming behind him.
3. C2C Mock Draft
I recently completed a C2C Mock Draft, where surprisingly, I leaned CFF producer-heavy. In this particular 15 round mock, nobody else seemed to care to deviate away from Devy prospects. Nine of my fifteen selections are currently being selected in the first round or middle second round of CFF Mock Drafts at the moment (Malik Willis, Matt Corral, Sincere McCormick, Mo Ibrahim, Kevin Marks, Kayshon Boutte, Khalil Shakir, Reggie Roberson, and Calvin Austin). I was even able to snag the potential TE1 in CFF, Cole Turner, as the last pick in the draft. Needless to say, my competition on the CFF side would be few and far between. Kevin Marks is consistently being drafted in the Top 5 in CFF Mocks and I grabbed him at 132nd! I seriously tried to let somebody take him in this mock to see if he would even get drafted but there he sat in the 11th round so I had to grab him. The prospects drafted in front of Marks with little to no CFF value and slim chances at ever making an NFL were in the dozens.
Soon we’ll have ADP data for CFF leagues. Compare that data to C2C ADP and aggressively target the CFFers that are afterthoughts in C2C. You don’t have to ignore NFL upside, but only so many guys hit in a Devy draft outside of the first five rounds. Counting on proven CFF producers is much easier to project than that 13th rounder being an NFL producer. Guess what, if my NFL team sucks but I win the CFF title, I still won more money than ten other owners in the league. Imagine grabbing nine of the first 24 picks in your NFL Redraft League this offseason. Good luck to the other 11 drafters in your league.
4. Hurricanes Incoming Running Backs
According to 247Sports Miami (FL) signed the 20th and 21st rated back in the nation with Thad Franklin and Cody Brown. Technically Brown isn’t signed with the Hurricanes after he signed with Tennessee and was granted his release. He won’t officially be a ‘Cane until he enrolls and shows up on campus. Both are very similar backs and I’m not a fan of either.
Thad Franklin: Franklin gets the bragging rights to be the highest-ranked of the two by one slot (Brown actually ranks higher in the composite ranks). As a junior, Franklin rushed for over 2,200 yards and 28 TDs. He actually broke former High School legend Travis Henry’s, Florida state record for rushing yards in a championship game with 328 yards. Over his high school tenure, Franklin ran for over 4,000 yards. While he’s been uber-productive I’m not a fan of his game. Franklin is listed over 215lbs by the recruiting websites, Franklin has college-ready size. He severely lacks speed and agility. Franklin is a plodder and just doesn’t impress me outside of his power and between the tackles running ability.
Coach’s Take:
HC Manny Diaz
“Thad Franklin, running back from Hollywood-Chaminade High School. Thad has been an explosive running back here in Broward County for the last few years. A strong runner, can run through tackles, he’s got good feet to avoid a low tackle, and just a powerful lower-body guy with good feet, good vision, and really has been mowing up yards at Chaminade over the course of his entire career. They have a chance to go finish his career being a state champion just about every year. You see the great vision to get through the hole and then the ability to make a safety miss and take it all the way. The guy runs for as many yards as someone can run for and now it’s his turn to do it for the Miami Hurricanes.”
Cody Brown: Much like Franklin, Brown was a very productive high school back. He rushed for over 1,500 yards each of his final three years for a grand total of 4,791 yards and 57 TDs. Brown signed in December with the Vols but was released from his LOI shortly after UT named its new coaching staff. As along the lines of Franklin, I just don’t see any speed or playmaking ability out of Brown. He’s got a documented 11.68 100-meter time, that’s about half a second slower than any time I’d want from a top 20 back. I honestly can’t recall seeing a slower 4-star rated back in my time viewing high school recruits. If this was the 80’s or 90’s Brown would be a perfect back or even fullback, but he doesn’t fit the mold of a modern back that I want anything to do with.
Coach’sTake:
Former HC Jeremy Pruitt
“Cody’s 5-11, 225. He’s a guy that rushed for over 5,000 yards in his career. That’s hard to do anywhere, but a guy that’s used to having the ball in his hand. He runs behind his pads, really good vision, really good student and a guy that’s been committed to us for a long time and we’re glad we’ve got him.”
I want nothing to do with either back in any format. I just don’t see either having enough speed or juice to successfully transition to an NFL back. Could either have some success as a college back, sure. I don’t see NFL success in either runner’s future, unfortunately.
5. Freshman Spotlight
Moving forward until next Fall, when we have some game action again, I’ll be highlighting an incoming freshman each week in the 5 spot. Let’s take a look at Texas A&M incoming receiver Shadrach Banks.
Banks enters Aggie Land out of North Shore, Texas. Known from last year’s recruiting cycle with TCU SO RB Zachary Evans and incoming FR QB for Auburn Demetris Davis. They’ve produced a number of FBS talents over the last couple of recruiting cycles. Banks capped off his high school career by rushing for over 400 yards 8 TDs and 1,300 yards 13 TDs as a receiver as shortened junior season due to injury. Banks has a thick lower-body, listed at 6’1” and 215lbs, Banks has a running back build. He plays with above-average speed, he’s no blazer but he’s got enough speed to excel in college. He shows good acceleration and is a powerful runner with the ball in his hands. I would expect Banks to be used in routes close to the LOS and given the occasional handoff/sweep to keep him involved in a game. Potential to be a good return man for the Aggies as well. Banks gives me some LaViska Shenault vibes…very similar builds, and playing styles. Physically, I can see Banks contributing as a freshman but in a limited role.
Coach’s Take:
HC Jimbo Fisher
“I think our receivers are going to be great in spring ball. Some of the young guys were pushing guys for playing time. Yulkeith Brown and Shadrach Banks are exciting players, and they should push some guys. It’ll be exciting. So many of our receivers can also play positionless, and that’s very critical for your offense.”
