This is the first installment of a new series where I will be highlighting guys that should be added to your supplemental draft queues. I will try to lay out some expectations and roughly where I would target the player in the supplemental draft (assuming it’s the standard 15 rounds).
As a devy analyst, I will try to give an honest perspective on their NFL aspirations. You, the reader, need to keep in mind when these articles are written, the players who are partially driven by opportunity could quickly lose that variable with a transfer portal addition. To qualify for this article, they must be rostered in 25% or under in Fantrax leagues. I know some of these guys will be obvious, but I hope to throw in some deeper names for your consideration.
QB Devon Dampier, New Mexico
- 6’0″ / 198 lbs.
- Entering 2nd year
- NFL Projection: It’s not happening
- Rostered: 0.3%
- Supplemental Draft Range: Rounds 10-15
I know y’all read the word “New Mexico” and gave some sort of varying reaction of disgust. Hear me out, Dampier is a true dual-threat QB that’s playing against G5 competition. Dampier has played in nine games with one start. His stats on the year are 40 completions on 63 attempts for 613 yards with 6 TDs and 0 INTs. Dampier is not afraid to challenge the defense downfield with a 12.7 ADoT. And without putting the ball in harm’s way with a 2.6% turnover-worthy throw rate.
On the ground, he rushed 53-348-4 while fumbling the ball twice. He runs like a power back and somehow has 19 missed tackles forced. New Mexico just fired their head coach, and that will always shake things up. The incumbent QB, Dylan Hopkins, is reportedly out of eligibility, according to Fox Sports. New Mexico is not really a hot transfer destination, and I think the chances of transfers playing over him are very low. I believe Dampier can have a Byrum Brown-like rise in the CFF world; add him to the queue.
RB Abu Sama III, Iowa State
- 5’11” / 200 lbs.
- Entering 2nd year
- NFL Projection: Day 2 Candidate
- Rostered: 4%
- Supplemental Draft Range: Top 3 rounds
I know, another no-brainer pick. Sama was destined to be one of the best value picks heading into the supplemental season until he blew up for 16-273-3 during his infamous snow game. His stats are inflated heavily because of that extreme weather game, so here’s how Sama stacked up before the snow game among players with 50+ rush attempts:
- Rushing: 56-334 -3
- 6.0 YPC
- 20 MTF
- 4.84 Yards after contact (3rd among Power 5 RBs)
- Receiving: 6/8-40-0
- Three of his eight targets were beyond the LOS
As of today, the recruiting team is…..skeptical….. about the quality of this year’s freshmen RB class. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sama getting drafted in the second round of supplemental drafts.
As a player, he’s flashed some really nice footwork and holds Iowa’s high school state record in the long jump with a 24’10” jump. Sama’s a verified athlete, and this small sample size of production is very impressive given that Iowa St., as a team, has been falling apart. Fellow RB, Cartevious Norton, has already hit the portal. The Cyclones may just rebuild this offense around Sama. In C2C/Devy/CFF, we all love chasing the helmet, and Sama looks promising to be the next Iowa State RB, following in the footsteps of Breece Hall and David Montgomery. Add him to the queue.
WR Deion Smith, Ole Miss
- 6’4″ / 190 lbs.
- Entering 4th year
- NFL projection: Day 2 hopeful
- Rostered: N/A
- Supplemental Draft Range: Rounds 5+
As of Dec 4th, the portal is officially open, and Smith is back where he belongs, competing in the SEC. Smith was WR9 in the composite as a true freshman and beat four out of the eight Y1Z thresholds. Following a decent true freshman year, he tried transferring to Ole Miss, but academic issues forced him to go the JUCO route.
Smith tore it up with a 48-1,063-12 receiving line with 132 yards/g and 22.1 yards per reception. He’s visited Ole Miss three times this fall and was very vocal about his support to join the team. Lane Kiffin has been the king at finding players in the portal, and there’s an expectation for a large market of the target shares to open at Ole Miss. Recruit pedigree, Y1Z, SEC competition, and opportunity; he’s worth a decent shot at some devy value. Add him to the queue.
