The summer camp buzz is building, and for Devy dynasty managers, it’s prime time to refine your RB rankings. Forget just raw talent; elite Devy RBs combine NFL-caliber traits with immediate college opportunity to dominate touches and build draft stock. This list prioritizes players poised for massive 2025 seasons, considering their athletic profiles, projected workload, and development trajectory. Target these backs to build a championship-caliber Devy roster.
1. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame, Junior)
NFL Traits: Elite burst, game-breaking speed (4.44 40), electric shiftiness, advanced contact balance, smooth receiver (28 rec in ’24), improving pass pro. True three-down potential with home-run ability on every touch.
College Opportunity: The undisputed RB1 for a national championship contender. Notre Dame boasts an elite offensive line and features him heavily as a runner, receiver, and even in the slot. Expect 250+ touches.
2025 Outlook: Primed for a Heisman run. Needs 300+ touches and 2,250+ total yards/25+ TDs to solidify that. Coming off minor injuries but fully healthy for camp. The system and talent align perfectly for a monster year.
NFL Traits: Excellent size (6-1/226), reliable pass-catcher (78 rec career), good vision, fluid change of direction, strong body control, homerun threat (42.9% breakaway run chance in ’24). Proven production against top competition.
College Opportunity: Returns as the co-lead back in a formidable 1A/1B tandem in a run-heavy Penn State offense. Avoided a loaded ’24 RB draft class; now the top senior RB prospect for 2026. Expect bell-cow volume (250+ carries likely).
2025 Outlook: Poised to dominate the Big Ten. Already has 2,912 career rushing yards and 40 TDs. Needs to showcase receiving chops consistently. A safe, high-floor producer with significant upside.
Devy Upside: Top 3 RB in the 2026 class. Projects as a Day 1 or 2 NFL pick with immediate fantasy relevance potential.
NFL Traits: Strong vision, exceptional contact balance, powerful one-cut runner, reliable hands (17 rec in limited ’24 role). Built for volume (5-11/210). High football IQ.
College Opportunity: Transfers into a perfect situation. Michigan lost both Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. Haynes is the projected co-lead back for a program that always features a dominant run game. Path to 200+ carries.
2025 Outlook: Breakout candidate. Showed efficiency at Bama (6.58 YPC on 79 carries) but lacked volume. Now the man in Ann Arbor. Impressed in spring. Expect a massive jump in production.
Devy Upside: Could skyrocket into 1st round conversation with a big year. Prototypical NFL RB build and skillset in a run-centric scheme.
4. Darius Taylor (Minnesota, Junior)
NFL Traits: Elite versatility. Led all Power Two RBs with 54 receptions in 2024. Combines power and finesse, good vision (especially cutbacks), quick feet, solid speed. True workhorse potential. (Scout Note: “Makes cuts in milliseconds”).
College Opportunity: The undisputed centerpiece of Minnesota’s offense under P.J. Fleck. With backfield mates departing via portal, his workload (259 touches in ’24) is secure. Scheme is built around his skills.
2025 Outlook: Aiming for 1,500+ scrimmage yards. His receiving volume gives him an elite PPR Devy floor. Tier 1 Big Ten RB.
Devy Upside: High-floor PPR asset. Needs to show top-end breakaway speed to cement early-round NFL status, but production profile is excellent.
5. Richard Young (Alabama, Sophomore)
NFL Traits: Explosive burst through gaps, strong open-field vision, physical running style, ability to grind extra yards. Track background shows in acceleration.
College Opportunity: Path wide open for RB2 role behind Jam Miller. Justice Haynes transferred out, leaving Young as the clear next man up. Jalen Milroe’s departure (168 carries) means more RB touches overall. Kalen DeBoer wants more from RBs.
2025 Outlook: Breakout candidate. Flashed potential in limited ’24 work (5.4 YPC, 62-yard run). Needs consistency and to seize the #2 job. Could see 150+ carries if he develops as expected.
Devy Upside: High-ceiling stash. A strong season could launch him into the 2027 RB1 conversation. Alabama pedigree matters.
6. Cedric Baxter Jr. (Texas, Sophomore)
NFL Traits: Prototype size (6-1/220+), power, underrated burst (54-yard run as freshman). Frame larger than any other Texas RB. Workhorse potential.
College Opportunity: Returns from missing entire 2024 season with a knee injury. Was the presumed starter pre-injury. Enters a crowded but talented backfield (Wisner, Gibson, Niblett, Clark), but his size/power offer a unique element.
2025 Outlook: Major injury return. Health and reclaiming a significant share (potentially lead back duties) are key. Showed promise as a true freshman (659 yards, 5.8 YPC). A wait-and-see with massive upside.
Devy Upside:Could be a steal if he regains pre-injury form and wins the job. Size/speed combo is coveted. 2026 draft eligibility.
7. Nate Frazier (Georgia, Sophomore)
NFL Traits: Explosive playmaker, elite acceleration, good vision, strong contact balance, nose for the end zone (8 TDs as freshman). Added good muscle this offseason.
College Opportunity:Georgia’s leading rusher (671 yards) as a true freshman in 2024. Expected to be the “tip of the spear” for UGA’s offense again. Deep rotation, but he’ll get the lion’s share of impactful carries.
2025 Outlook: Poised for a second-year leap. Improved ball security (a 2024 issue) this spring. With a (hopefully) improved O-line, 1,000 yards is within reach. Needs to develop as a receiver.
Devy Upside: Electric playmaker in a powerhouse offense. Could be a top 3 2027 RB if development continues. SEC production matters.
NFL Traits: Elite track speed (verified), “home run” hitting ability, shiftiness in space. High ceiling athlete.
College Opportunity: Transfers closer to home (Dexter, MI) to WMU for immediate playing time. Escapes Michigan’s RB logjam. WMU’s leading 2024 rusher (Jadon Nixon) was inconsistent. Path to lead role or significant committee share.
2025 Outlook: Breakout candidate finally healthy. Flashed big-play ability in WMU’s spring game (“scored in red zone”, “shiftiness on display”). Needs to prove he can handle consistent FBS workload. High-risk, high-reward.
Devy Upside: Pure athleticism stash. If he stays healthy and earns touches, the upside is immense. A long-term project with exciting tools.
9. Caden Durham (LSU, Sophomore)
NFL Traits: Explosive burst, excellent contact balance, underrated power, reliable hands (28 rec, 9.3 YPR), elite ball security (0 fumbles on 168 touches in ’24). Makes defenders miss.
College Opportunity: Emerged as LSU’s most dynamic weapon in 2024 (1,013 scrimmage yards). Expected to be the focal point of the Tigers’ backfield in 2025. Needs more touches (only 11.7 carries/game in ’24).
2025 Outlook: Poised for stardom if workload increases. Ranked #2 SEC RB by CBS Sports. All-SEC potential with more volume. Minor spring ankle sprain not a concern.
Devy Upside:Could be the 2027 RB1. Complete skillset in a high-powered offense. Major breakout candidate.
10. Rueben Owens II (Texas A&M, Junior)
NFL Traits: Elite lateral agility, acceleration, pass-catching ability. Former 5-star pedigree. Added 10 lbs of muscle (now ~215 lbs).
College Opportunity: Returns healthy after missing 11 games in 2024 with a Lisfranc foot fracture. A&M returns its entire starting OL. In a crowded room (Moss, Daniels), but his talent demands touches. OC Collin Klein expects him to be a “big difference-maker.”
2025 Outlook: Major injury return/bounce-back candidate. Flashed talent as a freshman (385 yards). Showed guts returning late in ’24 at 75-80%. Needs to stay healthy and carve out a consistent role. High upside if it clicks.
Devy Upside: High-risk, high-reward. The 5-star talent is there. A strong, healthy season could rebuild his draft stock significantly.
Summer Camp Focus:
• Health Monitoring: Baxter (knee), Owens (foot) are critical injury returns. Love’s hamstring/knee history needs watching.
• Role Clarity: Watch Young (Bama), Cabana (WMU), and Owens (A&M) to see how their roles solidify in camp. Baxter’s integration at Texas.
• Workload Projections: Confirmation of bell-cow roles for Love, Singleton, Haynes, and Taylor is key. Durham needs more touches at LSU.
• Breakout Confirmation: Haynes (Michigan), Young (Bama), Durham (LSU), Frazier (UGA), Cabana (WMU) have the clearest breakout paths – camp reports on their usage and performance are vital.
Prioritize elite traits married to massive opportunity (Love, Singleton, Haynes, Taylor). Stash high-upside talents in prime situations (Young, Durham, Frazier). Monitor key injury returns closely (Baxter, Owens). This list gives you the foundation to dominate your Devy leagues by targeting the future NFL workhorses developing right now on the college stage. Lock them in before the season starts and their value soars.
A: Devy (developmental) running back is a college football RB drafted onto a fantasy roster before they enter the NFL Draft. Devy leagues allow managers to stash college talent early and build rosters for long-term dynasty success.
3. Draft trajectory – target those who project as Day 1 or Day 2 NFL picks
Who is the top Devy RB in 2025?
Right now, Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) leads the pack. He checks every box — NFL speed, three-down skills, elite offensive line, and heavy volume in a playoff-contending system.
Which Devy RBs are breakout candidates this season?
Watch these names closely:
Justice Haynes (Michigan) – Bama transfer ready to explode
Richard Young (Alabama) – clear path with Haynes gone
Caden Durham (LSU) – big 2024, bigger 2025 expected
Nate Frazier (UGA) – top sophomore in the SEC
Cole Cabana (WMU) – athletic ceiling in a wide-open room
Which injured Devy RBs should I be cautious with?
Cedric Baxter Jr. (Texas) – missed all of 2024 with a knee injury
Rueben Owens II (Texas A&M) – Lisfranc foot fracture in 2024
Jeremiyah Love – not injured currently, but has past soft tissue flags
What’s the biggest mistake in Devy RB scouting?
Ignoring opportunity and scheme fit. A 5-star recruit stuck in a four-man committee may not return value. Prioritize:
